The New Jersey Devils, who are hosting the Toronto Maple Leafs at 5 o'clock, did not expect the New York football Giants to be playing today at 6:30.  To accommodate Devils and Giants fans, myself one of them, the Prudential Center will broadcast the Gmen's NFC Championship Game on TVs throughout the arena and the Bud Light Goal Bar, Restaurant, and Fire and Ice Lounges will stay open for the entire NFC title game in Green Bay.

"See the Devils live, then stick around post game to catch the remainder of the Giants game on the arena's 30-ft. center scoreboard. In addition, post game drink specials and food service will be available," the Devils organization announced on the team website yesterday.

In the meanwhile, New Jersey must forget about the Giants (until the game is over) and worry about the Maple Leafs and their three-game win streak and the Devils two-game losing streak, at home no less.

Today’s second meeting versus the Leafs will also take place in the Prudential Center where the Devils have a 13-7-0 record thus far.

While the Devils have struggled to score lately, manufacturing two goals in the last two games, both inexcusable defeats, the Leafs, on the other hand, have tallied 12 goals in their last three games, all victories.

Even with a strong performance by goalie Martin Brodeur, who made some phenomenal saves in the Devils 2-1 loss to Florida on Friday night, his teammates produced zilch on the power play.

Since the Devils went 0-5 on the man advantage for the second straight game (0-5 vs. NY Islanders on Wed. night, also a 3-1 loss), head coach Brent Sutter frustratingly altered his offensive line pairings.

Newcomer Dainius Zubrus, Patrik Elias and Brian Gionta will have new linemates against Toronto with Brodeur in net (most likely until the All-Star break).

Tom Gulitti of the Bergen Record reported that after Sutter criticized the play of the three players, he separated the trio in practice.  

“He (Sutter) moved Gionta to the checking line with Sergei Brylin and Madden and replaced Gionta with David Clarkson. Assuming Madden plays, Brylin, Madden and Gionta will likely play head to head against Mats Sundin's line.”

Due to the starting times, the Devils have allowed fans to watch the football playoffs on TVs in the arena.  When the game is over, fans will be able to order food and continue watching until the conclusion of the Giants conference championship meeting with the Green Bay Packers.

I hope that there will be nice crowd at the Prudential Center in a few hours, but considering the situation, beggars can't be choosers.

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