The New Jersey Devils definitely slept well last night.  Even though they lost to Boston on Jan. 5, they looked at the standings and realized they remained in first place.  Despite injuries and offseason departures, they have managed to hold down the fort for the first half of the 2007-08 campaign.  They have done so with timely scoring, superior goaltending, and the addition of some new arrivals.

On the other hand, Buffalo visits the Devils’ state-of-the-art Prudential Center for the second time in two weeks, (soon to be third meeting when the Devils pay a visit to HSBC Arena this upcoming weekend).  While the Devils have sole possession of the Atlantic Division by a single point over Pittsburgh, the Sabres are mired in a six-game losing streak and fighting to to make the postseason.

Unlike the Devils, the Sabres have not been able to overcome the offseason free agency period, injuries, despite leading New Jersey in scoring (120 - 101) and having recorded better numbers on special teams (18.3 to 14.1 percent PP efficiency).

The Devils enter tonight’s 7:00 p.m. tip-off with a division-leading 23-15-3 mark, which includes wins in eight of their last nine home games at the Prudential Center.

After receiving a rare night off, goaltender Martin Brodeur will start against the Sabres.  He backstopped the Devils to their only win over Buffalo with 26 saves in regulation, stopped all three skaters in the shootout period, and is coming off one of his best performances of the season.

This past Friday night, Brodeur stopped all 36 Philadelphia Shots, en route to his fourth shutout of the season and only seven away from tying the all-time mark.

The Devils were not as successful in Boston last game with a rusty backup Kevin Weekes between the pipes.  Then again, Weekes only started once in the month of December (10th) and could not have been expected to look as sharp as Toronto Raptors head coach Sam Mitchell during games.

Besides, the Devils 4-3 loss could be summed up in one word: Shots.  They took 45 shots on Bruins’ netminder Tim Thomas, including 20 in the third frame.  Yet, they managed one goal in the last 20 minutes, which also included three power plays.

Patrik Elias, who makes a lot of money, has shown signs of his old self lately.  He has six points in his last five games, which were separated by a strained groin.

Another forward Travis Zajac has a three-game point streak (2G 1A) and captain Jamie Langenbrunner also scored three points in his last three games.  But, nobody has scored consistently other than Brian Gionta's sixgame point streak back in November.

Hearye!

The Devils finally lost a game in regulation when they scored at least three goals  and are possess a 20-1-1 mark.  They were perfect in regulation until they faced Boston, which scored three first-period tallies and held on for dear life in the final seconds.

If only they could own the Rangers and Islanders, who stand in the Devils' way.

Power Play:

While the Devils have manufactured one power play goal in each of the last three games, they remain 26th in the league.  They are 15-3 when scoring at least once on the man advantage this season.  Keep on trucking.

Although they have been successful recently, the Devils continued to work on their power play in practice yesterday morning.

“Although the Devils have scored a power-play goal in three consecutive games, they again dedicated a large portion of today's practice to the power play,” Bergen Record Devils Beat Writer Tom Guliti said.

“Rachunek worked the left point on one of the units with Mike Mottau at the other point and Dainius Zubrus, Patrik Elias and Brian Gionta up front. Zach Parise, Travis Zajac, Jamie Langenbrunner, Johnny Oduya and Paul Martin comprised the other unit” (TG).

In addition, they welcomed back two skaters to practice and the ice in general.  Defenseman Karel Rachunek, who missed the last six games with an ankle injury, may play against Buffalo after partaking in Monday morning’s practice.

“Defenseman Karel Rachunek practiced with the team this morning for the first time in a week and it appears possible that he will play in Tuesday night's home game against Buffalo,” said Guliti on his blog.  Rachunek described his status as "day to day."

Iron man Jay Pandolfo skated for the third or fourth time since suffering a ligament-related pubic bone area injury on Nov. 28 against Dallas.  Pandolfo felt good, but is not close to returning, according to Guliti’s blog.  The Devils are targeting Pandolfo's return sometime after the all-star break (later this month).

Buffalo has not been able to sustain the same success thus far.

During the offseason, Buffalo’s co-captains departed via free agency for wealth.  While Daniel Briere, who I feel is overrated, signed with Philadelphia for many millions, Chris Drury negotiated a juicy, fat sandwich contract with the NY Rangers, also in the multi-millions.

Maybe, both of them did not partake in the annual North American Roller Hockey Championships when they were younger.  Their loss.

Or, can it be the goalies’ pads are too big and impossible to score on?  You be the judge.

Buffalo has lost six straight, including the game at New Jersey and the Winter Classic, which Bill joyfully attended.

Their power play, which ranks 13th, is 2-21 during this winless debacle.  In the 2005-06 season, they also lost six consecutive games, but not until March, at which point, they were 44-16-5, before the losing occurred.  Last year, their longest losing streak was three games, on two separate occasions.  Then again, Briere scored 95 points and was a key contributor to the success of Thomas Vanek.

Vanek resigned with the organization, but he did not come cheap.  He signed a seven-year $50 million contract to remain in Buffalo, after Edmonton signed him to an offer sheet, which the Sabres matched.  They were desperate after losing Briere, Drury, and Dainius Zubrus to the Devils.

To make matters worse, Buffalo, which is 19-18-3 and in 11th place in the Eastern Conference, is ailing.

Toni Lydman (flu-like symptoms), Tim Connolly (bodily soreness), Derek Roy (Shoulder), Maxim Afinogenov (strained groin) and Daniel Paille (concussion) are injured.

Paille and Afinogenov will not play, Lydman is questionable, and Connolly will play.  Roy is day-to-day.

Goaltender Ryan Miller has been very inconsistent thus far, even though he lost three games during the current streak, in which the Sabres merely scored three goals (two shutout losses).  Miller is still on the hot seat for allowing at least four goals 10 times in 37 appearances.  His 17-15-3 record does not serve him justice.  He has a 2.61 goals against, 22nd, and a .908SV%, 22nd among league leaders.

As Buffalo sinks beneath its winter snow, New Jersey has risen from last place to second in the east behind Ottawa, which can be attributed to their success at the new arena.

This success has landed first-year head coach Brent Sutter a spot on the All-Star team.

Sidney Crosby, Chara, and Martin Brodeur received the most votes for their positions and will join Sutter in Atlanta for the 2008 NHL All-Star Weekend, which I discussed earlier.

After Buffalo, the Devils will travel to Carolina, which went 6-8-0 in December and has gone 1-3-1 in its last five.  Following the Hurricanes, Buffalo hosts New Jersey, before a small break.  Then the Devils play a huge stretch, 15 of 18, at the Rock.

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