The Devils have rebounded in a hurry, winning two straight after dropping three consecutive games due to inefficient and unbalanced scoring. Zach Parise's three goals in the last two games and Patrik Elias' "Mr. Overtime" status have carried the Devils into the Eastern Conference lead with a matchup in Toronto tonight. In fact, the Devils visited the Leafs this past week, earning a 4-1 decision, which also snapped their mired slump. The Leafs rebounded from that defeat with an 8-2 crushing of Boston, keeping their postseason hopes alive. They scored four power play tallies in that win, yet remain 6 points behind Philadelphia for the eighth and final seed in the east. Bryan McCabe added one goal and three assists in the victory.

Last night, New Jersey hosted last place Tampa at the Prudential Center. The Devils jumped out to an early 1-0 lead on Zach Parise's tally, before the Lightning tied it up with a power play goal in the second. But, Elias converted in overtime for the 14th time in his career, sending the Lightning to yet another defeat and the Devils and the 15,670 fans into a frenzy. With the win, the Devils improved their conference-best home record to 22-12-1, third overall in the NHL.

The Lightning barely challenged Martin Brodeur, who made 21 saves last night and will start for the 28th consecutive game tonight.

Tonight also commences the beginning of the Devils important five-game road trip. With their 17-11-5 road record, I feel confident that Marty and the Jersey Boys can handle a desperate Leafs club that would have liked to "sell" at the trade deadline but couldn't due to the "no-trade clauses" assigned to their top players.

With Montreal and Pittsburgh idle for a second straight day, the Devils maintain an opportunity to capture points 85 and 86, placing them three ahead of the Habs and Penguins. Regardless, the Devils must continue their recent offensive surge and not overrelying on Brodeur, who has rescued them on more than once occasion this season.

That became more difficult when defenseman Colin White left last night's contest with an upper body injury, his status unknown. Paul Martin has also missed the last three games with an injury, potentially leaving the Devils without their top two blueliners for tonight's contest.

Nevertheless, if Gio, Elias and Parise can put some points up on the boards and Brodeur patrolling the cage, the Devils remain a viable threat for their first Prince of Wales Trophy since their 2003 Championship run and bring home Lord Stanley to the city of Newark.

Weird, ay?

 

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