First and foremost, I would like to wish everyone a happy holiday, whatever it is that you are celebrating.  I celebrate Christmas and it was one of the most hectic ones ever!  So I hope that everyone has been having happy and healthy ones everywhere. 

One of the best Christmas gifts was watching the New Jersey Devils beat the red-hot Calgary Flames 1-0 in overtime on Sunday night.

The win capped a 2-1 Western Canada road trip against three Western Conference teams (Vancouver Canucks, Edmonton Oilers, and Calgary Flames).

The trip started out as a disaster and ended in jubilation as Patrik Elias one-timed a 2-on-1 feed from Brian Gionta into the back of the net for the suspenseful victory.

It looked as though the Devils were in trouble after a 5-0 trashing by the Vancouver Canucks, but whatever Coach Brent Sutter said to the team after that game really lit a fire under their asses.  The team rebounded and looked great against the Oilers in game two of the trip, especially in the third period, and the Calgary game was the perfect ending for the Devils' road trip.

By earning two out of the three wins and consequently four points, the Devils kept themselves atop the Atlantic Division, leaving everyone scratching their heads as to how the Devils keep winning.  It's simple, one word; systems.

Talking with New York Rangers fans tonight, while watching their game against the Carolina Hurricanes (a 4-2 win), the topic of conversation was not really on the game, but rather on the fact that the Devils keep winning with "no one" and "all role players."

One of those statements made by a misinformed Rangers fan was correct; "all role players."

Everyone knows his role on the Devils, which has translated into wins (nine straight at one point), and many of them (20 thus far).  This is the biggest difference from the beginning of the season when it looked as though they would have the worst year in a long time. (see: Pittsburgh's 5-0 win on Nov. 5 at Prudential Center)

That and having both the captain Jamie Langenbrunner and veteran stay-at-home defenseman Colin White back in the lineup.  With Langs on the second line, the Devils are 13-5-1.  White gives Martin Brodeur protection and adds a physical dimension to the Devils' style of play, which was lacking in October.

After a slow start, everything is starting to click at the right times.  Martin Brodeur is solid as a rock.  It also seems as though Elias has returned to his old ways, which is vital for the Devils.  Whether or not he wears the "C," he's been in New Jersey a long time, players young and old alike respect him, and he has the experience and tools to continue scoring and producing.

Maybe Elias is a captain in the locker room and off the ice but could not handle the pressure on the ice and prefers to keep a low profile during gametime.  That's his choice and he has looked much sharper lately.  No complaints.

Hopefully, the extended Christmas break (five days) and rare rest for the Devils will not break their stride (two-game win streak), as they host the always-dangerous Buffalo Sabres at the Prudential Center on Friday night.

Happy Holidays!

Be safe.

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