No offense, a weak defensive corpse, an inability to beat a team who was without seven starters. Lately, that's how it's been going for the New Jersey Devils. People are calling for a trade, release, something to my dear friend defenseman Johnny Oduya. His recent nickname Johnny Oh-No-Duya is indicative that he's Oh-No fan friendly in New Jersey. Why single out Oduya who's making $600K this season and not Elias and his $7.5 million or Gionta's $4 million, our supposed top guns? Why not focus on all eight defensemen who have combined for merely 11 goals & 62 assists? I will enlighten everyone with what I believe is causing the Devils to self-destruct at such a critical junction in the season. Welcome to Late Night Statistics IV.

Depending who you ask, statistics are very important in professional sports. Critics crucify NHL clubs who cannot score on the power play, or score even strength for that matter. Rightfully so.

After last night, the Devils remain near the bottom of the barrel in several statistical areas, individually and as a team.

Let me explain.

Lately, New Jersey has been able to score on the power play. Last night, they scored on the man advantage for the third straight game. The result: a 4-2 loss to Pittsburgh.

Otherwise, here is a list of each month’s games in which NJ has been able to score on the power play.

October: 3-3

November: 5-0

December: 4-0

January: 5-3

Very solid numbers. That’s a 17-6 record. But, really, those numbers are a little bit inflated. This month the Devils have lost two straight even though they manufactured thrice on the power play. Stop giving up leads gosh darnit!!!

When the Devils (28-19-3) do not score on the power play, they are 11-13-3. Yikes. I’d say GM Lou Lamoriello needs a point man, if not yesterday, then definitely before the trade deadline.

The Devils may rely on penalty killing. They are 17-13-1 when an opponent manages a power play goal. Remember, New Jersey kills off penalties with Rod Pelley and John Madden up front, not Madden and Jay Pandolfo. That record is definitely different and probably improved with Madden and Pandolfo at full strength.

October: 4-5-1

November: 4-2-0

December: 4-3-0

January: 5-3-0

After the early record tying nine game road trip, New Jersey has managed to overcome special teams deficiencies en route to a solid record. But, they remain one of the worst teams statistically in these aforementioned areas, specifically SCORING.

Special Teams Rankings:

Devils Power Play: 21st, 16.2%

Penalty Killing: 12th, 83.3%

PM: 594, 27^th… many inexcusable third period infractions, lame hooking and slashing penalties

Shots on Goal: 28.3, 18th

SOG Allowed: 26.9, 6th

The Devils are a strong defensive team as seen by their shots on goal allowed per game. But, they cannot put the rubber puck into the net. Elias, Gionta, Parise, Dainius Zubrus, Langenbrunner, Zajac, Madden, Clarkson, Brylin, Asham, Pelley, and Rupp. I just called out nearly every forward and center. Nobody has earned a paycheck for offensive production, consistency.

Scoring Droughtsà Focus: January except Elias and Zajac

Patrik Elias, one of the league’s most expensive players, has stepped up production. He is tied with Zajac for the team lead in January points with 6G 5A. He also leads the league with a remarkable seven game-winning goals.

Travis Zajac: 6G 5A this month, second hottest Devils skater behind Elias, who I must remind you, will be here for a long time. Zajac makes less than a million, Elias $7.5 million.

Zach Parise: Jan. 2- Presentà 2G, both on Jan. 22 at Philadelphia… we signed him to a

Brian Gionta: Jan. 2- Presentà 2G, zero since Jan. 10, 7-game dry spell

Jamie Langenbrunner: 3G in Jan., 8G in 32 games since returning from off season surgery for our captain

John Madden: 2G this month, both on Jan. 20 in his successful return against Toronto, otherwise more zeros for the defensive-minded center…

Zubrus: 8G 16A for newly signed free agent, on pace for a whopping 13G this season

David “wrap-around” Clarksonà scored 1G 3A this month, 6-game goal-less streak

Honorable Mention:

Brylin: 9pts in 50 games, RETIRE

Asham: 8pts in 48 games, what a pathetic off season FA signing

Pelley: 6pts in 50 games, hard worker on penalty kill, valuable asset

Rupp: 2G, 0A in 32 gamesà hadn’t scored since March 2007, can he sustain this rare offensive outburst? Not likely.

Defensively, all eight guys covering the blue line have struggled. You wanna blame Oduya? Fine. But, I can name seven others who have deserved a Raspberry Award for worst performance. Especially considering the money White and Martin are making. Then again, Vishnevski and Rachunek are also overpaid in my opinion.

Paul Martin: 46GP 3G 17A 20PTS +7 14PMà our best defenseman offensively and defensively. He leads the D-men in goals, assists, and has committed the fewest penalties. Then again, he’s earning three million this season. He’s 37th with the 20 points scored.

Johhny Oduya: 43GP 2G 11A 13PTS +8 34PMà Is Oduya a liability? Yes, of course. But, is he is any worse than the others? I don’t think so.

Mike Mottau: 45GP 2G 11A 13PTS -3à five assists this month, not much else from 29-year-old playing for his fourth organization

Karel Rachunek 33GP 1G 8A 9PTS +6 36PMà

Andy Greene 44GP 2G 6A 8PTS +3 18PMà Fans and writers question his mental toughness. Considering the Devils recent collapses, I would start the rookie instead of Vishnevski and many other veterans.

Sheldon Brookbank: waiver pickup, 26GP 0G 4A 4PTS +2 44PMà has not played much the Devils signed him off waivers. Brookbank has not contributed much more than a few entertaining fights in December.

Vitaly Vishnevksi: 49GP 1G 2A 3PTS -9 30PMà signed in the off season to help replace Rafalski’s departure. His -9 is the worst on the club an he’s got the sixth-most penalty minutes. Lamoriello is 0-for-the-century this past season. Everything has turned to gold shit for Sweet Lou. And the Devils have the 28th-ranked future prospects. Their top prospect is ranked 34th.

Colin White: 30GP 0G 3A 3PTS -5 10PMà I can easily criticize White for his lack of hustle especially considering he’s making three million buckaroos. He’s not in Elias’ shoes, making top 25 dollars. And, White almost lost vision in his right eye. But, if you play you play to win. I havent seen that in White this season.

Although they may have struggled recently, the Devils are still within a few points of the divison leader Philadelphia Flyers. With a huge trade before the deadline, they may be able to overtake the Flyers and Penguins and earn another Divsision Title. If they don't make a trade, I cannot see them going past the first round of the playoffs. It's that simple. They don't have the talent or depth to advance past Montreal, Pittsburgh, and even the NY Rangers, who visit Prudential Center on Friday night.

I hope New Jersey proves me wrong.

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