From Guest Blogger Ethan Kwassman, who has hosted many Devils broadcasts on blogtalkradio:

The New Jersey Devils started the 2007-8 season, on a nine-game three-week road trip, while away from the Prudential Center.  It is sufficient to say that they started out slow at 3-5-1 while first year coach Brent Sutter learned the ropes.  However, by the time mid-November had rolled around, and certain players returned from offseason injuries, the Devils stormed to a nine-game winning streak spanning two months (Nov. 17- Dec. 7).  They started to play the kind of hockey that fans of the red and black, are more familiar with.  Strong defense, timely scoring, and superb goaltending.

The Devils skate into the New Year (2008 for those of you already inebriated), riding the momentum of a 14-4-1 stretch, in which they are in familiar territory, as first-place holders of the very competitive Atlantic Division.  However, only five points separate the rabid pack.  The devils’ friends across the Hudson River, the NY Rangers, remain a point back (45-44), after a come-from-behind overtime win over Montreal last night.

Even as the gap shrinks closer than Michael Strahan’s front two teeth, the Devils players and organization members are preoccupied with planning a New Year, and will return to business as usual, as a new calendar year of hockey begins.  Like everyone else, they have problems to resolve.  Unlike most people, they also have a Stanley Cup to bring home to downtown Newark.

Here are my top 10 New Year's Resolutions for the New Jersey Devils:

10- GM Lou Lamoriello should send a special investigator to the Nassau Coliseum to inspect the ice.  It seems like every time this season the Devils travel to Long Island, they fall flat on their face... literally.  The Devils have lost by scores of 4-3 (OT), 2-1, and this past Saturday night’s 5-2 defeat.  The Islanders certainly have the Devils number this season, and have the only meeting of at the Rock (Prudential Center) by a score of 1-0.

9- Devils need to see play that is more consistent from Dainius Zubrus. The forward, who split last season between the Capitals and Sabres, has seen 16 minutes per game, but has only mustered 18 points (6 goals, 12 assists) in 38 games played.  The Devils signed him to replace Scott Gomez, but he has not proven so as of yet.

8- In the second half, they need to reverse the records against the New York rivals or schedule more games with teams located in the state of Pennsylvania. The Devs are 0-5-3 combined versus the Islanders and Rangers, but are 6-2-0 versus the Flyers and Penguins. This will at least provide somebody with breathing room in the sardine-packed (not sure why Sardines) Atlantic Division.

7- If Devils desire to find a replacement for Brian Rafalski, don't look towards the young, inexperienced duo of Mike Mottau and Johnny Oduya. Rather, Coach Brent Sutter should mix and match on power plays and give some more opportunities to captain Jamie Langenbrunner and Travis Zajac, who if you remember, originally came to New Jersey to fill the void left by Scott Niedermeyer's departure. The Devils do not commit many penalties, but other teams do, and the Devils 28^th-ranked power play does not help their cause either.

6- Zack Parise needs to continue to shoot the puck on net.  He has paced the Devils with 37 points (16 goals, 21 assists), but he needs to blast more pucks towards goaltenders.  Hey, I'm not saying that Parise should turn into a Brendan Shanahan, but the Devils take 28 shots per game, not nearly enough for scoring success on the man advantage or on even strength.  Parise needs to continue to score and add to his 16 goals, which place him 24^th in the league.

5- Bruce Sutter should begin to advocate full skating practice (morning that is, assuming no travel problems; see Tom Gulitti) on back-to-back games.  He was not a big advocate of that principle in the beginning of this season and it has come back to bite the Devils in the buttocks.  They are 3-3-1 in the second half of a back-to-back, not good for building momentum on the rest of the season.

4- Arron Asham needs to put his NY Islanders days and skates in the past and play like a New Jersey Devils player.  We have seen too many unsportsmanlike penalties and an inefficient effort from the forward, which has taken away from what he can bring to the organization.

3- The Devils equipment manager should see if he has any special skates in the locker room available for John Oduya, who seems to be always slipping and sliding when he is on the ice. Balance and coordination are very important for a young defenseman to be successful in clearing pucks out of the neutral zone.  Or, they can convince Scott Stevens to rejoin the organization as an assistant coach.  Either way…

2- Can somebody buy a 24 pack of protein bars for #26? Yes, Patrik Elias needs to get this offense pumped up.  I am not asking for another 96-point season for the veteran yet expensive Devils offenseman, but eight goals are unacceptable.  Outside of the NY Islanders and Phoenix Coyotes, Devils have scored the fewest goals in the league. Yeah, I knew its slim pickings with the Devils on O, and a joy on D, but c’mon now.

But, how much longer is Martin Brodeur going to continue this string of dominant performances?  And, besides, we have seen him tire in some select games during the season.

1- Have a Happy and Healthy New Year Martin Brodeur.  You are a 35-year-old Canadian man of steel. You have 500 career wins, you are on pace to smash more of Patrick Roy's records, and have already added two more shutouts to your illustrious resume this season. Sit back, enjoy the outdoor hockey game between Pittsburgh and Buffalo on New Year's Day, and prepare for the Florida Panthers (18-18-3) this upcoming Wednesday night at the Prudential Center.

I wish everyone a Happy & Healthy New Year.  Brodeur is in a league of his own, as we all know. I hope everyone enjoyed my post for Devils Daily, and I will see everyone Next Year, and of course...

Go Devils!

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