John Madden

• Devils Best Player in February: John Madden- Globe and Mail writer and blogger James Mirtle lists the top performers in the month of February, which you can also find on Sportsnet.ca. With 15 points, Devils offenseman Patrik Elias just made the list. However, one should note his disparity in goals scored (3) and assists produced (12), tied with four others for third place overall. The Devils also dominated the plus minus rating. They maintained four of the five top ratings, including Elias' league-leading plus 13,  Paul Martin's
• And They're Off...- The Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference has never been so exciting. As of right now the New Jersey Devils sit atop both the division and the conference, but as we all know, this could change over night with the Pittsburgh Penguins only one point behind the Devils. The New York Rangers are also playing some of their best hockey of the season, making the task of winning the division that much harder.

  The

• Madden Wins it in Overtime; Devils Gain Sole Possession of Eastern Conference Lead- John Madden tucked in a shot underneath Brent Johnson's pads with 50 seconds left in overtime, giving New Jersey a 2-1 win and sole possession of the Eastern Conference lead for the first time since April 8. 2001. Despite being outplayed throughout the majority of the contest, the Devils earned their fifth consecutive win and seventh in eight games (7-0-1). Washington outshot New Jersey 28-10 for the first 40 minutes of play, but the Devils hung tight, going into the third period scoreless.
• Devils Visit Nation's Capital- The Devils return to the Nation's Capital this afternoon for a showdown with the Washington Capitals. Both teams are in the midst of the second half of a back-to-back stretch. Whereas the Devils earned their first win of the season over the Islanders yesterday, handing them a 4-2 loss, the Capitals fell to their division rival Hurricanes 6-3. While the Devils have been succeeding with a balanced roster and dominant goaltender (what else is new), the Capitals
• Devils Finally Conquer Islanders; Extend Point Streak to 7- Maybe, Sutter's family should move to New Jersey permanently. After attending the last contest, a 3-2 Devils win, the Sutters, made another appearance, watching the Devils first win in six tries over the Islanders this season over head coach Brent's former team. Alongside a rare sellout crowd of 17,625, the Sutters and Co. witnessed the 4-2 effort

  Trailing 1-0 after eight minutes of action, the Devils responded valiantly, utilizing a brilliant

• Devils Take Bite Out of Sharks-

  John Madden gave New Jersey their first lead and Sergei Brylin delivered the knockout punch, defeating San Jose 3-2 and sending the Sharks to their fifth straight loss. After a scoreless first period, the Sharks took the 1-0 lead, taking advantage of a Vitaly Vishnevksi penalty 35 seconds into the middle frame.  However, the Devils scored the next three goals, all in the second, including Madden and Brylin’s 1:10 apart, before a late Kyle McLaren tally in the third, finishing the count.

• Was Madden for Holik Trade Ever Feasible?- Apparently, the Devils considered trading longtime center John Madden for Bobby Holik before this season started. At least that's what ESPN.com NHL Columnist Scott Burnside reported. I apologize about not responding to Burnside's article, which was published over two weeks ago. It must have slipped my mind, considering the shit that's been going on lately. I don't even know where to start. From cheaters Roger Clemens and Indiana men's basketball
• Game 47: Devils Return to Philadelphia, Visit High-Flying Flyers-

  The New Jersey Devils have struggled recently, winning one of three during their most recent homestand.  Tonight, they leave the Garden State for Pennsylvania, the "Keystone State."  The Devils visit the storming Philadelphia Flyers winners in 7 of their last 8 games, the only loss coming in an overtime to Boston.
  

• Around the Devils Blogosphere- 01.21.08- Since fellow New Jersey Devils bloggers focused their eyes and ears on the New York Giants 23-20 thrilling NFC Championship win over Green Bay following the Patriots win over San Diego, the posts were shorter than usual, as expected.
• Mad Dog Back With a Vengeance, Devils End Two-Game Skid-

  The New Jersey Devils knew they were missing the services of John Madden, but until tonight, they did not know how much.

  Madden scored two goals, the second held up to be the eventual game-winner, as the Devils held off the Toronto Maple Leafs, 3-2, in front of 15,291 at the Prudential Center.

• Devils Health and Broadcast Report-

  The New Jersey Devils enter tonight's fourth meeting of the season against the Florida Panthers as one of the healthiest teams in the league.  There I said it.  You might hate me for saying this, but it's the truth.  Only Jay Pandolfo remains on injured reserve with his ligament injury.  Relative to the rest of the NHL, that is good news for the Devils, who are battling for the divisional lead.

• Devils Host Florida Without Madden and Pandolfo-

  For only the second time in the last eight years, the New Jersey Devils will host the Florida Panthers Friday night without two of its best defensive forwards.  While Jay Pandolfo is still nursing a pelvic bone ligament he suffered on Nov. 28, linemate John Madden will miss the fourth meeting between these two teams this season with a laceration on the inside of his right ankle dating back to Jan. 11(TG).

• Devils Notes From Past Week, Late-Night Statistics III-

  While I was on vacation, the New Jersey Devils went 2-1.  They were victorious  in both road contests before falling at home to the NY Islanders last night.  I am sure that everyone wants to know how London was, but, more importantly, we need to discuss the Devils current events.  A lot has taken place, including John Madden’s leg injury, special teams updates, shots on goal and the Prudential Center’s attendance figures.

• Devils Battle Atlantic Division Rival Flyers Tonight at Prudential Center- At this point last season, the New Jersey Devils entered the New Year with a 47-26 double-digits lead in points over their Turnpike rivals Philadelphia Flyers.  While the Devils were on their way to another Atlantic Division crown, the Flyers could not wait for the season to end and to clear house (they fired GM, coach, involved themselves in several large transactions during the offseason).
• Atlantic Division: New Year's Eve Update- In early November, the New Jersey Devils faced their Atlantic Division opponents in nine consecutive games.  They went 4-1 against Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, but 0-3-1 against the New York Rangers and Islanders. 
• Devils Power Up in Practice-

  The New Jersey Devils completed the post-Christmas weekend at 1-1 yet remain in first place in the Atlantic Division.  Unlike earlier this season, where head coach Brent Sutter may have given his team a day off after playing two games in 48 hours, tis was not the case in this morning's practice. 

   
• Devils-Panthers Broadcast Info and Line Changes-

  The Devils host Florida tonight at the Prudential Center.  If you are not attending this contest (shame on you), catch it on FSNY, WFAN 660AM, or NHL radio. By the way, tickets are still available, but the names of back of the Devils' jerseys may seem unfamiliar at first.
  

• New Jersey Devils Captain- If Not Elias, Then Who?- Over a week ago, head coach Brent Sutter revealed that he is unsure if Patrik Elias will remain as team captain this upcoming season.  If Jamie Langenbrunner were to replace Elias, that plan might have to be delayed. He went for surgery on his injured groin and will be sidelined for up to two months.
  
• Islanders Score Three in Final Period, Hold Down Fort against the Devils-

  Just when it looked like New Jersey was back in this game, the Islanders responded with two goals in an important 3:19 span of the third period.  New York added an empty netter in the final minute to defeat the Devils, 5-2, their fourth consecutive win over their division rivals this season.

• The North American Hockey League-

  In 2000-1, there were 36 rookies from Canada, 4 from the United States, and 33 from Europe in the National Hockey League.  The tables have definitely turned since that season (See below), especially with the rise in U.S.A Hockey (Devils Still Looking Good Despite Loss...-

  I was fortunate enough to attend last night’s contest at Madison Square Garden between the New Jersey Devils and their arch-rival New York Rangers.  By now, any genuine Devils fan or supporter knows that the Rangers won 1-0 in overtime.  I still feel the Devils looked impressive despite not

• Devils Lose To Capitals, Snaps 10-Game Point Streak-

  Playing in the nation’s capital for the first time this season, the New Jersey Devils were defeated by the Washington Capitals 3-2.  In better news, Bill shares his thoughts on the New Jersey Devils Ice Hockey Program.