Position by position breakdown of Super Bowl XLII between the Giants and Patriots:

Quarterback:

Patriots: Tom Brady

Giants: Eli Manning

Despite a fancy new arena, the Devils are still struggling to capture large audiences.  Last night was a prime example. An announced attendance of 13,595 filled the Prudential Center doors. It's not the first time this season and historically the Devils were unable to fill merely 80 percent of their seats. Hopefully, it's the last time though as each upcoming game is critical to New Jersey's postseason chances.

The Devils have celebrated their three Stanley Cup Trophies with a ticker-tape parade through New York City parking lot parade.

The New Jersey Devils are starting to play like the team that most critics expected. As Jeremy pointed out, in his very accurate piece on the Devils progress so far, they cannot put the puck in the net, as expected. During a stretch spanning November and early December, the Devils seemed almost unbeatable, going 9-0.

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?

­If the Devils ought to win the Atlantic Division, they must not lose focus. They must not allow divisional foes to come back from two separate one-goal leads. When Pittsburgh visited the Prudential Center after the All Star break, the Penguins were lacking their own firepower. Penguins captain Sidney Crosby crashed into the boards in mid-January and will miss 6-8 weeks with a high ankle sprain. The Devils had a lead not once but twice, before collapsing late in the second period, eventually losing 4-2.

Football may be dominating the headlines, but there has been quite a bit of action thus far in the MLB off season.  A-ROD resigned with the Yankees for 10 years, the World Champion Red Sox kept Mike Lowell, and the Twins continue to dangle ace Johan Santana, hoping that a team will meet their asking price.

Watch the Devils tackle mighty Pittsburgh minus Sidney Crosby. The game is at 7 pm on FSNY HD, WFAN 660 AM with a 30-minute preview at 6:30 p.m. Jamie Langenbrunner, whom I did not mention as ill against Philadelphia, apparently got sick but played against Montreal two nights later. He did not practice on Monday and will miss Tuesday's game, Tom

The Devils are back in action on Tuesday night. They host the Penguins at the Prudential Center at 7 o'clock. Beginning with the pregame show at 6:30 pm, the discussion will likely focus on Devils goalie Martin Brodeur and head coach Brent Sutter. Brodeur was absent from the All Star Game, resting his 35-year-old body with his children. Sutter returned home to Deer Park, Alberta to spend time with his family as well.

Martin Brodeur is 35 years old. He is a 13-year veteran goalie. In the NHL, this is unheard of, less for Hasek, Roy, and a few others. This season, critics did not expect Marty to perform like a warrior, like a three-time Stanley Cup Trophy winner. But, that's exactly how Brodeur has turned out thus far. He has dispelled any rumors of wear and tear that affect professional athletes by rendering highlight-reel performances. Is Marty’s clock ticking? Maybe, but he’s not lost a beat.

Whether it was the game-winner by Marc Savard, the hat trick by Rick Nash, or the MVP truck awarded to Eric Staal, the Eastern Conference sent a message to the West come playoff time. Despite the absence of Sidney Crosby and the New Jersey Devils from the Eastern Conference's star-studded lineup, they were still able to come away with the 8-7 victory.

The NHL will open the 2008-09 season in Europe, NHL.com reported. The players’ organization has yet to ratify the league's decision, which will affect four eastern conference teams. I apologize about not posting this story two days ago, when it was first announced. I just returned from winter vacation and I had to revert to my academia. The league will attempt to replicate its success with Anaheim and Los Angeles opening the current season with two games in London.

Ever watch fights in other leagues?  This one from a Finnish league got over a few thousand views on Youbtube last week.

In the NCAA D-I men’s basketball, there is parity.  Apparently in tennis as well.  There may be “popular” powerhouses comparable to tennis' Federer, but after Saturday’s scoreboard, only numbers one and two, Memphis and Kansas, remained undefeated, unblemished and unperturbed by their opposition.

What a two weeks it has been.  We just witnessed some of the best tennis in the Australian Open.  Serbian-born Novak Djokovic earned his first Grand Slam Title last night, defeating unranked Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in four sets.  Down an early set, Djokovic came-from-behind 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 7-6 (7-2) to capture the 2008 Australian Open men's singles title.  Getting to the finals was not an easy task for the No.

The New Jersey Devils had just defeated their archrival Philadelphia Flyers, 7-3, supported by a season-high five power play goals.  That lasted two more periods though as Montreal quickly and painfully ripped apart the Devils' weak defensive corps.  The Canadiens entered last night as clear underdogs, having last won in New Jersey on Feb. 5, 2002, nearly six years ago.  The Canadiens were 1-7-2 before their come-from-behind 4-3 win over NJ, behind a three-goal third period.

I pride myself on being more than the fan of a particular team; if I am a fan of a particular sport, I love the sport first, the team second. Despite being a New England Patriots fan, I try to view events in the NFL as objectively as possible. However, I am confused by the lack of respect shown to the Patriots for their accomplishments this year. Don’t get me wrong—people have given the Patriots their “props” for the unblemished 18-0 start.

Johnny Oduya, who had a career high four points in the Devils 7-3 showing over the Flyers, doesn't think that the All-Star Game will interrupt momentum they recently generated.

While the New Jersey Devils look to increase their Atlantic Division lead tonight when they host the Canadiens tonight, the New York Rangers have their own business to handle.  Tonight they will honor one of their greats, raising defenseman Brian Leetch’s No. 2 jersey to the rafters.

The 2008 NHL All-Star Weekend is already underway in Atlanta, GA.  The sold out events have been absolutely phenomenal.  Later tonight, check out the Dodge/ NHL SuperSkills competition at 7pm televised on Versus.  The Eastern and Western Conference All-Stars will battle for bragging rights on Sunday at 6pm.  Versus, CBC, RDS and NHL Radio will broadcast the 56th Annual All Star Game at Phillips Arena in Atlanta.  Have f

Hmmm...  I mentioned Devils and scoring rampage in the same sentence or title for that matter.  It's the truth.  On Tuesday the New Jersey Devils pounded seven goals on their Atlantic Division rivals, led by defenseman Johnny Oduya's career high four point night.  Tonight, they hope to make some more magic on the ice when the Montreal Canadiens come to town, downtown Newark that is.  The last time the Habs visited, they left wondering how to stop All-Star snub Zach Paris

There are three types of forwards usually found on NHL teams: the grinder, play maker and goal scorer.  Let me explain all three to you, while Jeremy discussed the Devils UFAs already.  Don't jump the gun.  Then there is Alexander Ovechkin, who may in fact comprise all three genres.  If there is an Oscar for best NHL player, he may win it.  Yep, he's that good.

I have researched the list of the New Jersey Devils unrestricted free agents after the 2007-08 campaign.  There are only two players that I am overtly concerned with, winger Jay Pandolfo and defenseman Karel Rachunek.  Pandolfo, 32, earned roughly $836,000 this year but has been out of commission since Nov. 28 with a pelvic/abdomen injury.  Before suffering the injury, Pandolfo scored 13 points in 24 games and was on pace to easily surpass his career high in goals and points.

End of the day updates.  NJD, Sid the Kid, All Star Game INS and OUTS, NHL Trade Deadline rumors.  Lots to discuss, not much time to discuss them.  Time flies when I’m having fun.

I apologize for being misinformed.  Contrary to popular belief, the New Jersey Devils will not have any representatives in this year's All Star Game.  Head coach Brent Sutter and Martin Brodeur were selected respectively for their achievements thus far; however both men will not participate in the event.  Brodeur informed GM Lou Lamoriello last week, who finally announced his decision to the media today.  Devils beat writer Tom Gulit

Philadelphia - The New Jersey Devils entered tonight's meeting with Philadelphia as the lowest scoring team in the NHL, also ranked 28th on the power play.  They left the City of Brotherly Love with seven goals, five on the power play, tying a team-record, in their 7-3 win.  Zach Parise, who, reportedly, will be added to the Eastern Conference All Star roster, snapped a 9-goal drought with two marks and Johnny Oduya had the first multi-point game of his career, as

The New Jersey Devils will have a representative in the upcoming All Star Game, Tom Gulitti reported on his blog.  Gulitti said that Devils GM Lou Lamoriello has not revealed who will head to Atlanta, but Zach Parise is the likely candidate.  He leads the team in goals, assists and points, plus minus, power play goals and power play assists entering tonight's critical matchup at Philadelphia.

The New Jersey Devils travel to Philadelphia for a crucial matchup with the Flyers tonight.  The game is on FSNY HD and broadcasted on WFAN 660AM for those in the car, like Gabi Secempski who attended the Patriots AFC Championship Game on Sunday, although his Giants-Packers prediction did not hold water.  Then again, the majority of fans and oddsmakers believed the Packers would win by seven.  He’s a Patriots fan and I hope his pick for t

The New Jersey Devils learned last week that goalie Martin Brodeur will not start in the upcoming All Star Game.  He will start tonight in Philadelphia, which I discussed here.  The NHL made the official announcement today, replacing him with Tim Thomas.  The Eastern Conference management, which includes Devils rookie coach Brent Sutter has not determined who will start in his place.  Then again, Sutter himself may not participate in the game,

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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.

Before I recap the games, I must applaud the fans for both Championship Games--to the 68,756 in Foxboro for the Patriots-Chargers AFC Title Game, and the 72,740 in Green Bay for the Packers-Giants NFC Title Game. I was in attendance for the Patriots-Chargers game, sitting in section 307, row 15, and it was miserably cold. Despite wearing three pairs of socks, two sweatpants, thermals, a winter hat, gloves and heavy coat, the cold and wind shook me to my core.

The Pittsburgh Penguins placed Sidney Crosby on injured reserve, after he suffered a high ankle sprain in Friday night's 3-0 loss to Tampa Bay.  Crosby will miss 7-8 weeks, according to the Pittsburgh Sports Insider quoting sources close to the team, includi

First, it was Eli Manning's older brother Peyton, who advanced and consequently won the Super Bowl last season over the Chicago Bears.

Now, it is Eli’s turn to dance and avenge a regular season home loss to the perfect 18-0 New England Patriots, who defeated San Diego in the first half of the championship round on Sunday afternoon.

Nobody gave Eli and the New York Giants a chance in the preseason after RB Tiki Barber announced his retirement and DE Michael Strahan threatened retirement.

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.

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.

Well, this was expected. Right?  The New England Patriots on one side of the Super Bowl, representing the AFC.  It was closer than many expected, including oddsmakers, who favored the Patriots by 14 points.  Even with quarterback Tom Brady's two-touchdown yet rare three-interception performance, they held on for a 21-12 victory over the San Diego Chargers, who were limping into this game.

When the New Jersey Devils entertain the Maple Leafs in a few hours, you may find some changes on the ice.  Veteran John Madden is likely to return after a lacerated right ankle kept him out for two games, both losses for New Jersey.  The Devils also welcomed back defenseman Karel Rachunek versus Florida after he missed 10 games with an ankle injury.

The New Jersey Devils, who are hosting the Toronto Maple Leafs at 5 o'clock, did not expect the New York football Giants to be playing today at 6:30.  To accommodate Devils and Giants fans, myself one of them, the Prudential Center will broadcast the Gmen's NFC Championship Game on TVs throughout the arena and the Bud Light Goal Bar, Restaurant, and Fire and Ice Lounges will stay open for the entire NFC title game in Green Bay.

Pittsburgh Penguins captain and reigning Hart Trophy winner Sidney Crosby left Friday’s contest with a high-ankle sprain versus Tampa Bay.  He carried the puck into the offensive zone, fell to the ice due to a slash by Tampa Bay defenseman Paul Ranger, and collided feet-first with the end boards, unable to protect himself.  The similar injury sidelined teammate and goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury for over a month and possibly longer.

Although the New Jersey Devils were hosting a backup goaltender and several minor leaguers, they flopped against the Florida Panthers.  The Devils, who played in front of 15,203, failed to capitalize on five power play opportunities, en route to their second consecutive home loss.  The Panthers defeated the Devils 2-1 behind spectacular play by reserve netminder Craig Anderson, timely scoring and strong penalty killing.

As everyone in the metro area will be tuned into the Giants-Packers NFC Championship Game this Sunday night, the Devils have plenty of work to do at home.  Beginning with the 2-1 loss to the New York Islanders on Wednesday night, the New Jersey Devils have begun an 18-game stretch, 15 of which will take place at the Prudential Center.

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.

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).

Last night, after eating supper, I flipped on Sportscenter knowing that those bumbling idiots are not talking about college football these days. Instead, ESPN gave hockey some coverage.  Then again this morning, Sportscenter showed NHL highlights.

Hey all, my name is Gabi Secemski, and I am new to Devilsdaily.com. Jeremy K. has asked me to blog about football and baseball, my sports of choice, to provide some variety among the blogs.  I love both sports and am a fan of the Patriots and NY Mets respectively.  My e-mail is gscempski@yahoo.com if anyone has comments, feedback, etc.  My first blog will be to look at the upcoming AFC and NFC Championship Games, both of which are rematches from week two in the NFL.

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 importan