When the New Jersey Devils (15-10-2) were slumping earlier this season, they had a tendency to lose focus and play a lackluster second period of hockey, leaving them trailing going into the final 20 minutes.  Now that the Devils are back on track, (eight straight after last night) they are still not showing up to play a full 60 minutes each and every night.

So how have they won eight in a row? 

Attitude.

In four of the eight wins on this current streak, the Devils have yielded the first goal.  But a new attitude has settled in the locker room and their aggressive forecheck by young forwards Zach Parise and Travis Zajac among others, has come to be feared league-wide.

The change in locker-room attitude may be attributed to the return of forward Jaime Langenbrunner from off-season surgery (sports hernia).

Langenbrunner missed the first 17 games of the season, but upon his return, scored the only two Devils goals in a 4-2 loss to the New York Rangers, showing his apparent value to the team (which has now been acknowledged by the coaching staff in giving him the “C”).  Since his return on Nov. 14th, Langenbrunner has recorded 11 points (2G, 9A) in 10 games played. 

Langenbrunner has always been known for his tenacious work ethic on and off the ice and has been considered a leader since his days in Dallas.  Ultimately, his return has given the Devils new life and has even put a little snarl back into their game.

Parise has led the way offensively for the Devils during the magical run, contributing 17 points (9G, 8A).  The defense has also become much more involved and is executing better in the offensive schemes.

The return of defenseman Colin White from injury (eye) has played a major role in this transition.

In October, the Devils blueliners would attempt to get involved in a play and either retreat early for fear of being burned or work themselves in too deep leaving the Devils shorthanded behind the play. 

The physical, defensive-minded play of the stay-at-home defenseman has opened up opportunities for other, more offensively-talented, d-men to confidently jump in on a big rush.  Defensemen Karel Rachunek and Paul Martin have both recorded goals during this streak and the rest of the defensive corps are noticeably more involved offensively as well.

The stellar work of Hall-of-Fame bound goaltender Martin Brodeur cannot go unnoticed either.  After a rocky start to the season, the three-time Vezina Trophy winner has found his groove and has surrendered only 12 goals during the course of this streak to go along with two shutouts.  Devils fans know what Marty can do and I have little reason to believe he’ll slump again this season. He had a slow start and definitely has not looked back since then.

Assuming the team can stay healthy (Jay Pandolfo is day-to-day with a pelvic strain) and maintain a positive attitude after surrendering a few weak and early goals, and maybe get a few more goals from Patrik Elias (25 GP -- 6G, 9A, -4 +/-), the Devils figure to be right in the thick of the Eastern Conference title race by the end of the season.

Until next time,

Dude Joel

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