Although the Prudential Center was not soldout (not even close at 13,218) for game two of its inaugural season, the Devils 6-1 victory secured their first win in their new state-of-the-art facility.  The first contest was a bit embarrassing but I recapped it nevertheless.

The fans in attendance, including John Fischer from Inlouwetrust and Steve Williamson (30 games in 30 days) were privileged to witness a tremendous effort by the newly-formed trio of Madden, Zubrus, and Pandolfo.  I mean every game this season, including preseason, head coach Brent Sutter has been mixing and matching the lines, praying to God, and hoping for that delicious combo platter.  He nailed it on the money tonight.  Let me repeat, Sutter hit home with his line combinations.

A Boston University star player and a “lifetime” Devil, forward Jay Pandolfo completed a hat trick, the first of his career (unless my research failed me).  Cap Day didn't come soon enough for Pandolfo.  In other words, Pando was drafted by the Devils in the 1993 NHL Entry Draft, finished college, and earned two hard-fought Stanley Cups to his resume.  He did this alongside linemate John Madden who was drafted in 1997 and has remained with the organization ever since.  Madden notched (1G, 3A) in this contest, which was a close 2-1 Devils lead until the third period started and all hell broke loose for the Bolts.  It almost reminded me of a WWE match between the Rock (not Prudential Center’s nickname this time) and Triple H, when someone interferes since the referee is “knocked out.”  The only thing is that it happened in reality this time around, as the Devils goal horn was blaring for a change.

After a tentative first period, Madden opened the scoring at 4:32 assisted by Pando and Danius Zubrus (Who?!!!). That’s right- newly signed Zubrus switched lines before the game, and finally contributed a little some’ some’ on offense.  He added one more assist on his new third line and a  +3… it’s about time that he stepped up to the plate (he reminded me of Gay-rod in the playoffs until now).  The Devils second goal was by far their prettiest of the evening.  Zubrus lofted the puck high in the air past the Lightning defensemen who were outmatched and out-everything last night.  Madden and Pandolfo’s lightning quick speed easily allowed them to play two-on-none with Bolts goaltender Johan Holmqvist, Pando taking this one from Madden less than two minutes after their first goal.  Holmqvist (5-3-1) was not feeling it, that’s for sure. You tell me- 22 saves on 27 shots while Martin Brodeur was the real deal in his 900^th career game played.  He stonewalled 21 of 22 shots, the only goal a Vincent Lecavalier power-play effort late in the second, which cut the lead in half.  Brodeur tried to clear the puck from behind the net, which did not go smoothly. Lecavalier eventually one-timed a sweet feed past Marty trying to recover.  That was all he allowed in earning his third win of the year (3-6-0).  Maybe Johan can take lessons from the veteran, or Tampa’s defensemen could possibly pretend like they are in the National Hockey League and not the minors anymore.

Anyway, in their previous ten games, the Devils barely played a full 60 minutes each time.  Tonight, they erupted for three goals in 6:10 of the third period to seal this game, send the fans home smiling, cheering, and rooting for the home team.  Arron Asham gave the Jersey Guys a commanding 3-1 lead from Patrik Elias (it’s about time his name was not mentioned next to his fat contract extension).  Even 5-7 175-pounds of Brian Gionta had an assist, meaning everybody did well. I heard Sutter may have cracked a smile on the bench, something I would have loved to see.  Zach Parise scored a power play goal in between Pandolfo’s two third-period tallies, the last of which came at 18:40 of the third.  That’s right- with 1:20 left in regulation, the Devils were still playing hard, never letting go of their lead.  10 players contributed on Sutter’s behalf, securing his job for now.

I love how ESPN gave the third star to Devils Vitaly Vishnevski (0G 1A) and not Zubrus, who contributed two marvelous assists, the first of which was a no-looker to Madden, which even caught me by surprise before I did my pony dance.

Power Plays:

Devils 1 for 4 (21 minutes thinking about how stupid the referees are this year for their miserable whistle-blowing)

Lightning 1 for 3 (23 minutes in penalty box, 15 of which for three separate fights)

Hits:

Devils 18

Lightning 16

Total Shots:

Devils- that’s right 30, they pounded shot after shot on Holmqvist eventually chasing him for Marc Denis (who allowed one goal on three shots, not much better than his predecessor)

Lightning- a mere 22 on net even with four PP opportunities… they had the misfortune of enduring a pissed off Devils team

Takeaways:

Devils- 9

Lightning- 4

(faceoffs were even, which is a start in the right direction for the Devs)

Let’s recap. Pando’s first hat trick on Halloween. Interesting.

Devils score six on Halloween (while allowing uno).

Devils win on Halloween.

Hmm… I’m starting to think that the Devils need to play more games on Halloween, maybe a double-header, if there is such a thing in hockey.

Well, Halloween is over. The Maple “Syrup” Leafs are trick or treating on Friday, in the Devils third Prudential Center game ever. The thing about the Leafs is that they just defeated the Penguins and Rangers on the road, but they’ve dropped their last three home games with scores like 6-4, 5-4 OT, and 7-1.  Mats Sundin has 19 points on the season and 33 pts in 49 career games against New Jersey. I think the Devils game plan is to shut his ass down and Russian-born Nik Antropov (8G 7A) in 15 games this year and his (5G 5A) in 10 lifetime appearances against the Devils.  They need to pancake Mats and Niks’ faces into each other, making it a true daily double.

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