What’s at stake tonight?

Scott Gomez has never been formally introduced to the Prudential Center in Newark.  He will be present tonight when the New York Rangers visit the Devils and their new $375 million arena for the first time.  Gomez, who played in New Jersey for the past seven years, is now a Ranger after signing with them as a free agent in the off season.

While many Devils fans consider Gomez a traitor, defector, a Benedict Arnold if you will, he made a financial decision for his family… With that said, fans should scream, yell, and distract Gomez tonight- make him uncomfortable in the new arena…let him know how you feel about his decision-making…

Devils goaltender Martin Brodeur aims to continue his dominance against the Rangers and win No. 500.  Marty has 38 wins and seven career shutouts against the Garden rivals… pretty good numbers…He’s not the only one with much success against the Rangers… the Devils are 45-25-5 at home versus them.  Problem is that home was Continental Airlines Arena, which has since been changed to the Izod Center, not the Prudential Center.

That home held 19,040 for Devils home games whereas the Rock seats 17,625 for hockey.  If the Devils could fill the CAA, they probably would have not moved to their own arena that has been fairly empty on game days excluding the inaugural home opener (gee… what a surprise)…

On the bright side- Patrik Elias scored for the first time in a month on Monday (can he score again?), the Devils scored on the power play after a 0-for-19 drought and backup goaltender Kevin Weekes proved his value stopping 23 of 25 shots and staying perfect in regulation (2-0-1)

Lou made at least one wise choice (this far) when he signed free-agent Weekes away from the Rangers… but I’m not crediting Lamoriello for Zubrus, Vishnevksi, or Rachunek who have only hampered the Devils checkbook and not produced on the ice…guys, don’t blame the fans for that…

Forward Jamie Langenbrunner returns to his spot on the second line tonight, his first action this season after off season sports hernia surgery… Even though Langenbrunner may not be 100%, he is a huge asset to a struggling Devils team…If you don’t believe me- check this out…

The Devils have won every game when leading after two periods this season…they’ve never won a game when trailing after the first period and their power play rank of 26 and penalty kill of 29 are not helping their cause either… The Rangers are perfect when leading after one this year and like the Devils are winless when trailing after one period.  They are more efficient on the man advantage, 19th, and 3rd on the penalty kill… which, to me, is such bullshit… the Devils are the team that never gives up power play goals- John Madden and Jay Pandolfo are counted on to score this season more than preusual, hence the reason that the team may be struggling on the PK… or they can just blame their imperfections on hockey’s composite, aluminum, fiber glass, and carbon fiber sticks… either way, Devils win 2-0 tonight, Brodeur earns milestone No. 500 and joins Patrick Roy (551) in the 500 wins club…you’re not invited!

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