AUTHOR: The Maven TITLE: Devils Perils DATE: 11/10/2006 09:36:00 PM ----- BODY:

If ever a team is going about winning the hard way, it is Claude Julien’s Devils. No matter who the opponent – or what the winning score – New Jersey never seems to enjoy a game in which goalie Marty Brodeur can breathe easily. And there appears to be no end in sight for the D’s melodrama after melodrama; and that figures to include the Saturday night home clash with the Florida Panthers. The equation is simple; not enough goals equals no easy games. This point was reiterated in each of the Devils last three wins (2-1 over Montreal, 3-2 over Carolina and 2-1 over Chicago); two of which were settled by shootouts. Not that it’s difficult to find a solution. Captain Patrik Elias must either loosen up or get himself a new radar machine. The Czech is missing sure goals with frustrating regularity. This never was more evident than in the Thursday night match with the Blackhawks who came to the Meadowlands with a seven game losing streak. Naturally, the Devils turned what could have been a delicious blowout into excruciating nail-biter that only was settled by Brodeur’s stellar all the time and shootout saves and SO goals by Zach Parise and Brian Gionta. My advice to coach Julien is to give fourth liner Mike Rupp more ice time along with Jim Dowd. Each can contribute if they are given an opportunity; a point underlined by Rupp who scored the opening goal against Chicago. I could say that a three game winning streak is impressive except that everyone knows that the Devs can not be saved in every game by Brodeur and a shootout.

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