AUTHOR: The Maven TITLE: Pointlessness defining the Devils of late DATE: 11/28/2006 08:46:00 PM ----- BODY:

WHEN A POINT IS POINTLESS: Well, at least the Devils got a point on Monday night in Los Angeles. And that’s the point. In losing 3-2 to the Kings in a Shootout, the pointlessness is evident in several ways. TO WIT: * THE ROAD TRIP: Out of a possible 10 points, New Jersey came home with only three. That’s unacceptable considering that the club opened with a stirring win over the Maple Leafs in Toronto. * WASTED GOALTENDING: Martin Brodeur was outstanding in virtually every game – particularly against San Jose and Los Angeles – unfortunately the supporting cast wasn’t. * THE UNCERTAIN POWER PLAY: With a chance to put the Ducks away with the game tied in the third period, the Devs permitted a shorthanded goal which cost them the game. In LA they had a power play in overtime that was conspicuous for its ineffectiveness. A goal on the four-on-three would have won them the game. So what’s the best thing that can be said about the road trip? No doubt it’s the fact Claude Julien’s skaters will not have to leave the Eastern Time zone for the rest of the season. More importantly will be the manner in which Julien rallies his troops in time for their next encounter Friday night at the Meadowlands against Pittsburgh. His challenges include improving the power play. My advice is simple: put big Mike Rupp in front of the net and let Jamie Langenbrunner fire away. As for the defense, of which I have no complaint, I would bench whomever was the worst backliner in the previous game and replace him with Alex Brooks. And this well be the last time I bring this point up, give the fourth line – Jim Dowd, Rupp and Erik Rasmussen – more ice time.

---

ENOUGH WITH THE REFS: Ever since the Rangers’ overtime loss to Buffalo on Sunday, I have heard nothing but criticism of the officiating. My advice to every Rangers fan who beefed is the same – "GET ON THE END OF THE LINE – IT EXTENDS ALL THE WAY TO KINGSTON." The hope always is that bad refereeing evens out over the 30 teams. We’ll see what happens tonight when the Thrashers invade the Garden.

----- --------