AUTHOR: The Maven TITLE: Thriving on the EX factor DATE: 11/08/2006 11:33:00 AM ----- BODY:

The Devils are surviving – or should I say thriving – with the EX Factor. That’s EX as in EXcrutiatingly Exciting. First it was the throbbing 2-1 win over the Canadiens in Montreal on Saturday night. But the topper took place Tuesday night at the Meadowlands; a thoroughly magnificent match in every which way, finally settled on a Shootout score by John Madden. Poof! Just like that; what appeared to have been a lost two points late in the third period was transformed into a 2-2 tie in the waning moments on Jersey Jim Dowd’s conversion of a Paul Martin pass. To say that the overtime was owned by Martin Brodeur may be the understatement of the half-century. While his exhausted mates appeared to be doing a floundering, fish-out-of-water routine in front of a determined Carolina offense, Marty simply was – as demonstrated in Habtown over the weekend – impeccable, blunting the Canes thrusts until he finally got some breathing room. Brodeur’s heroics enabled the Devils to reach Shootout Alley but even then it wasn’t easy. Brian Gionta gave New Jersey the shootout lead on the Devils’ second attempt. But Rod Brind’Amour beat Marty on Carolina’s next attempt to tie the count. Then it was see-saw time with Brodeur and Cam Ward each stoically starring until Madden finally ended the adventure with a straight-out wrist shot into the left corner. Is it ever anything but excruciating with the Devils? Once again they failed to score more than two goals in regulation time but, conversely, the defense – Brad Lukowich in, Jim Fahey out – played intelligently and well. Emerging – yet again – with a strong game was rookie Johnny Oduya; more apparent on offense and more confident in his own end. With Patrik Elias still slumping, the offense is being carried by Travis Zajac – first goal – Zach Parise and Jamie Langenbrunner’s line. My suggestion to coach Claude Julien – and I will tell him this on Thursday before the home again against Chicago – is to play Dowd more often. Spell him on the second or third line while still keeping him on the fourth unit; but use the man. He still has the goods and can kill penalties and work the power play. The last thing the Devs can do is get overconfident with a struggling Blackhawks team coming to town. This race will not allow letdowns and none should happen with a modest two-game winning streak. The good news: Marty is playing like MARTY. Zajac looks like Calder Trophy material. Oduya is blending neatly. The club has won every game played without injured Scott Gomez. Sooner or later, Elias will find his groove. In the meantime Julien’s sextet will ride the EX Factor as far as it can. Get the aspirins, Nellie, this is hard on the nerves!

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