INSIDE HOCKEY

Not too long ago, Patrik Elias was frustrated that he wasn’t at the level he felt like he needed to be.  He was down on himself, thinking that he wasn’t good enough.  He was beyond frustrated with his performance after coming back from surgery.

But it takes patience.  When it’s time, the goals will come.  For Elias, that time has finally arrived. 

On Saturday, he posted goals #300 and #301 against the Flyers.  Number 302 came on Wednesday night...and boy, did it come at the right time. 

The Devils were not able to capitalize on any of the five power plays against the Montreal Canadiens.  But Travis Moen was able to score on New Jersey during a Devils power play.

At 12:23 in the first period, as captain Jamie Langenbrunner was passing the puck to Andy Greene, the puck stopped midway.  Langenbrunner was a little too late in reacting to the folly.  Moen had grabbed the puck, skated back into the Devils zone and scored a shorthanded goal on Martin Brodeur.

“Power plays are great when we can take advantage,” head coach Jacques Lemaire said.  “It will destroy the whole team when you can’t score.  Then guys make the wrong pass, take the wrong shot or they don’t score.  They get frustrated and if they can’t get that stuff off their mind, it’s tough to play hockey like that.”

This was yet another game that did not equal shutout number 104 for Brodeur.  But, ironically, Marty tied another record held by Patrick Roy during a Canadiens vs. Devils game. The first time around, he had tied with Roy in Montreal for his 551st win.  This time, he tied with Roy against the Canadiens for most games played by a goaltender (1,029). 

Coincidence that Marty is tying Roy every time they play against Montreal?  Everything in the universe happens for a reason.  These records being broken are all coming from a guy that worshipped Roy when he was a kid back in Montreal.  He used to stand on the bench watching Roy warm-up.  It’s not everyday that someone can say that they broke all of the records held by their hero...and tying them each and every time the Devils played the Canadiens...it’s just how things turned out.

Scott Gomez returned to Prudential Center, but this time not as a Devil and not as a Ranger.  He was in a new uniform and the fans made sure they let Gomez know how much they felt betrayed by his leaving the team to play for their rivals. Each time he touched the puck, boos rang out across the arena.

“They’ve got to get over it some time,” Brodeur told The Ledger.  “He’s not playing for the Rangers anymore, so it’s not as bad.  And even for us, I think, the sentiment of him being somewhere else is a lot different.  But, fans are weird that way.  They care about their team and when a guy goes out and does something like that (signing with the Rangers), I’m sure it always comes back.  

"Unless you’re like Bobby Holik and come back and play for us, they’ll start cheering him again.”

The Devils do view the situation with Gomez differently.  After the game, Gomez and the Devils hung out in the hallway talking, eating cookies and having a few laughs.  What the fans think of Gomez does not reflect what the Devils think of him.  They don’t view him as a traitor.  He is still a friend of the Devils, no matter what the jersey says on the front.

Roman Hamrlik will be out for the Habs for some time after he fell awkwardly on his knee after being tripped by Price at 15:07 in the second period.

Ilkka Pikkarainen recorded his first career NHL goal at 16:25 in the second period.  It was a lucky break for the Finn.  He shot high.  Carey Price reached up to catch the puck, only to have it fall out of his glove and roll into the net.  The goal tied the game 1-1.

In the final stanza, with only 2:36 left on the clock, Brian Rolston and Elias worked their magic once again.  Rolly sent the puck down front to Elias.  With a surprise backhanded goal, he broke the tie and tallied the game winner.

Notes

The Devils will host their annual Coat Drive before the game on Friday against the Ottawa Senators.  In conjunction with Jersey Cares, the wives/girlfriends of Devils’ players will be assisting with the drive.  They are accepting all new and lightly worn coats.

Zach Parise’s goal drought continues.  He has not scored a goal in the month of December yet.  His last tally came on November 28th.