Many will point to the inability to produce on the powerplay…the fact that they never really had a chance in overtime…but as far as I’m concerned, the Devils put forth a great effort in Game 2. But great effort doesn’t always mean win.
The first period saw both regulation goals, starting with a perfect deflection on the powerplay by Zach Parise. Parise tipped Paul Martin’s point shot perfectly. Then with 25 seconds to go in the period, the backbreaker. Coaches always say the first and last minute of each period are the worst times to give up a goal, but this was more reminiscent of the Devils’ first two on the last game of the season than anything. With Carolina on the powerplay, Colin White sent Joe Corvo up and over into the Devils bench, Ray Whitney’s shot went wide and took a funny bounce right to Eric Staal for the layup. At the end of the first, 1-1.
The second and third periods were much of the same, both teams working extremely hard, generating scoring chances but unable to capitalize. Truly, this game was more like the playoffs than game 1. Both teams hit their share of posts, including Zach Parise, who on a 2-on-1 saw his passing lane to Elias evaporate, and instead ripped a rare slap shot that rang off the pipe. In hindsight, perhaps the end of regulation was the worst thing to happen to the Devils tonight, as 14 minutes later, the teams headed for the locker rooms to prepare for overtime.
Entering game 2’s overtime, the Devils were 0-4 historically against Carolina in playoff overtime. Right from the puck drop it was apparent that something was different from the first three periods. Maybe it was the injuries sustained by Jamie Langenbrunner and Jay Pandolfo, but the Devils of overtime were far less aggressive and confident, and Carolina pounced on it. After a long period of time in the Devils zone, their opponents unable to clear the puck on multiple occasions, Joe Corvo fed Tim Gleason—yes, Mr. Zero Goals This Season himself, Tim Gleason—for a slapper that Niclas Havelid inexplicably kicked at. The puck redirected off Havelid and Brodeur was far too close to change his own direction. Puck goes in, Hurricanes win.
Brent Sutter on his teams’ effort: “We have nothing to feel bad about. We played hard here tonight against a very good hockey team. We saw a more physical team tonight, which we anticipated and expected. You lose home ice, but you’ve got to go down there and get it back. If you want to have success, you’ve got to win on the road, too.”
True, coach, but as well as the powerplay was tonight, scoring ONE more time on the PP would have won this game. Surely you can’t be totally happy with that, Zach?
“We’re moving the puck around well, and we got one. It’s a matter of putting it in the net. The chances are there.”
If history is going to continue to prove itself as it did last night, then history is still in the Devils’ favor: every time these two teams have met, the winner of the first game has always won the series, and the winner of the series has always reached the Stanley Cup Finals. So I am more than willing to have history repeat itself again and again. Series tied 1-1, back to work on Sunday.
Game 2 Three Stars:
1st: Tim Gleason
2nd: Zach Parise
3rd: Eric Staal
Series Tied, 1-1
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