Devils In-Depth - Rd 1 Gm 3 Recap

It was Brian Rolston who replaced the injured Jamie Langenbrunner on the Devils’ top line in Game 3, though Steve Cangialosi originally credited the game-winning overtime goal to Brendan Shanahan. Chico Resch, of all people, had to correct him.

Fortunately, Cangialosi was the only one making mistakes last night. Heading into Raleigh, statistics hung heavy over the Devils’ heads. “The Hurricanes have won their last 20 home games,” they heard… “the Devils are now 0-5 all time against the Hurricanes in playoff overtime…” “the last time Carolina played a home playoff game, they ended the night by hoisting the Stanley Cup.” But in order to get anywhere in the playoffs, you need to be able to win on the road, and the Devils came out firing. New Jersey grabbed the early lead at 6:05 of the 1st period, thanks to some terrific work by Brian Rolston, who relished his increased ice time. Rolston created a turnover in Carolina’s end, and the puck found its way back to Paul Martin at the point. Martin’s quick wrister was perfectly deflected by Zach Parise. But just 30 seconds later, the Canes struck back. Ryan Bayda pounced on a perfect rebound chance after a great save on Jussi Jokinen. The period closed out on a beautiful shift; Brendan Shanahan muscles Joe Corvo off the puck, leaving Brian Gionta alone with Cam Ward. A couple of nice dekes and a puck through the five-hole sends the Devils into the first intermission up 2-1.

Only one goal was scored in the second period, and it came at the most inopportune time for the Devils. Moments after killing off a 5-on-3, New Jersey was on the verge of finishing off the penalty kill, when just as time ran out on the penalty to Paul Martin, Chad LaRose tips a Patrick Eaves shot behind Brodeur to tie the game. Twice the Devils took the lead, twice Carolina tied it up. After trading quality scoring chances throughout the rest of the 2nd and 3rd, the teams prepped for their second straight overtime.

Fresh off embarassing themselves in Game 2, the Devils hit the ice for overtime with a lot of fire. Rather than sit back, this time they took the play to Carolina, and five minutes in, it paid off. Colin White sent a fumbled pass up the boards to Zach Parise, who carried the puck in and fired a shot. With Rolston parked in front of him, Ward made the save, and stopped Travis Zajac’s rebound, but Zajac crashed the net and put the second rebound upstairs. The Devils had broken the Carolina Curse.

So, Brian, how’s it feel to play on the top line?

“It was a lot of fun. I thought we had instant chemistry. We were just talking about it. We played well together, so it was just one of those things. It was good.”

Well said, as always.

Coach, what was the difference in overtime this time around?

“The important thing is we know how we need to play and how we want to play. When we play that way it’s a lot more fun to play. We were just getting out of the funk we were in the last six, seven or eight minutes. I think we focused on two things. At least give yourself a chance to win. In New Jersey we never did that because we just sat back.”

It was also nice to see the Devils crash the net for a change. The concept seems so foreign to them most of the time, yet when they actually do it they get results. It’s a wonder to me that they don’t try to crash the net more often given the positives that come out of it. Finally, let’s hear from Bobby Holik, who was told not to take stupid penalties when he returned to the lineup, but did just that.

“Oh man. No timing. No rhythm. No confidence. Jumping in mid-series in the playoffs, I wouldn’t recommend it to anybody.”

…especially when that anybody skates like a tree and has all their mail forwarded to the penalty box.

Three Stars:
1st: Travis Zajac
2nd: Chad LaRose
3rd: Zach Parise

Devils Lead Series, 2-1