mort4345

Okay, here's the deal. Since the Devils swept the back-to-back Pens series, NJ has won 7 of the last 26 contests. They've played 17 one-goal games and won 6 of them. They play 7 of the final 10 games against teams currenty in the playoffs. Short of a miraculous turnaround, the season looks pretty grim from here on out. But hey, at least the draft is in NJ this year ... so that's something. Right?

There are three players in this league worth more than $8.25 million a season and none of them are named Corey Perry and Ryan Getzlaf.

The Devils were doing alright up until the injuries started. And let's face it, the Devils aren't a deep team so that hurt. Also, they got some good bounces those first 14 games or so. They also got stellar goaltending. But now the Devils appear to be in a downward death spiral - and they need to pull out of it real soon or the rest of the season drama will consist solely of whether Lou is going to keep or donate our first round pick.

Let's face it, as much as it pains me, this team is really starting to miss Parise. Just the energy alone - I have to see this guy play basically every two days now that I live in Minneapolis. He was great on the PP, PK and SO. So that's a huge loss. And he fit perfectly into DeBoer's system - a high energy forechecking system. However, now that the former captain has been removed from the equation, there just isn't enough talent on this team to make up for that loss.

Throw in the fact that it feels like we have eight No. 5 defensemen on our team and perhaps one of the least talented captains in the league, and it truly gets painful at times. In short, it doesn't look good right now, but this season can still go a number of different directions from here on out. And if there is one thing I've learned after watching this team  for at least two decades, it's that predicting how a Devils' season will turn out at any one given point in time is a fool's errand.

Just when I thought I was out … they pull me back in.

I think it's way too early to be having this discussion. We're only 1/4 of the way through the season, no?

Poni's back and you're gonna be in trouble
(Hey la, hey la, Poni's back)
When you see him comin' better cut out on the double
(Hey la, hey la, Poni's back)

You been spreadin' lies that the Devil's were untrue
(Hey la, hey la, Poni's back)
So look out now 'cause he's comin' after you
(Hey la, hey la, Poni's back)

He's been gone for such a long time
(Hey la, hey la, Poni's back)
But now he's back and things will be fine
(Hey la, hey la, Poni's back)

You're gonna be sorry you were ever born
(Hey la, hey la, Poni's back)
'Cause he's kinda big and he's awful strong
(Hey la, hey la, Poni's back)

Poni's back, he's gonna save the Devils' reputation
(Hey la, hey la, Poni's back)
If I were the Rangers I'd take a permanent vacation
(Hey la, hey la, Poni's back)