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Sit.

Me? I'd show up to the morning skate in my pajamas and do nothing. My only comment would be "if you guys don't give a rats ass, neither do I". Then I would proceed to call Papa Gomez and remind him that his client will not receive his big payday they care so much about if he doesn't get his lazy ass in gear. Perhaps Papa can get him going, it's worth a shot. I think I would go back to coaching them like peewees - since that's what they're acting like. Miss a shot? 50 pushups. Make a blind pass? Another 50 pushups. Pass in someone's skates? Yet another 50. Maybe then they'll remember why they play this game - I think they all forgot. Clarkson in - Dowd out. I know I didn't want another rookie out there. But at least he plays like he cares. Brylin knocked down to the 4th line. Matvichuk out - Greene and Oduya deserve to stay. Oh, and for good luck I changed my cursed avatar.

Here you go: Elias 16:45 Gomez 16:26 Gionta 15:15 Parise 12:42 Langs 11:05 Zajac 11:15 Madden 12:27 Pando 11:47 Brylin 11:34 Doesn't look any better does it? Here's another stat for you: Sv%: .875

Here's what I don't get with fans. They want Matvichuk in to replace Greene or Oduya - neither of which have been out there for a goal against yet. What good would it do to replace two guys who haven't really hurt the team? Is Matvichuk capable of playing 15 minutes a game yet? White is supposed to be the leader here folks - what's he a -5 so far in the series? White if anyone, needs to sit for a game IMO. Not gonna happen, but he's been playing like crap. I just don't see where Matvichuk would pay off in this series - it's not like there's traffic in front of the net that needs to be cleared out and he's certainly not fast enough to keep up with the Lacalvier line. I don't like Langenbrunner on the point. Never have, never will. Sure, he's got a great shot but what good is it if it misses the net 9 times out of 10? Gomez, I can't say much except that I want to punch him in the face. Elias too for that matter. And it's pretty obvious, at least so far, that Brodeur is not going to steal us a series. I hope he proves me wrong, but it's not looking good (in either game so far). On a positive note: Parise just continues to amaze me. If half of the team had his work ethic, we'd be in good shape.

Problem is, he just might be screwing up his health. He's far more susceptible now to getting yet another, and worse, concussion. The brain needs time to heal - he takes one shot to the head and who know's how long he'll suffer. He might just wind up being one of those athletes who has to carry his address with him on a piece of paper because he can't remember it.

Thought he was pretty useless last night.

The checking line as a whole didn't do job all that well last night IMO. Thought Madden got caught sleeping a bit on Lacavalier's "wrap around" goal and they seemed to be a bit off in general. Brylin did indeed have a rough night and I personally liked Rassmussen out there with Madden and Pandolfo. Pandolfo himself said Rassmussen creates havoc out there which creates more room for them. Thought he did a good job while on that line - the line had a lot more energy with him on it. However, I think Brylin's experience alone warrants another shot on that line. If he gets pushed around again, I say it's time for Rassmussen. Someone needs to hit St. Louis hard and often - give him room and he's dangerous. But, to put yet another rookie into the lineup would be unwise at this point.

It's a good thing none of us are coaches, seeing how easily we give up on people. What was Lou doing putting a rookie out on the PK in his first NHL playoff game? Shows the faith he has in Oduya (as do I), but probably not the best idea right now. Think he tried to do too much out there and that's what got him in trouble. Sure, he got burned by St. Louis after that as well - but tell me how many other NHL defensemen have too? It happens - he redeemed himself later in the game when it counted and Lou showed faith in the kid by keeping him out there. Unlike Julien. Give the kid a break. You guys want to get on a defenseman? How about the veterans who should know better. White was a glaring -2 and needs to learn how to tie guys up along the boards. No one complaining about his stupid penalty. The rookies will come around - Greene played better than I thought he would, but I'm not sure I like him on the PP (but he didn't see the ice much in the 3rd). Zajac was non-existant, which I don't suspect will last terribly long once he settles down. Just keep in mind they are rookies and they will make mistakes, it doesn't mean they should get yanked every time they screw up. Not a bad game, just hate the way the refs are calling this first round (for everyone). But, Brodeur has to be better or we'll be sunk.

Does this mean I have to get rid of my Avatar with St. Louis in it?

I think you can throw out the regular season on this one. Reason being, the coaching change. Julien did a piss poor job matching lines all year, in particular with the D, which really burned us this year with Tampa. In fact, I would say that the last matchup this year the D seemed particularly out of sync. I'm not so sure this is a good venue for Matvichuk to really get his feet wet - he's not the fleetest of foot to begin with, nevermind this being his 2nd game back in a year and facing a very quick team. I'm not sure what the answer is because quite frankly, Greene scares the bejesus out of me. Keys to the series: 1. Elias has to stop brooding about his poor play this season and start acting like a Captain. 2. Gomez needs to look down and see if he has any balls left and stop avoiding the hit. Somebody needs to strap a big check with lots of 0's on it on a stick to his helmet for motivation. 3. Brodeur will need to focus on winning a few games by himself. We all know he can focus enough for record books, let's see if he can steal a game here or there. 4. Get in the Tampa goaltender's face, whomever that shall be. Have Rupp or Gionta park his ass right in front every Power play. Get in their face all game long. 5. Madden and Pandolfo must be Lecalvier's shadow - I don't want this guy taking a leak during warmups without one of them being right behind him. 6. Last key - clear the crease in front of Brodeur. I'm rather tired of watching the opposition getting 50,000 shots at the puck in the crease without being touched (I'm talking to you Mr. Martin). Lukowich and to a lesser extent, Oduya, seems to be the only one interested in clearing the crease - that has to stop. Who will win will depend on how well Lou matches lines - can't get worse than Julien - and someone waking up Elias and Gomez. Oh, and one last thing - have that trainer (whoever it is this year) stretch these boys out like crazy, I don't want any more "bad ice" groin pulls.

Lou's old school. Old school coaches are seriously into "fairness" - everyone gets treated equally, no matter whether theyare the first line superstar or the 4th line grunt. Just my opinion, but that seemed to be a problem with Julien. Gomez turned the puck over 50 times a game in the neutral zone without consequence. A rookie defenseman makes the same boneheaded move for the first time in the season and he gets benched for the remainder of the game, gets blamed for the loss and gets called out in the papers. Thought that was Julien's undoing right there - you just don't do those things. Now, if Julien lets this rookie have it in the lockeroom, no problem, but calling people out in the press isn't Lou's thing. Julien is what I call a "Vanilla" kind of guy, which turned this team into a "Vanilla" kind of team. No passion, no fire, no spark - just vanilla. Can't have that going into the playoffs. Don't forget about Vanderbeek in this whole thing - methinks this wasn't just a Lou decision.

Thank god. Julien drove me nuts - I could never quite figure out what he was doing. His decision making left alot to be desired, that's for sure. Anyone who plays Paul Martin 25+ minutes a game should get canned in my opinion. Devils were looking no further than the 2nd round with that wuss bag anyway - a coaching change can't hurt if you ask me.

I personally find Gomez one of the most infuriating players to watch. All of this flash coming up through the neutral zone only to turn it over on some boneheaded pass in the offensive zone. Couple that with the piss poor defensive play and I just want to smack him. Ship him off for a quality player who actually gives half a sh!t. Complacency is a killer in pro sports and unfortunately, it looks like that's Gomez's problem.

I live in Morris county (Comcast country) and the Devils game was blacked out on FSNY with DirecTV, but got the Islanders game on MSG. We also got the Flyers meltdown on OLN. Not sure if we'll get it all year, but we did get the HD Hurricanes/Tampa game - might be because we have the HD package, I don't know. I will say this much - once you start watching hockey in HD, it's sure hard to go back to watching it the old way.

You know, I think MacInnis was forced to retire. I think the Blues are at or close to the cap forcing the GM to pressure MacInnis into early retirement. Why else would he choose to retire so close the training camp? I heard he was still in good shape, so must be the GM giving this illustrious player the boot. Damn those GMs for forcing early retirement on their franchise players! It's a conspiracy I tell you! See, Lou set the tone of forcing the old coots out the door and now look, everyone else is doing the same. All of these retirements in one week - there is no other reasonable explanation.

Looks like we've got another kool-aid fan folks! Let's hope Rafalski flourishes without Niedermayer. I missed those beautiful outlet passes last year.

Grand-Peirre is a dman - not a right wing. Aside from Rafalski, the only feasible "replacement" for Niedermayer would be Hamrlik. Of course he won't be cheap now since Lou is over a barrel. I say we bring back Odelein - I haven't had a good whipping boy for a couple of years!

I guess this is why when told "good luck this season", Madden replied "Thanks. We're gonna need it."

I guess this shows everyone that it was never really all about the money with Niedermayer. Good luck to him, stupid choice if you ask me, but good luck nonetheless. Well, Granny Niedermayer should be happy now - if that's possible anyway. Too bad Aucoin is gone, time to start shopping Lou.

I don't like the sound of the 3pm conference time myself. If he chooses Anaheim, it would have to be for his brother. What's the big deal about playing with his brother anyway? They spent their entire lives playing together and probably did nothing but fight, bicker and tell each other they suck. Anaheim doesn't seem like a Niedermayer type of town - too busy, crowded, smoggy and just too disney (although a plus for the kids I guess). San Jose seems more like a city to his liking I would think - but think of all that travel time. Ugh - too much time away from this beloved family we keep hearing about. Sure, he's somewhat closer to that cold fish mother - but it's still a haul for the old bag. NJ makes the most sense to me - a future Captaincy (did I even spell that right?), a big chunk of change, relative anonimity, happy kiddies because they'll still keep all of those friends sucking up to them because Daddy's a hockey star, good shopping for the wife and adoring fans. What's not to love? But, what the hell do I know anyway...

I had forgotten how people read too much into posts. My original point was that I was more ticked off with the constant drivel regarding Niedermayer's decision. Where's my beating the dead horse smilie when I need it?