Devil Fan Posted October 31, 2007 Share Posted October 31, 2007 http://www.nhl.com/nhl/app?service=page&am...&gameType=2 Lightning-Devils Preview Oct 31, 2007, 7:00 PM EDT TV Information -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- National TV: TSN,RIS Local Home: FSN-NY (HD) Local Away: SUN The New Jersey Devils have struggled at home against the Tampa Bay Lightning in recent years. Maybe a change of venue can reverse that trend. Following an unsuccessful debut at their new arena, the Devils try to avoid their longest winless stretch in nearly six years when they face the Lightning on Wednesday. The first game at the new $380 million Prudential Center in Newark, N.J., was far from a memorable one for the Devils (3-6-1). After playing their first nine games of the season on the road while awaiting the arena's completion, New Jersey returned home Saturday only to lose 4-1 to Ottawa. "We need to start figuring out ways to win games," said Brian Gionta, who scored the Devils' first and only goal at the Prudential Center. "There's no excuses: road trip, new arena; we've just got to win. We're not playing 60 minutes. That's the theme of the first 10 games." It was the fourth straight loss for New Jersey, which has not gone winless in five consecutive games since a seven-game stretch from Nov. 10-Nov. 23, 2001. The final game in that span was a 2-0 loss at Tampa Bay, a defeat which began a stretch during which the Devils have won only four times in the last 21 meetings overall. The Lightning (5-4-1) have won seven of their last eight games in New Jersey, scoring at least three goals every time. That record is fairly surprising considering the Devils have been very good at home in that span, finishing among the Eastern Conference's top three teams in home wins in five of the previous six seasons. The early struggles of the Devils, who have not lost five straight since November 2000, come after the team won the Atlantic Division last season and finished second in the East with 107 points. Martin Brodeur set an NHL single-season record with 48 wins, but he's off to a 2-6-0 start this season while posting a 3.28 goals-against average. A lack of offense hasn't helped Brodeur, with the Devils totaling just 22 goals. Only the New York Rangers have scored fewer (19) among Eastern teams. New Jersey has been limited to four goals in its last four games, going 1-for-18 on the power play. "We've got a new group of players in that locker room who are adjusting to how we want them to play," first-year Devils coach Brent Sutter said. "And those players who've been here in the past, they've got to find a way to do better. I'm tired of all the excuses." Sutter publicly called out left wing Patrik Elias after Thursday night's 2-0 loss to Rangers, and after Saturday's game he again questioned his players' effort, though he didn't name names. Elias broke a three-game pointless drought with an assist on Saturday. New Jersey eliminated Tampa Bay in six games in a first-round playoff series last season, but the Lightning opened this season with a 3-1 win over the Devils on Oct. 4 behind Vincent Lecavalier's two goals. Lecavalier, tied for the team lead with 12 points, scored a goal on the road for the first time this season on a penalty shot Monday but the Lightning lost 3-1 to the Rangers. Tampa Bay has been outscored 18-9 while losing all four of its road games in regulation. The only other Eastern team yet to record a road win is the Rangers. Johan Holmqvist made 32 saves Monday, but allowed two power-play goals in the third period. "Our goalie gives us a chance after two periods and we can't put 20 minutes of disciplined, hard hockey together," Lightning coach John Tortorella said in an expletive-filled tirade. "We don't deserve anything. We spend more time looking at referees for calls, instead of playing. "It's very frustrating to see one guy show up." With Marc Denis on injured reserve because of a groin strain, Holmqvist will likely start again. Holmqvist is 3-1-0 with a 1.23 GAA in four starts against the Devils. Brodeur is 24-14-2 with five ties and a 2.03 GAA in his career against Tampa Bay, but is 4-10-2 with three ties and a 2.55 GAA in 19 meetings since Dec. 4, 2001. Lecavalier has 13 goals and 15 assists in 33 games against the Devils. Associated Press Other games on October 31, 2007 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sammyk Posted October 31, 2007 Share Posted October 31, 2007 Ahh fresh blood for the GDT, lets see how you fare! Hmm, it appears you have done so before, what's your record? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
metallidevils Posted October 31, 2007 Share Posted October 31, 2007 here's to scoring more than one goal! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brodeurrocks Posted October 31, 2007 Share Posted October 31, 2007 Here's to containing Vinny and St. Louis and getting things on track! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RowdyFan42 Posted October 31, 2007 Share Posted October 31, 2007 This may be the most meaningless game ever to get the day-before-the-game GDT treatment... or is it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sammyk Posted October 31, 2007 Share Posted October 31, 2007 This may be the most meaningless game ever to get the day-before-the-game GDT treatment... or is it? At this point there are no meaningless games! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jas0nMacIsaac Posted October 31, 2007 Share Posted October 31, 2007 I get to miss it...halloween comes once a year and that means get trashed and go bar hopping. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LA03 Posted October 31, 2007 Share Posted October 31, 2007 I hope to see some intense playing out there. We need some good things to start happening... Here's hoping I can escape work at exactly 5:30 so I can catch the 6:11 train to Newark Penn. This will give me enough time to eat something before the game starts because I will be staaarving. I really want to get a blue moon, but I'm on antibiotics and I'm not sure it's a good idea to drink any sort of alcohol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Microwavepizza Posted October 31, 2007 Share Posted October 31, 2007 i will be at The Rock tomorrow in section 101 wooo GO DEVILS!!!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devil Fan Posted October 31, 2007 Author Share Posted October 31, 2007 Ahh fresh blood for the GDT, lets see how you fare!Hmm, it appears you have done so before, what's your record? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devilish34 Posted October 31, 2007 Share Posted October 31, 2007 LETS GO GO DEVILS My record is even worst than the Devils' current record!!!! BTW, we are dead last overall!!!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elias26 Posted October 31, 2007 Share Posted October 31, 2007 I could see a trade coming if the Devs don't win this one, especially if they don't score. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
devils26 Posted October 31, 2007 Share Posted October 31, 2007 At this point there are no meaningless games! It's clearly a must-win. GO DEVILS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
themiddle91489 Posted October 31, 2007 Share Posted October 31, 2007 I guarantee a win. I'll be in attendance. Section 215 row 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
msweet Posted October 31, 2007 Share Posted October 31, 2007 GO DEVILS! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eaglejelly Posted October 31, 2007 Share Posted October 31, 2007 LETS GO DEVILS! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
langsgirl Posted October 31, 2007 Share Posted October 31, 2007 CMON DEVILS!!!! I wonder what the Devil will be for Halloween, I think last year he was a pirate.. or maybe that was 2 years ago. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devilish34 Posted October 31, 2007 Share Posted October 31, 2007 I guarantee a win. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MadDog2020 Posted October 31, 2007 Share Posted October 31, 2007 This is a MUST win tonight. MUST win. LET'S GO DEVILS!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZuljinRaynor Posted October 31, 2007 Share Posted October 31, 2007 I'll be at the game. I forget where the seats are but they are in the balconies. Woo hoo AAA. I hope this one is a win. Last year I went to four games. The first was a W over then Pens. Then I was at the Caps and Canes games that were blowout Losses. :< At least I saw Cam's first goal. The other game was the last of the season against the Isles. Let's go Devils. Let's see some ... goals. And a W. I'll be wearing a Red blank Devils Jersey (pre-lockout) and a Black and White Devils hat. Yeah, not a good description but whatever. Going with my dad and brother. My brother is taller than me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thefiestygoat Posted October 31, 2007 Share Posted October 31, 2007 Go Devils! I have a good feeling about this game. I guarantee a win, 3-1. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Exit56 Posted October 31, 2007 Share Posted October 31, 2007 Just played tonights game in NHL 08.. Langenbrunner had a hat trick, and Matvichuk led the team in hits.. QQ (we won 5-3 tho) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hattrick Posted October 31, 2007 Share Posted October 31, 2007 (edited) LETS GO DEVILS!!! Edited October 31, 2007 by hattrick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eaglejelly Posted October 31, 2007 Share Posted October 31, 2007 Just played tonights game in NHL 08.. Langenbrunner had a hat trick, and Matvichuk led the team in hits.. QQ (we won 5-3 tho) As long as we have Langenbrunner and Matvichuk playing for us tonight, nothing can go wrong Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Weekes Head Posted October 31, 2007 Share Posted October 31, 2007 As long as we have Langenbrunner and Matvichuk playing for us tonight, nothing can go wrong Aka, we shall lose 7-1 tonight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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