Devils Try To Survive Brutal Road Trip
This article is from the archive of The New York Sun before the launch of its new website in 2022. The Sun has neither altered nor updated such articles but will seek to correct any errors, mis-categorizations or other problems introduced during transfer.

Under first-year head coach Brent Sutter, the Devils are certainly playing a much more uptempo style this season, and they’re likely to win over plenty of critics with the added excitement that brings. But the early going has been a bit rough where the standings are concerned, with the Devils treading water through the first five games of the season.
Before anyone jumps to any rash conclusions, it’s important to remember that the Devils are starting this season on a tough nine-game road trip while they await the opening of the Prudential Center (the Rock) on Saturday, October 27. And in fact, if the team can manage to get through the road trip with a .500 record, it bodes well for its long-term prospects.
An important benefits of starting the season on the road is that it gives the team a great opportunity to build chemistry. With many new faces on board — and an aggressive new system implemented by Sutter — this month away from home is helping the players gain trust and confidence in one another. Come the stretch run, the disproportionate number of home games they’ll be playing should give them a distinct edge.
One early concern for the Devils that might not go away so quickly has been the play of star netminder Martin Brodeur, who has struggled a bit through his first four games (1–3 record, .879 save percentage, 3.26 goals against average). Every year at this time, Brodeur’s heavy workload from the prior years is tabbed as a reason for worry that he might be burnt out. And every year, the now-35-year-old goalie proves the naysayers wrong.
Now, with the Devils playing a more up-tempo game, Brodeur can be expected to see more shots against — and face more odd-man rushes — than perhaps he ever has in his Devils career. Unless Sutter can convince Brodeur to rest once every five games (giving Kevin Weekes somewhere in the neighborhood of 15–20 starts), then it’s becoming increasingly likely that Brodeur will start to break down this season. Without question, if Brodeur isn’t in top- or near-top form come midseason, it’s unlikely that the Devils will again reach the postseason.
So here’s how the teams line up this week. Statistically, teams are measured from left to right by wins–losses–overtime losses, goals scored, and goals allowed. Please note that the data is up to and including games played on Tuesday night. Each team’s ranking at the end of the 2006–07 season appears in parentheses.
1 OTTAWA SENATORS (1): Martin Gerber has rebounded from an awful 2006–07 performance, and it’s looking like he’s going to be giving Ray Emery some tough competition for the starting goaltender’s job. 6–1–0 22 14
2 DETROIT RED WINGS (4): . Forward Henrik Zetterberg as one NHL’s top players. He has been absolutely devastating through the first two weeks of the season, leading the Wings in goals (five), assists (eight), and points (13). 4–2–1 22 19
3 SAN JOSE SHARKS (2): The offense had been sputtering until coach Ron Wilson discovered the magic elixir: a top line of Joe Thornton, Jonathan Cheechoo, and Joe Pavelski. Diversifying their offensive production is the key to the Sharks’ success. 3–2–1 14 14
4 MINNESOTA WILD (10): Last season, goaltender Niklas Backstrom stepped in and delivered a Vezina-caliber performance between the pipes. Proving that was no fluke, he’s improbably been even better so far this year (1.38 GAA, .945 SV%, 4–0–1 record). 5–0–1 14 7
5 NEW YORK RANGERS (3): With Paul Mara firmly entrenched in head coach Tom Renney’s doghouse, the rumors are again circulating that Ed Jovanovski could be Broadway-bound, with Mara part of the package going to Phoenix in return. 2–3–0 10 10
6 WASHINGTON CAPITALS (6): Thus far, Olaf Kolzig’s on-ice results (1.35 GAA, .958 SV%, 2–1 record) have been a huge reason behind the Caps’ turnaround. After enduring some of the franchise’s darkest days, it’d be a great storyline if Kolzig were to enjoy some success. 3–2–0 11 12
7 PHILADELPHIA FLYERS (15): Where they were once defined by bloodshed and mayhem, today’s Flyers are among the NHL’s fastest — and most skillful — clubs, with diminutive offseason acquisition Daniel Briere leading the way. 4–1–0 21 10
8 CAROLINA HURRICANE (13): It was easy to dismiss the Hurricanes as a flash in the pan after last season’s atrocious performance, but they seem to be right back on track this year, with Eric Staal (five goals) and Justin Williams (eight points) leading the way. 4–1–1 21 11
9 CALGARY FLAMES (5): It’s far too early to call their reconciliation a success, but Kristian Huselius has managed to score four goals in six games under new head coach — and former nemesis — Mike Keenan. 2–2–2 21 21
10 COLORADO AVALANCHE (14): A dominant performance in relief of Peter Budaj on Tuesday night provided the Avs with a glimmer of hope that expensive backup netminder Jose Theodore justmighthavewhatittakestoreturn to his Hart Trophy-winning form. 4–2–0 20 18
11 ANAHEIM DUCKS (8):Ahuge bright spot for the Ducks has been the play of center Ryan Getzlaf. He’s building upon last spring’s terrific playoff performance, and has emerged as Anaheim’s most reliable and productive forward. 3–4–1 19 22
12 PITTSBURGH PENGUINS (7): The Pens breathed a Crosby finally broke through with his first two goals of the season. There’s plenty of young talent on this team, but Crosby is without question the straw that stirs the drink. 2–2–0 14 15
13 DALLAS STARS (12): The Stars have reportedly entered the Peter Forsberg sweepstakes, a curious development indeed. The Dallas defense is stingy, and the presence of a healthy Forsberg would make the team a Stanley Cup contender. His health is obviously an enormous question mark. 2–2–2 16 16
14 BUFFALO SABRES (17): The Sabres have been far better than expected following the off-season departures of Chris Drury and Briere. But if steady rearguard Jaroslav Spacek misses any time with a shoulder sprain, look for the Sabres to struggle in his absence. 3–2–0 24 16
15 VANCOUVER CANUCKS (9): With the Sedin twins way, are having a lot less difficulty scoring goals this season. But they’ll need for star netminder Roberto Luongo (3.17 GAA, .897 SV%, 3–3 record) to get back on track if the Canucks to rise to the top of the Northwest Division again. 3–3–0 18 21
16 MONTREAL CANADIENS (16): The Habs’ goaltending has been stellar, with Cristobal Huet doing a fine job holding off top prospect Carey Price. But with only 11 goals in five games, Montreal’s anemic offense is a huge concern. 2–1–2 11 12
17 TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING (20): Perhaps the biggest surprise in Tampa has been the continued strong play of Johan Holmqvist, a former Rangers castaway who has officially overtaken Marc Denis as the team’s de facto starter in goal. 3–1–0 14 10
18 FLORIDA PANTHERS (29): A 29-year-old “rookie” ineligible for the Calder Trophy, rearguard Cory Murphy has burst out of the gate with six points in six games. After spending six seasons in Europe, the Colgate University product has finally earned a spot in the NHL, and he’s making the most of it. 3–3–0 14 16
19 NEW YORK ISLANDERS (18): The performances of the top line — Mike Comrie, Ruslan Fedotenko, and Bill Guerin — and goaltender Rick DiPietro have been huge benefits, but the supporting cast needs to step up if the Isles are going to compete for a playoff spot. 3–3–0 14 20
20 NASHVILLE PREDATORS (11): The Preds are strong up the middle, with each of their top three centers — Jason Arnott, David Legwand, and Radek Bonk — scoring three goals through the first five games, while Dan Hamhuis has done a fine job replacing Kimmo Timonen on the power play point. 2–3–0 17 18
21 CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS (23): Rookie forwards Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews haven’t looked out of place in the early going, demonstrating uncommon poise as they’ve helped the once-hapless ‘Hawks get off to a surprisingly strong start. 3–2–0 9 9
22 ST. LOUIS BLUES (27): It’s easy to discount the Blues as a young team a few years away from contention. But with veterans such as Paul Kariya (six assists in four games) and Keith Tkachuk (four points in four games) providing veteran leadership, this team could do some damage in the playoff race. 3–1–0 15 8
23 BOSTON BRUINS (28): Like the Devils, the Bruins began the season on a long (fivegame) road trip. And after winning three of the five games, the Bruins return home with renewed hope that they will turn things around and put together a respectable performance this season. 3–2–0 15 14
24 NEW JERSEY DEVILS (22): With only two shots on goal and a minus-6 rating through his first five games with the Devils, free agent signee Dainius Zubrus has been a huge disappointment thus far. 2–3–0 13 16
25 TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS (26): Vesa Toskala has struggled mightily, while the incumbent Andrew Raycroft has been a stabilizing influence between the pipes. Meanwhile, captain Mats Sundin is proving he’s got plenty left in the tank, tallying 10 points through his first seven games. 2–3–2 26 29
26 COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS (25): Offensive production is again a key concern for the Blue Jackets, with Rick Nash’s measly four points leading the way. But the improved defense and goaltending (three shutouts in five games) is an extremely positive sign. 2–2–0 10 8
27 PHOENIX COYOTES (30): An atrocious minus-30 in his first 149 games with the Coyotes, defenseman Derek Morris has gotten off to a strong start this season, posting an impressive plus-4 rating through five games to lead the team. 2–3–0 12 14
28 EDMONTON OILERS (21): The big story for the Oilers has been the strong play of young forward Andrew Cogliano, a 2005 first-round pick who has burst onto the scene with five points in his first six games to lead the team. 2–4–0 12 20
29 LOS ANGELES KINGS (19): The Kings made the surprising but correct decision to return Jonathan Bernier to his Ontario Hockey League team. The team’s defense has been atrocious, and shell-shocking the young netminder any further would have been senseless.
2–5–0 19 30
30 ATLANTA THRASHERS (24): The Thrashers’ terrible start has cost head coach Bob Hartley his job. Now, GM Don Waddell will take over behind the bench, likely the final step before he, too, is replaced at the helm of this wayward franchise. 0–6–0 9 27
Mr. Greenstein is the editor in chief of InsideHockey.com.