Well it has finally happened…this is the last day of the regular season…the playoff matchups have been drawn up and everyone is ready for the second season. OH WAIT! No they haven’t….the East still has a spot in the balance….and that is why we have the Hockey Roundup!!
Hockey Roundup — April 8th….Easter Sunday
NOTHING ELSE MATTERS………
New York Islanders @ New Jersey Devils 3:30 EDT FSNY
Marty smiles….so will the Isles???
Eight is indeed enough as the Isles travel up the I-95 from Philly to the CAA to face the Devils….in the last regular season home game to ever be played at the CAA….ahhh the memories. The Isles, however, have some more urgent business. The door has been opened to sneak into the 8 seed in the playoffs. All they have to do is simply….WIN! Either by shootout or in regulation…by hook or by crook really. One minor question or not so minor depending on perspective…is this….will Martin Brodeur play. He is 6-1 against the Isles this year with 3 shutouts and an eyepopping .966 in the save percentage department. If you mention Brodeur to Isles fans…you probably get one of these….&*$%&. The Isles have gotten to 90 pts with three big wins led by Wade Dublewicz..well “The Dooby Dooby doo”. Who thought the Isles would be in this position when Dipietro went down with concussion issues? I didn’t…that’s for sure.
Ryan Smyth and company have a big mission ahead of them as the Devils want to send their fans off with a win..and Marty’s 49th…as well as the Devils 50th. Brian Gionta is expected back from a bruised foot injury…the Devils may even get Matvichuk back so they may be at full strength for the first time all season. All signs point to some fireworks at the CAA…and the playoff lives of the Isles and the Leafs hang in the balance. The ice will heat up and so will the GDT that can only be found on The NHL Arena.
For all the other action…including the two final NBC games of the season….The NHL Arena is the place to be.
The playoffs are coming soon……stay tuned……
