Yes I know the Devils have a game tonight against the Ottawa Senators but it is time to be thankful at the quarter pole. I understand the last few games have not gone quite like expected but a break here or there and we probably are not talking about that. However the better late than never at the quarter report with much to feel good about.
An intro……..
Record: (14-6-1, 29 pts, 2nd in Atlantic and 4th in conf.)
Offensive Leaders:
Points — Zach Parise (27)
Goals — Zach Parise (13)
Assists — Zach Parise (14)
Goaltending Leaders:
Wins — Martin Brodeur (12)
GAA — Martin Brodeur (2.22)
Save % — Martin Brodeur (.920)
Okay on to the things to actually be thankful for. Here is our list of five things to be thankful for if you are a Devils fan right now.
1. The record of course! As a Devils fan, did you expect to be 14-6-1 with all of the injuries at this point. With the start at home and the start of the season combined with a below average defense decimated by anything that goes bump in the night. The Devils persevered and though it has been a stressful time in the last week…it is nice to know that right now the Devils are above teams like the Flyers and Rangers…something some pundits did not have at the start of the year. The Devils also have 3 games in hand on the Penguins by the way.
2. Parise has been Parise. Thank god! With 27 points in 21 games, the Zach Attack is leading the way. He is on pace for about 105 points. To think many non-Devil experts though Parise’s year last season was a bit of a fluke. Yes he had two seasons in the 60’s before the 95 point monster year. But clearly Zach Parise is the Devils’ best player. That +15 after 21 games does not hurt either and honestly about the only way Parise slows down is if someone injures him (knock on wood) and believe me as evidenced last week they have tried quite a bit!
3. Going “Greene” on D! No one saw this coming but with injuries to Oduya, Martin, and a 80% Colin White….someone had to step up. Enter Andy Greene ladies and gentlemen. Now the 3 goals and 6 assists do not seem like much but Greene has been playing well over 20 minutes a night and closer to 25 playing steady on the back end which is something the Devils have needed since the days of Stevens and Niedermayer and Daneyko. Its often not all that pretty but Andy Greene actually hits the net and gets back on his own end which is the one thing the Devils needed. Take a hint there Paul Martin!
4. Marty is thankfully Marty. Congrats on the latest Brodeur by the way. The numbers are steady at 12-6-1 with a 2.22 GAA and .920 save percentage. True Marty is still trying to tie Terry Sawchuk but that is okay. The bottom line is Brodeur is so much more than numbers and yes we all know what Scott Clemmensen did for the team but this team rises and sets on Brodeur at least for now much to the chagrin of naysayers. Someday soon it will be Parise’s and even Marty understands that. Expect more of the same as the season goes on Devils fans. Comforting isn’t it?
5. The best may be yet to come. That is the scary part. This Devils team has not put forth a 60 minute effort all season. They are still working out the kinks under Jacques Lemaire. Just imagine when they get healthy and all clicking at the same time. I have heard the same thing about Pittsburgh but I will go on record saying that New Jersey could beat Pittsburgh in a 7 game series. It is what it is.
So there you have it…some things to be really thankful for if you are a Devils fan. Have a Happy Thanksgiving and enjoy the hockey tonight!
