GDT: NJ Devils Vs. Washington Capitals @ 6pm EST - 1/1/04

GAME DAY PREVIEW

TONIGHT'S MATCHUP
Time: 6:00 PM ET
Venue: MCI Center
Away TV: MSG
Home TV: WB 80

New Jersey
http://sportsmed.starwave.com/i/teamlogos/nhl/sml/trans/njd.gif
(19-7-8-1)

Vs.

Washington
http://sportsmed.starwave.com/i/teamlogos/nhl/sml/trans/was.gif
(11-23-3-1)

WASHINGTON (Ticker) -- Martin Brodeur tries to continue his success with the New Jersey Devils against the Washington Capitals when the teams skate at the MCI Center.

Brodeur is 24-10-3 lifetime against the Capitals with six shutouts. He notched one of them on December 4 when he made only nine stops in a 3-0 victory.

Jeff Friesen, Turner Stevenson and defenseman Paul Martin all scored for New Jersey, which is 4-2-0-0 against Southeast Division opponents.

New Jersey is 7-2-2-1 in its last 12 games after Monday's 3-1 loss to the New York Islanders. The Devils' only losses in that span have come against the Islanders.

The Devils have split their last six road matchups with the Capitals.

2003-2004 SEASON SERIES
DATE LOC RESULT HI POINTS HI GOALS WINNING GOALIE
Dec. 4 at Njd NJD 3 WAS 0 3 tied with 2 3 tied with 1 Brodeur, 9 saves

DATE LOC TIME AWAY TV HOME TV NAT TV
Jan. 1 at Was 6:00 PM ET MSG WB 80
Jan. 17 at Njd 1:00 PM ET WB 80 FOX NY
Feb. 19 at Was 7:00 PM ET FOX NY COMCAST



TEAM STATISTICAL COMPARISON
Key: New Jersey
Washington

Avg. Goals For
2.5 (16)
2.5 (13)

Avg. Goals Against
1.7 (1)
3.2 (29)

Avg. Shots For
29.1 (11)
25.2 (27)

Avg. Shots Against
23.9 (2)
30.6 (27)

Power Play Pct.
16.3 (12)
21.7 (2)

Penalty Kill Pct.
88.5 (1)
82.4 (22)


TEAM W L T OTL PTS HOME ROAD EAST WEST DIV
New Jersey 19 7 8 1 47 9-4-3-1 10-3-5-0 16-5-5-1 3-2-3-0 8-2-1-1
Washington 11 23 3 1 26 5-10-1-1 6-13-1-0 9-14-3-1 2-9-0-0 5-2-1-1

NEW JERSEY
5 Game Log
Date Opp. Score
Jan. 1 at Washington 6:00
Jan. 3 at Nashville 6:00
Jan. 5 vs. Edmonton 6:00
Jan. 7 vs. Pittsburgh 6:00
Jan. 9 vs. Tampa Bay 6:00

WASHINGTON
5 Game Log
Date Opp. Score
Jan. 1 vs. New Jersey 6:00
Jan. 3 at Ottawa 6:00
Jan. 4 at Montreal 6:00
Jan. 7 vs. Phoenix 6:00
Jan. 9 vs. Carolina 6:00

NEW JERSEY STATISTICS
Forwards G A Pts +/- PIM
P. Elias 10 18 28 8 12
S. Gomez 4 16 20 2 32
Defensemen G A Pts +/- PIM
Rafalski 4 15 19 10 10
Niedermayer 7 10 17 10 16
Goaltending W L T GAA SV%
M. Brodeur 18 8 7 1.73 .926

WASHINGTON STATISTICS
Forwards G A Pts +/- PIM
R. Lang 19 25 44 -3 20
J. Jagr 13 24 37 -5 18
Defensemen G A Pts +/- PIM
S. Gonchar 4 32 36 -19 32
J. Doig 1 8 9 -6 56
Goaltending W L T GAA SV%
O. Kolzig 9 21 2 3.18 .895

The Caps are coming off a 7-1 drubbing at the hands of Buffalo so I'm sure they'll either come out raring to go or flat as hell. Either way, the Devils have to be ready.

Kolzig's sv% is really that low? Wow.

I can't freakin' believe this, the game is on metro again! This really blows.

I know and there are 3 of them this month. ARGH!

Biggest question of the night... Does Pihlman make his NHL debut?? My guess/hope is no. Wouldn't mind Darby filling in if Igor's leg is no good. We'll see.

the yahoo NHL pages show Pihlman in the lineup....!

No Eminger, Zubrus, or Bondra for the Caps tonight.

the yahoo NHL pages show Pihlman in the lineup....!

Darby is listed as a go for now also. Cant wait to see both play since I haven't seen much of either one yet.

Brylin is playing with Elias and Friesen so far. Gionta still on the checking line. Berglund, Gomez, and Marshall were just out there together.

Got to love the depth of this NJ organization. Larionov and Rasmussen out, Darby and Philman in. Check out the "young guns" on this roster right now. :yo:

we totally suck 5-on-3.

we totally suck 5-on-3.

Marshall did a good job working the boards, but so few shots thrown on net there. I didn't see a lot of offense outside of one shot by Elias. Everyone is always looking to pass the puck back to the point to Rafalski where the seconds just tick away one after another as the Devils try and get open - wish he had more of a booming shot from the point.

Mike Grier with his 2nd goal of the season. Hadn't scored since early October. Rafalski was beaten on the play, but it was a 2 on 1 after David Hale had a horrendous turnover in the neutral zone.

how long has it been since albelin played?

nm, December 21st against Chicago.

Marshall did a good job working the boards, but so few shots thrown on net there. I didn't see a lot of offense outside of one shot by Elias. Everyone is always looking to pass the puck back to the point to Rafalski where the seconds just tick away one after another as the Devils try and get open - wish he had more of a booming shot from the point.

Andy Delmore anyone? He was just waived today. Maybe we could dress him as the 7th defenceman used only for the PP. Has a booming shot and im sure rafi could set him up nicley. I for one have a hard time seeing lou taking on his 1.3 mil contract.

Awesome faceoff work from Darby so far. 100% after four from what I've seen.

let's see how this 5-on-3 goes...

What the heck is wrong with our team?
}:-(>
The second two man advantage for us in the game...let's see what happens.

They're not getting the bounces to go their way so far, but they still look a little flat. There's no edge to their game.

Hard to believe there are only 11 teams better then NJ currently on the PP after watching those last two 5 on 3's go for naught.

The second two man advantage for us in the game...let's see what happens.
Poof!
The magical disapperaing 5-on-3
}:-(>
Un-be-flippin'-lievable!!!!
Our defense is still in mid-December!!

How's Philman faring so far?

How's Philman faring so far?

Pretty quiet through 5-6 shifts. Hasn't had to take any faceoffs yet and hasn't thrown the body much from what I've seen. Nothing flashy.

It seems when Niedermayer or Rafalski don't end up on the score sheet, this team will struggle for goals unfortunately. :cry:

Marshall scores on the PP to tie it up.

Elias just took his helmet off before the goal and the Comcast camera guys showed a full head of jet black hair. Didn't see any red streaks at all like Sundinfan mentioned yesterday at practice.

Finally!

Emerick: "Gionta down on the ice, nothing new."

Marshall scores on the PP to tie it up.

Elias just took his helmet off before the goal and the Comcast camera guys showed a full head of jet black hair. Didn't see any red streaks at all like Sundinfan mentioned yesterday at practice.

For every 7 PP's, NJ scores once. :lol: :shakehead

Stevens with a pretty good hit on Bates Battaglia in the neutral zone.

Marshall's play has gotten better of late. Good to see that. Like to see Madden get it going now, can't believe he's only got six goals.

Halpern responds with a shoulder to Martin's head as he's crossing the blue line.

Brylin scores immediately on the PP.

whoo! PP goal! :D

Weak call to get the devils on the PP.

Hey Unthinkable, are the refs actually calling a "fair game". I'm looking just at the PP chances and well, 8 to 1? (Not that I'm complaining or anything, but still NJ PP :lol: :cry: )

Hey Unthinkable, are the refs actually calling a "fair game". I'm looking just at the PP chances and well, 8 to 1? (Not that I'm complaining or anything, but still NJ PP :lol: :cry: )

Caps probably should have gotten a PP on the Stevens hit since the puck wasn't near Battaglia when Scotty hit him. Washington has been shortchanged a few times tonight. I can think of 2 or 3 times where they could have gotten calls to go their way through 2 periods. One was a blatant hold a Devils player got away with.

Caps probably should have gotten a PP on the Stevens hit since the puck wasn't near Battaglia when Scotty hit him. Washington has been shortchanged a few times tonight. I can think of 2 or 3 times where they could have gotten calls to go their way through 2 periods. One was a blatant hold a Devils player got away with.

Well then. I'm glad this isn't a playoff game (imagine the ref bashing).

Thanks for the Unthinkable. ;)

Caps tie it up on the PP. Kwiatkowski scores from near the center of the right faceoff circle on a rebound.

Caps tie it up on the PP. Kwiatkowski scores from near the center of the right faceoff circle on a rebound.

Is Rupp in the doghouse? The guy played a critical role last year, but he's played less than Pihlman so far tonight.

Is Rupp in the doghouse? The guy played a critical role last year, but he's played less than Pihlman so far tonight.

Think so. Usually Burns rolls 4 lines a lot more then he's doing in this one although the Devs have had 16 minutes of power plays tonight so that skews things.

On the Isle-Sens broadcast one of the announcers mentioned that Daniel Alfredsson yesterday guranteed that Ottawa will win the Stanley Cup this year, anybody else catch this?

On the Isle-Sens broadcast one of the announcers mentioned that Daniel Alfredsson yesterday guranteed that Ottawa will win the Stanley Cup this year, anybody else catch this?

Yeah, I saw two or three threads in the NHL talk forum over the last few days since he said it. I'm not a big fan of captains doing this myself. Lead by example is what I want to see. I wouldn't want to read Scott Stevens saying this.

Yeah, I saw two or three threads in the NHL talk forum over the last few days since he said it. I'm not a big fan of captains doing this myself. Lead by example is what I want to see. I wouldn't want to read Scott Stevens saying this.
My sentiments exactly, have no idea what that accomplishes except put more pressure on you and your teammates. And hell I don't think Stevens would even think of saying something like that.

Kolzig played pretty well. I doubt the new Caps coach gave his team the riot act so soon after last nights blowout vs the Sabres, but I'm sure he lit into them pretty good nonetheless before this one. Gomez may have had the pass of the game with a no look, back pass to Berglund in the 3rd period. Really nice stuff - too bad they didn't score on that rush. This was a glorious chance to make up 2 points on the Flyers tonight. Disappointing that they couldn't hold onto the 2-1 lead again. Few more games like this and maybe LL will reconsider the need to add a goalscorer on the wing.

Missing Larionov hurt tonight. Imagine the 5 on 3's, with the shooting lanes and a guy who could get the players the puck. :dunno:

On the Isle-Sens broadcast one of the announcers mentioned that Daniel Alfredsson yesterday guranteed that Ottawa will win the Stanley Cup this year, anybody else catch this?

I think he said it in an article, I saw a thread on this in the NHL Game night board.

Brian Gionta Won 2 Lost 0 - 100%
Christian Berglund Won 1 Lost 0 - 100%

Craig Darby Won 5 Lost 2 - 71%

John Madden Won 11 Lost 11 - 50%

Sergei Brylin Won 9 Lost 12 - 42%

Scott Gomez Won 4 Lost 11 - 26%
Patrik Elias Won 1 Lost 3 - 25%

Never Give Up

http://us.news2.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20040102/capt.mci20301020111.devils_capitals_mci203.jpg

New Jersey Devils' Brian Gionta, on the ice, and John Madden, front right, work for the puck against Washington Capitals' Robert Lang (20) of the Czech Republic and Brendan Witt, left, during the second period Thursday, Jan. 1, 2004, in Washington.
(AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)



http://us.news2.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20040102/capt.mci20101020050.devils_capitals_mci201.jpg

Washington Capitals' Mike Grier (25) scores against New Jersey Devils goalie Martin Brodeur, back center, and Brian Rafalski (28) during the first period Thursday, Jan. 1, 2004, in Washington.
(AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)



http://us.news2.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20040102/capt.mci20201020049.devils_capitals_mci202.jpg

New Jersey Devils goalie Martin Brodeur (30) and teammate Scott Niedermayer (27) defend against Washington Capitals' Robert Lang of the Czech Republic during the first period Thursday, Jan. 1, 2004, in Washington.
(AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

On the Isle-Sens broadcast one of the announcers mentioned that Daniel Alfredsson yesterday guranteed that Ottawa will win the Stanley Cup this year, anybody else catch this?

I believe he meant that the Sens would win the Cup eventually. One of his quotes in particular said that if they kept the core of the team together, they had a great shot barring injuries and stuff.

Completely blown out of proportion but understandably so.

I believe he meant that the Sens would win the Cup eventually. One of his quotes in particular said that if they kept the core of the team together, they had a great shot barring injuries and stuff.

Completely blown out of proportion but understandably so.
Yeah after unthinkable told me there that there was a thread or two on it I tracked one of them down, there was a big argument about what he actually meant, it was pretty funny.