Even though the Devils’ 2013 season is over, we can still look back at some great moments in New Jersey’s playoff history.
On May 9…
1994- Martin Brodeur stops all 22 shots he faces, pitching his first-career playoff shutout in New Jersey’s 2-0 win over the Boston Bruins in game 5 of the Eastern Conference semifinals at Brendan Byrne Arena.
2001- Patrik Elias scores twice, and Scott Stevens and John Madden each add a goal and an assist, as the Devils blitz the Toronto Maple Leafs 5-1 in game 7, winning the best-of-seven Eastern Conference semifinal series, 4-3.
Even though the Devils’ 2013 season is over, we can still look back at some great moments in New Jersey’s playoff history.
On May 8…
1988- Officials boycott game 4 of the Wales Conference finals between the Devils and Boston Bruins, after the NHL did not suspend New Jersey coach Jim Schoenfeld for his postgame outburst at referee Don Koharski.
Schoenfeld subsequently was suspended, replacement officials were used and Lou Lamoriello coached New Jersey to a 3-1 win in game 4 at Brendan Byrne Arena. David Maley, Pat Verbeek and Tom Kurvers each scored goals, as the Devils even the best-of-seven series at 2.
1995- Just a day removed from his second-career playoff shutout, Martin Brodeur shuts out the Boston Bruins again, 3-0, in game 2 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals at Boston Garden.
2000- Brodeur stops all six shots he faces– yes six, that’s not a typo– in New Jersey’s 3-0 Eastern Conference semifinal-clinching game 6 win at Continental Airlines Arena.
Petr Sykora and Jason Arnott each register a goal and an assist, as New Jersey wins the series 4-2.
2012- Ilya Kovalchuk records a goal and an assist, and David Clarkson scores the eventual game-winning goal, as the Devils polish off the Philadelphia Flyers with a 3-1 win in game 5 of the Eastern Conference semifinals at Wells Fargo Center.
The Devils claim the series 4-1 and advance to the Eastern Conference finals.
Even though the Devils’ 2013 season is over, we can still look back at some great moments in New Jersey’s playoff history.
On May 7…
1994- Stephane Richer’s goal at 14:19 of the first overtime lifts New Jersey to a 5-4 win over the Boston Bruins in game 4 of the Eastern Conference semifinals at Boston Garden.
Ben Hankinson, Valeri Zelepukin and Bernie Nicholls each pot goals, and Richer nets two as the Devils even the series at 2.
1995- Martin Brodeur stops all 23 shots, and Claude Lemiuex pots a pair of goals in New Jersey’s 5-0 win over the Bruins in game 1 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals at Boston Garden.
2001- Petr Sykora scores once and adds an assist, and Brian Rafalski pots the eventual game-winning goal late in the second, as the Devils stave off elimination with a 4-2 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs in game 6 of the Eastern Conference semifinals at Air Canada Centre.
Even though the Devils’ 2013 season is over, we can still look back at some great moments in New Jersey’s playoff history.
On May 6…
1972- Denis and Mireille Brodeur welcomed a baby boy, Martin, into the world. That boy would grow into the Devils’ — and arguably the NHL’s — greatest goalie of all time.
1988- The Boston Bruins hammer the Devils, 6-1, in game 3 of the Wales Conference Finals at Brendan Byrne Arena, taking a 2-1 edge in the best-of-7 series.
Still, this game is widely remembered for the postgame verbal — and possible physical — assault by Devils coach Jim Schoenfeld on official Don Koharski.
2000- Scott Gomez registers two assists, and John Madden notches the game-winning goal, helping the Devils to a 4-3 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs in game 5 of the Eastern Conference semifinals at Air Canada Centre.
2012- After falling behind 2-0, the Devils storm back for four-unanswered goals, beating the Philadelphia Flyers 4-2 in game 4 of the Eastern Conference semifnals at Prudential Center.
Dainius Zubrus scores twice, and Petr Sykora registers a goal and an assist, as the Devils take a 3-1 series advantage.
Devilish Decisions: David Clarkson
Corey Griffin
This is the first in a series of posts on the Devils’ pending free agents (restricted and unrestricted). We’ll cover their strengths and weaknesses and end up with a final verdict on whether we think the Devils should re-sign the player. There will also be a poll at the end of each post so you guys can weigh in with your thoughts.
Position: Right wing Age: 29 2013 statistics: 48 games/15 goals, 9 assists, 24 points/minus-6 rating, 78 PIMs Free-agent status: Unrestricted 2012-13 salary/cap hit: $3 million/$2.66 million (via Cap Geek) Team history: Signed as undrafted free agent on Aug. 12, 2005
What he brings: Clarkson has developed into your prototypical power forward. He’s not the biggest guy (6-foot-1, 200 pounds) but he plays about two inches bigger than his bio. He’s strong on the forecheck and is one of those gritty “glue” guys that every team loves to have. He plays in all three phrases and also loves to get under the opposing team’s skin with the way he plays. The difference between the Clarkson of three years ago and the player that’s about to become an unrestricted free agent is scoring touch. Clarkson had always been a solid 10-to-15-goals per year kind of player until he finally reached the 30-goal plateau last season. Entering this season, there were questions about whether that was a fluke or whether he had legitimately reached another level of his development. Playing a full 48-game slate in the lockout year, Clarkson scored on a 25-goal pace and was constantly around the net, narrowly missing five to 10 additional goals over the course of the season.
Even though the Devils’ 2013 season is over, we can still look back at some great moments in New Jersey’s playoff history.
On May 1…
2000- Patrik Elias records a goal and two assists, and Scott Gomez and Claude Lemieux each post two-point games, leading the Devils to a 5-1 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs in game 3 of the Eastern Conference semifinals at Continental Airlines Arena.
2001- Brian Rafalski’s overtime goal lifts New Jersey to a 3-2 victory over the Maple Leafs in game 3 of New Jersey’s Eastern Conference semifinals at Air Canada Centre.
2012- The Devils score four third-period goals– with David Clarkson’s proving as the game winner– as New Jersey knots up its Eastern Conference semifinal series with a 4-1 win over the Philadelphia Flyers at Wells Fargo Center.
Even though the Devils’ 2013 season is over, we can still look back at some great moments in New Jersey’s playoff history.
On April 29…
1994- Claude Lemieux’s power-play goal at 13:49 of the second period proves to be the game-winner in New Jersey’s 2-1 win over the Buffalo Sabres in game 7 of their Eastern Conference quarterfinal series.
The Devils win the series 4-3, claiming their first playoff series since 1988.
2000- Martin Brodeur stops all 20 shots, and Colin White scores the game’s only goal in the Devils’ 1-0 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs in game 2 of the Eastern Conference semifinals at Air Canada Centre. New Jersey evens the best-of-seven series at 1 game apiece.
2006- Patrik Elias records a goal and two assists and Brian Gionta’s shorthanded goal proves as the game-winner as the Devils polish off a sweep of the Rangers with a 4-2 win in game 4 of their Eastern Conference quarterfinal series.
Even though the Devils’ playoff chances are finished for 2013, we can still look back at some great moments in New Jersey’s playoff history.
On April 28…
2001- After losing game one, the Devils blow a 5-1 third-period lead in game 2 of their Eastern Conference semifinal series with the Toronto Maple Leafs. But Randy McKay’s goal at 5:30 of the first overtime lifts New Jersey to a 6-5 win over the Leafs, evening their best-of-seven series at 1.
For those who don’t remember:
2003- New Jersey falls behind against the Tampa Bay Lightning 3-0 after one period but rallies to tie the game at three with three second-period goals.
But Dave Andreychuk’s third-period goal lifts the Lightning to a 4-3 win, cutting New Jersey’s series lead to 2-1. Game 3 is more memorable because Devils defenseman Scott Stevens was injured after being hit in the head by a Pavel Kubina slap shot. Stevens left the game but returned in game 4.
2007- Jamie Langenbrunner’s goal at 1:55 of the second overtime lifts New Jersey to a 3-2 win over the Ottawa Senators, evening the series at 1.
That win was the Devils’ final victory at the Continental Airlines Arena.
2009- Despite clinging to a one-goal lead late in the third, New Jersey surrenders two goals in the final 1:20– just 48 seconds apart– as the Carolina Hurricanes claimed game 7 4-3, claiming the best-of-seven series by the same margin.
No clips necessary. I’m sure we all remember that one.
The Devils are still faintly alive in the Eastern Conference playoff race.
New Jersey must win out and get some help. But after falling behind 2-0 Saturday afternoon, the Devils responded with six-unanswered goals in a 6-2 win over the Florida Panthers.
In Winnipeg, the Jets scored late to force overtime against the New York Islanders. New York claimed a 5-4 shootout win Saturday.
The Jets’ loss leaves them in a precarious spot. Winnipeg now trails the Rangers by one point and the Washington Capitals by three for the Southeast Division lead. The Jets have played the same number of games as Washington and one more than the Rangers.
Winnipeg will meet Washington Tuesday in a game that could eliminate the Jets from division contention. The Caps beat the Montreal Canadiens 5-1 on Saturday at Bell Centre
The Ottawa Senators, still fighting for their playoff lives, fell at home to the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-1 on Saturday night. The Leafs clinched a playoff berth with that victory.
That’s what happened yesterday. Here is what will go down Sunday.
The Devils and Rangers meet at Madison Square Garden at 3 p.m. New Jersey needs to beat New York, ideally in regulation, but even an overtime or shootout win will keep the Devils alive for the No. 8 seed.
However if the Devils win in regulation or overtime, that is the best-cased scenario. The Devils must win out, and hope the Rangers go 0-2-2 or worse, to surpass New York.
The Boston Bruins trail the Canadiens by two points for first place in the Northeast Division. Boston can pull even with Montreal if it can knock off the Panthers on Sunday afternoon.
Here is the full slate of Eastern Conference games with playoff implications. All times are p.m. and eastern time.
The full story behind New Jersey’s 3-0 win over the Philadelphia Flyers– a victory that snaps the Devils’ 10-game losing streak (NorthJersey.com) (NJ.com) (AP) (NHL.com)
Rich Chere discusses how New Jersey endured physical punishment in virtually ending Philadelphia’s playoff hopes (NJ.com)
Tom Gulitti explores Peter Harrold’s key play that led to New Jersey’s first goal on Thursday (Fire & Ice)
