Current Western Conference leading San Jose invades the Prudential Center for a 3pm game today, another great measuring stick game for the Devils. Coming off of Friday's 1-0 blanking of east leading Boston, the Devils can measure themselves against one of the west's top teams. The Sharks will offer a different type of challenge for New Jersey, a run and gun offensive game with shots coming from everywhere. The Sharks defensive corps is very offensive minded and will test the Devils forwards to stay alert as they jump into the play.
Another reason the game is important is for playoff seeding purposes. The Devils are currently tied with Washington with 75 points for the #2 overall seed in the Eastern Conference and should the first round matchups play out as planned, the #2 seed would have home ice advantage over the #3 seeded club in the second round.
Today's game marks the return of one Claudette Lemieux (Hey, Johnny's blog Johnny's opinions) to New Jersey. The former Devil and disgraced turtle of a man who is known for hitting players from behind then not being able to defend his own honor or that of his team. The 43 year old Lemieux signed a contract earlier this year with San Jose.
Boy, is Johnny right about Claudette Lemieux. In his prime a player who loved to agitate using any dirty trick in the book but too cowardly to stand and take his punishment when the inevitable (and richly deserved) comeuppance was delivered.
ReplyDeleteAgitator, cowardly and now we can add OVER THE HILL.
I remember one night he kept trying to pick a fight with Slava Kozlov, a guy half his size and yet when Bob Rouse, a man Lemuiex's size skated over to challenge Claudette, he'd have nothing to do with Rouse, he kept trying to ONLY fight a guy smaller than himself.
ReplyDeleteStay classy Claudette
And Slava Kozlov has never been known as a fighter.
ReplyDeleteAnd let's not forget the Sharks play at Joe Louis Arena on February 25th. Darren McCarty who has a long storied history vs Claudette the turtle just came off the long term IR.
ReplyDeleteEven the Colorado players admitted they were ashamed by Lemieux's actions in turtling. Here's the brawl that launched a dynasty:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C7DlAjrhm9s&feature=
And who could forget this beauty
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cO1uhorF5LA&feature=