Ten Things Devils' Fans Can Be Thankful For
Holiday cheer for Jersey's Team
by: Steve Cangialosi
1) A TEAM THAT DOESN'T QUIT
Twice during New Jersey’s eight-game winning streak it was able to come from behind to win a game in which it trailed by two goals. I still point to Travis Zajac’s game tying goal at Tampa with one second left in regulation as setting a tone for a team that truly believes it’s in every game it plays. That game was back on October 8th and resulted in New Jersey’s first win of the season.
2) ZACH PARISE 
There’s Alexander Ovechkin and there’s Sidney Crosby. After those two super stars, you have to convince me that there is a better all around forward than Zach Parise in the National Hockey League with which to build a team around. Watch Parise without the puck. His work effort is contagious. Oh, and with the puck, he’s on pace for a 52-goal season.
3) PRUDENTIAL CENTER
Now in its third season of operation, we’re starting to take the NHL’s premier facility for granted. Wide concourses, good sightlines, and lighting that is second to none make this place special. The Nets say they’re moving to Brooklyn. Why?
4) MARTIN BRODEUR
With one blanking in his first 18 starts, his pursuit of Terry Sawchuk’s all-time shutout record has been tedious. Brodeur, however, has been solid. His 2.22 goals against average doesn’t quite tell the story of how at age 37, he’s still near the top of his game. A 43 win season means he’d reach the new frontier of 600 career regular season victories by April. This is not out of the question.
5) POSSIBLY THE NHL’S BEST COACH, CERTAINLY ITS BEST INSTRUCTOR
Jacques Lemaire is opening the eyes of even the team’s most experienced players when it comes to basics like effectively clearing the zone. Like anyone else, I wondered if his return behind New Jersey’s bench would stifle some of the team’s most gifted playmakers. With one quarter of the season in the books that fear has been erased.
6) A TEAM THAT DOESN’T MAKE EXCUSES
Sixty-six manpower games have been lost due to injury with the season just 21 games old. Loss of manpower in this case, means the loss of pivotal players: Jay Pandolfo, Paul Martin, Johnny Oduya, Rob Niedermayer and Dainius Zubrus all on the shelf. It’s provided others a chance to shine, and did not prevent this team from occupying first place three weeks into November.
7) A GOOD LOCKERROOM
I’ll bet you didn’t know that every Devils’ player is required to be at his locker for a minimum of ten minutes after every game to speak with the media, if necessary. Okay, this makes a reporter’s job easier. However, think about it from a team perspective: the same players are not asked to account for any shortcomings the Devils may have, night after night. The Mets should adopt this policy pronto.
8) LOU LAMORIELLO
A Hall of Fame general manager with no intention of stepping aside any time soon, Lamoriello gave this gem of a response when asked at his induction ceremony how much longer he’s like to remain on the job: “When I stop worrying if the buns on the plane are warm.” He oversees everything, and most of it rather efficiently.
9) CAP SPACE
If the Devils wish to get bold as trade deadline day approaches in March, they’ll have the ability to do so. There are teams with more talent. I’m not sure there is a contending club more equipped to make a move of significance.
10) A HOME HEAVY SCHEDULE
One that includes 10 of the next 12 games scheduled to be played at the Rock.
Happy Holidays every one!
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