Fresh New Season Open Thread

« The Big IPB 2011-2012 Devils Season Preview

Fresh New Season Open Thread

October 8, 2011 by Schnookie

It’s time to don your shiniest captain’s monocle, slip into your full replica Larsson uniform, and push all your memories of last season into a deep, dark place. It’s OPENING NIGHT! WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!

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Posted in Open Thread | 168 Comments

168 Responses

on October 8, 2011 at 7:09 pm Schnookie

Look at how young and fresh-faced the Devils look! This looks like a team of winners!
on October 8, 2011 at 7:10 pm kellyn

Hello, everyone.

So am I the only person sitting in front of the television saying “Who are these people?” as they skate out onto the ice?
on October 8, 2011 at 7:11 pm Iain T

No European NHL tv deal yet :( However, a nice person has pointed me towards an excellent live stream, so happy days (or rather, nights) are here again! WOOOO!
on October 8, 2011 at 7:12 pm suenj97

In the pre-game they asked Patrik if he had any advice for Zach, as a previous Captain to the shiny new Captain. I think Patrik was very classy not to say, “Yes. Try and make sure they don’t hire a coach who hates you and takes your captaincy away.”
on October 8, 2011 at 7:13 pm Iain T

Solid advice, though.

Have to say, that “C” looks awfully good there.
on October 8, 2011 at 7:14 pm Schnookie

So am I the only person sitting in front of the television saying “Who are these people?” as they skate out onto the ice?

Heh heh. Nope, you’re definitely not alone on that one. Especially that “Brad Mills” guy. Has anyone ever heard of him??

“Yes. Try and make sure they don’t hire a coach who hates you and takes your captaincy away.”

:^:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Zach, of course, can’t even contemplate a coach who would hate him. He’s like, “But I bring the coaching staff shiny red apples every morning. Why would they hate me?”
on October 8, 2011 at 7:15 pm Schnookie

Have to say, that “C” looks awfully good there.

Totally. The consensus at IPB Manor was that it just looks right.

Aaaand here’s Sykora picking up right where he left off… :P
on October 8, 2011 at 7:15 pm kellyn

I officially hate Petr Sykora too. Dumb penalty.
on October 8, 2011 at 7:16 pm suenj97

Especially that “Brad Mills” guy. Has anyone ever heard of him??

His mother, maybe. And Lou, since apparently he signed him to a contract.

A penalty, 30 seconds into the new season. Same shit, different season. Nice of them to show us so early.
on October 8, 2011 at 7:18 pm Iain T

Hmmm. Steve’s no Doc, that’s for sure. We really lost the wrong half of the commentary team.
on October 8, 2011 at 7:19 pm Schnookie

His mother, maybe. And Lou, since apparently he signed him to a contract.

:^:::::::::::::::::::::: I feel like Lou signed him to that contract, like, 10 minutes before game time.

And Andy Greene looked good on that PK! Can I be positive that the off-year/on-year alternating thing has been confirmed now?
on October 8, 2011 at 7:19 pm suenj97

We really lost the wrong half of the commentary team.

Yep. I’m willing to offer Chico as a human sacrifice to Blersus if they’ll send Doc back.
on October 8, 2011 at 7:20 pm Schnookie

We really lost the wrong half of the commentary team.

:^:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Yeeeeeeeeeeeah. Of course, Steve might help to keep Chico’s rambling to a minimum, since he obviously doesn’t have enough game to go as far off topic as Doc could be while still calling a game. Maybe this will be good for Chico? (Who am I kidding?)
on October 8, 2011 at 7:21 pm kellyn

Am I the only one who was a little surprised Zach got the ‘C’? He totally deserves it, but I thought for sure they were going to go with the ambiguous, three alternate captains route like they always do. And I remember reading somewhere that the Devils might attempt to ‘punish’ Zach for only signing for one year by withholding the ‘C’.
on October 8, 2011 at 7:24 pm kellyn

I’m glad to see that Marty’s come to play. Too bad no one else has.
on October 8, 2011 at 7:24 pm Amy

Marty looks good so far.

And the Devils upgraded to Eric Boulton from Adam Mair? That…does not compute.
on October 8, 2011 at 7:25 pm Schnookie

I couldn’t decide whether it would make sense (in as much as the Devils ever make sense) to withhold the C or rotate it this year, after how discombobulated last year was. Maybe in a vacuum it would have been an option not to give Zach the C until he’s locked up long-term, but it seems like the team really needed to present more of a look of stability after last season. I dunno. With Lou, ours is not to question, right? :P
on October 8, 2011 at 7:29 pm kellyn

Am I the only one who’s worried that the Devils won’t play for Pete Deboer? I mean, Jacques can only come out of retirement so many times. He’s not going to live forever.
on October 8, 2011 at 7:31 pm Tim

Aaaargh, Steve has radio morning zoo crew pronunciation. This is going to be a long season.

Also, WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! Hockey’s back!
on October 8, 2011 at 7:31 pm suenj97

With Lou, ours is not to question, right? :P

We could, but it would make absolutely no difference. Lou would do everything exactly the same way.

NJ is still having the same issues clearing the zone they had last year.
on October 8, 2011 at 7:32 pm Iain T

I adopted a kitten in August. She seems confused as to why I am a) still up and b) shouting at my PC.
on October 8, 2011 at 7:32 pm Iain T

Well, shit.
on October 8, 2011 at 7:33 pm Tim

Oops. My bad. My exuberance distracted Marty.
on October 8, 2011 at 7:33 pm Schnookie

Am I the only one who’s worried that the Devils won’t play for Pete Deboer?

Pish posh! This is the Larsson Era! Things are going to be different now! (Except for that goal there…)
on October 8, 2011 at 7:33 pm kellyn

It’s too bad that Claude Giroux is a Flyer. Then I could not hate myself for liking him.
on October 8, 2011 at 7:33 pm Pookie

I was also thinking the three alternate captains thing was going to happen, but I suppose it’s just SO obvious that Zach should get the C, it would just be too much of a slap in the face to deprive him of it. That’s not a way to lure a guy into signing for less as a free agent.

Poop! That Giroux kid is good at hockey. If I tell Laviolette that Giroux’s not interested in being on dry island, do you think he’d trade him for Brad Mills?
on October 8, 2011 at 7:34 pm Schnookie

Awww, Iain, that’s so exciting about your new kitten! We adopted ours during the lockout, and they are still perturbed when we watch hockey. We’ve got Boomer’s cats living with us, too, and they’re all patient and calm when we’re screaming at the TV because they grew up with it. But the Juniors? Nope. They can’t cope at all. The moral of the story is to never adopt a cat during a year without hockey.
on October 8, 2011 at 7:34 pm Pookie

Awww, a new kitten! How sweet! I hope you named her Larsson. :D
on October 8, 2011 at 7:35 pm Tim

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! Adam Larsson with a textbook poke check!

WOOOOOOooooo….is that worthy of a woo?
on October 8, 2011 at 7:37 pm Iain T

@Tim – I don’t see why not.

Woo!
on October 8, 2011 at 7:37 pm Schnookie

I feel like Claude Giroux is a victim of circumstance more than being a stinky Flyer. I’m sure if given the choice, he’d TOTALLY want to be a Devil. Right?

And Tim, yes, poke checks are worthy of woos when Larsson does them. I mean, consider that by the second period of Game 1 last year the Devils were already shooting stink lines off of all our TVs, computers, and radios. Let’s not take ANYTHING for granted now.
on October 8, 2011 at 7:38 pm Iain T

She didn’t seem like a Larsson. So we called her Newt. Say hello to the nice people, Newt!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/swooshiain/6224691422/
on October 8, 2011 at 7:39 pm Tim

Awww, that kitten does look like a newt. Though be careful that when it gets better it doesn’t try to burn you for a witch.
on October 8, 2011 at 7:40 pm Pookie

Hi, Newt! She’s adorable!! And that picture is hilarious!
on October 8, 2011 at 7:40 pm kellyn

Mills for Giroux sounds like a fair trade to me. But he’ll probably only come over if he can live with Marty – apparently he likes living with older, divorced French Canadian teammates with nine hundred children.
on October 8, 2011 at 7:40 pm suenj97

If I tell Laviolette that Giroux’s not interested in being on dry island, do you think he’d trade him for Brad Mills?

Hmmm…is there any way to give LSD to the coach, GM and owner of the Flyers and then have Holmgren speak to Lou and make that deal? All of them would need to be on acid to make sure the coach or the owner couldn’t stop the GM.
on October 8, 2011 at 7:40 pm Schnookie

EEEEEEEEEE! Newt is SO adorable!!!
on October 8, 2011 at 7:42 pm Tim

Mills for Giroux sounds like a fair trade to me. But he’ll probably only come over if he can live with Marty – apparently he likes living with older, divorced French Canadian teammates with nine hundred children.

This sounds like a summary for a terrible Penthouse Forums letter.
on October 8, 2011 at 7:42 pm suenj97

I didn’t think something named Newt could be that cute.
on October 8, 2011 at 7:42 pm Amy

apparently he likes living with older, divorced French Canadian teammates with nine hundred children.

If I didn’t know that was the truth, I would swear you were pitching a sitcom pilot. A modern day Full House, if you will.

And Newt is quite adorable.
on October 8, 2011 at 7:45 pm Iain T

Newt was named after the cute little girl from Aliens, on the grounds that she was, well, really cute. It was Nat’s idea, not mine :)

Kovy needs to get a move on if he’s going to get that hat-trick I need for the AmazingLeague,
on October 8, 2011 at 7:45 pm Tim

GIS for “cute newt” brought up these two, and they demand apologies sue:

http://skreened.com/render-product/c/c/e/ccecqduybzjpykamatys/image.w174h200f3.jpg

http://blogs.nationalgeographic.com/blogs/bioblitz/calnewt.jpg
on October 8, 2011 at 7:46 pm kellyn

Ugh. Uncle Joey had to be the worst television character that claimed to be a hockey fan. The best is David Boreanaz as Booth in Bones. For obvious reasons.
on October 8, 2011 at 7:47 pm Tim

Is it just me, or is Larsson being really lazy on this shift?
on October 8, 2011 at 7:47 pm Tim

Nevermind, that was Kovy.
on October 8, 2011 at 7:47 pm suenj97

The PP is useless, but Marty wasn’t.

And Tim, just because other people think those are cute…
on October 8, 2011 at 7:48 pm Iain T

Nevermind, that was Kovy.

Sounds about right.

Dammit.
on October 8, 2011 at 7:49 pm suenj97

Boreanaz is a hockey fan. I’ve heard him interviewed (and he was a vampire hockey fan in Angel). Unforunately, he’s a Flyer fan, but there’s no accounting for taste (and he may be from the area originally, I’m not sure).
on October 8, 2011 at 7:51 pm kellyn

Robin from How I Met Your Mother is also a hockey fan.
on October 8, 2011 at 7:53 pm Iain T

Think I’m going to have to retire to the Land of Nod. I look forward to reading the match report in the morning, describing the 8 wonderful goals we scored in the 2nd & 3rd periods.

Enjoy the rest of the game, folks. And Newt says “thanks for all the compliments”. At least, I assume that’s what that meow meant.
on October 8, 2011 at 7:53 pm Amy

Unforunately, he’s a Flyer fan, but there’s no accounting for taste (and he may be from the area originally, I’m not sure).

He was born in Buffalo, but grew up in Philly when his dad transferred to Philly to work as a weatherman in a bigger TV market.
on October 8, 2011 at 7:54 pm Schnookie

G’night Iain! No offense, but I hope you were the reason the Devils didn’t dominate in the first period… :P
on October 8, 2011 at 7:55 pm Pookie

Nevermind, that was Kovy.

Sounds about right.

I was just about to say that!

Goodnight, Iain and Newt!

What, no love for DB Sweeney?!
on October 8, 2011 at 8:02 pm suenj97

I’m shocked. Dom Cherry is wearing a normal suit. Did someone sedate him?
on October 8, 2011 at 8:02 pm suenj97

Don
on October 8, 2011 at 8:04 pm Schnookie

Did we manage to rid ourselves of Dano this summer???
on October 8, 2011 at 8:06 pm suenj97

I don’t know. He was still on Hockey Night Live’s season preview – the MSG program.
on October 8, 2011 at 8:08 pm Tim

Okie dokie, I’m off to go drinking. Hopefully Adam Larsson, Blessed Be Thy Name, pulls us out of the fire.
on October 8, 2011 at 8:08 pm EJGRgunner

Brad Mills looks like the dorky freshman the heroes of a college comedy befriend because he has a car. With all the kiddies on the team, that may not be far from the truth.
on October 8, 2011 at 8:10 pm Pookie

Have fun, Tim! Although, I can’t imagine what about the Devils PP would make a person want to go drinking…

Gunner, you’re so right about Mills. Teddenboner and JJ the Jet Plane are going to get in so much trouble thanks to Mills possession of a car.
on October 8, 2011 at 8:13 pm suenj97

According to MSG, Deb Placey replaced Steve as the program host and Dano is still the studio analyst. I’m not sure why we got Jim Dowd.
on October 8, 2011 at 8:15 pm suenj97

So, we lost Volchenkov again?
on October 8, 2011 at 8:17 pm suenj97

Brad Mills looks like the dorky freshman the heroes of a college comedy befriend because he has a car.

Brad Mills is Flounder driving Otter to the Food King?
on October 8, 2011 at 8:19 pm EJGRgunner

I am being driven slowly mad by the new Gamecenter Live commercial break music. It sounds like a classic rock song you’ve heard a thousand times, but it isn’t.
on October 8, 2011 at 8:21 pm EJGRgunner

I like DeBoer playing kids on the PK. You need guys out there who can hustle back and forth like mad men – someone with young legs.

And sue, I was thinking more this guy: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0702809/
on October 8, 2011 at 8:21 pm Schnookie

Dude, Mills probably also has fake ID’s for all the guys! Man, Zach is gonna be so pissed…
on October 8, 2011 at 8:25 pm Amy

Since Larsson is so young, has he been “adopted” by a member of the Devils yet to make sure he stays out of trouble and has food to eat?
on October 8, 2011 at 8:27 pm Pookie

The real reason the Devils didn’t print a media guide this year was so that Zach couldn’t check the guy’s actual birthdays against their fake IDs.
on October 8, 2011 at 8:28 pm EJGRgunner

I’d get used to outlet passes like that from Zubrus, Ilya. Anyone want to lay odds on Kovalchuk murdering Zubrus in his sleep before Christmas?
on October 8, 2011 at 8:29 pm suenj97

Since Larsson is so young, has he been “adopted” by a member of the Devils yet to make sure he stays out of trouble and has food to eat?

They used to do that. I’m afraid if they send him home with Marty he’ll have too much food to eat.
on October 8, 2011 at 8:29 pm EJGRgunner

C’mon sue, like Marty would let anyone else eat any of his food?
on October 8, 2011 at 8:34 pm Pookie

C’mon sue, like Marty would let anyone else eat any of his food?

:^:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

I’m trying to think what vet I’d want a young guy living with. The Iron Boar is really the only one who doesn’t seem like he’d do irreparable damage.
on October 8, 2011 at 8:36 pm EJGRgunner

Tallinder seems like he’d be an okay dude to bunk with.
on October 8, 2011 at 8:37 pm suenj97

I’m trying to think what vet I’d want a young guy living with. The Iron Boar is really the only one who doesn’t seem like he’d do irreparable damage.

Do we know anything about Tallinder? Besides the fact that he’s been sort of a disappointment on the ice…he seems harmless off it.
on October 8, 2011 at 8:38 pm Pookie

Besides the fact that he’s been sort of a disappointment on the ice…he seems harmless off it.

Um… other than that whole rape accusation thing…
on October 8, 2011 at 8:39 pm suenj97

I never heard about that. OK, I take it back.
on October 8, 2011 at 8:41 pm Schnookie

Zach’s hair looks EXTRA spiky tonight. I just suggested he’d demanded to Boxworthy, “I say, man, I’m the captain now — my hair must be exceptionally spiked.” And Pookie added: “I have to be spiky for thirty men!”
on October 8, 2011 at 8:43 pm Pookie

I never heard about that. OK, I take it back.

It was a while ago, I think, but it did get him suspended from international play with Sweden. So… probably not a cool dude to bunk with. :D
on October 8, 2011 at 8:45 pm Amy

Um… other than that whole rape accusation thing…

But other than the alleged third man in thing, he was a model citizen in Buffalo.

Zach’s hair looks EXTRA spiky tonight.

I wonder just how much gel is needed to keep those spikes intact underneath a helmet. That has to be Jersey Shore level of hair product use.
on October 8, 2011 at 8:45 pm Pookie

That has to be Jersey Shore level of hair product use.

:^:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
on October 8, 2011 at 8:52 pm EJGRgunner

Let’s look at the Devils vets and the reasons why they’d be terrible to live with:

David Clarkson – has a reputation young, impressionable men into the seedy underworld of drunken scootering.

Cam Janssen – likely to be concussed since he insists you crush beer cans against your head

Travis Zajac – his secret squirrel body guard squad now devours any roommate who catches a cold or leaves the bathroom floor slippery out of fear of falling down on the job again

Zach Parise – would eventually cause sleep deprivation due to his hours of gushing about Lou and coach of the moment after lights out.

Petr Sykora – spends all day on the phone to his ex, Jason, trying to get back together again

Danius Zubrus – risk that Kovalchuk will accidentally murder you in your sleep by mistake

Ilya Kovalchuk – you know he has a bat cave with ridiculously cool fleet of cars, but he will not let you in there

Rod Pelley – all of your clothes would eventually be stained by his constant subdued weeping. Also, people would forget that you were on the team too.

Andy Green – risk of overdosing on his bipolar medication

Bryce Salvador – only uses soft lighting to fight off the vertigo

Henrik Tallinder – Tyler Myer keeps you up at night by standing outside the window holding a boom box above his head playing Abba

Anton Volchenkov – risk of being buried under an avalanche of medical bills

Martin Brodeur – eventual starvation. Also he spends all of his time talking about motorcycles, which really gets annoying if you’re not that into them

Johan Hedberg – the fact that everyone, even his neighbors shout “MOOOOOOOOOOOOOSE!” at him whenever he does anything, even just picking up the mail could lead to social anxiety disorder. Or dementia.
on October 8, 2011 at 8:58 pm Pookie

:^:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: *gasp* ::::::::::::::::::::::::::

See? Soft vertigo-easing light is clearly the least of all those problems! I was right, Salvador wins it! Time for Larsson and Henrique to move into Chez Boar.
on October 8, 2011 at 9:01 pm Kathleen

Spit take. All of the above.

So… have the Trannies been kicked out of bed over at Maple Hoo since the departure of Beaks & Farts?

….I mean, you’ve still got Pronger.
on October 8, 2011 at 9:01 pm EJGRgunner

This… feels familiar. Why am I suddenly sobbing?
on October 8, 2011 at 9:03 pm Schnookie

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!! Gunner, you are in mid-season form! I think the worst option on that list is the Myers-with-the-ABBA-boombox situation. So, history of gang-rape notwithstanding, Tallinder is TOTALLY out.

Also, living with Sykora includes a lot of having to dress chinchillas up in doll clothes. ::Shudder:: There’s a reason even Jason Arnott won’t call him back.
on October 8, 2011 at 9:04 pm Schnookie

This… feels familiar. Why am I suddenly sobbing?

:^::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: It’s funny because it’s true. But hey — the Sutter Era started with a loss, didn’t it? And look how that turned out! Wait, no…
on October 8, 2011 at 9:04 pm EJGRgunner

This feels very familiar. Somebody hold me.
on October 8, 2011 at 9:06 pm suenj97

And Clarkson’s still an idiot. This was really not the time or the place.
on October 8, 2011 at 9:07 pm Pookie

So… have the Trannies been kicked out of bed over at Maple Hoo since the departure of Beaks & Farts?

Quite. Beaks was the straw that stirred that drink.
on October 8, 2011 at 9:07 pm suenj97

Elias wasn’t mentioned as a possible host. Maybe he’s just done enough…
on October 8, 2011 at 9:08 pm Schnookie

Elias wasn’t mentioned as a possible host. Maybe he’s just done enough…

:^:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Yeah, he’s been through too much. Also, he’s just so huggy…
on October 8, 2011 at 9:09 pm EJGRgunner

Oh, right.

Patrik Elias – risk of being hit with tranquilizer darts fired by a deranged John MacLean.
on October 8, 2011 at 9:10 pm Schnookie

Well, that wasn’t much of a showing by Clarkson. Heh.
on October 8, 2011 at 9:10 pm suenj97

That’s OK. Clarkson needed to be slapped around. Even if it was by a Flyer.
on October 8, 2011 at 9:10 pm EJGRgunner

Wow. I believe Clarkie was just unmanned. This is why friends don’t let friends drink and scooter.
on October 8, 2011 at 9:12 pm Schnookie

This is why friends don’t let friends drink and scooter.

:^:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: It’s so tragic.
on October 8, 2011 at 9:13 pm Schnookie

Okay, looking on the bright side here, maybe the Devils have already hit rock bottom?
on October 8, 2011 at 9:13 pm suenj97

Did Clarkson get another frigging penalty? Can someone on the coaching staff go to the sin bin and slap him around?
on October 8, 2011 at 9:15 pm EJGRgunner

Come now, Schnookie, our coach has been fired yet, our favorite player hasn’t been hurt or traded, and none of the promising rookies have been inexplicably benched yet. Rock bottom is a long way off.
on October 8, 2011 at 9:18 pm suenj97

So far, the only thing that seems to be different than last year is that Marty looks like an NHL goalie. Otherwise, they can’t score, they are taking a boatload of penalties and there plenty of stupidity wearing NJ uniforms out there.

Oh, good Boulton got a 10-min misconduct, so he won’t be back. At least he won’t do anything stupid again tonight.
on October 8, 2011 at 9:19 pm Schnookie

Gawd, Gunner, did you have to ruin my Opening Night enthusiasm? Give me a few days to realize how much further we have to go. :P (But man, that second-half run is going to be SO much fun. [Although don't we have to default a first-round pick one of these years? It probably doesn't behoove the Devils to be too bad this year...])
on October 8, 2011 at 9:19 pm Pookie

Rock bottom is a long way off.

Ladies and gentlemen, your 2011-2012 NJ Devils!
on October 8, 2011 at 9:19 pm EJGRgunner

This is where I miss Doc most. His inane discussions of everyone’s hometown were the soothing whiskey that made me forget all my hockey-related troubles in a game like this.
on October 8, 2011 at 9:20 pm suenj97

I switched to the Isles’ game out of curiosity. The first thing I saw was Rolston. BTW, the Isles are losing 2-0 to the Panthers, a team that was basically put together by signing random free agents.
on October 8, 2011 at 9:21 pm Pookie

Gunner, you just need to mute the tv and play some tapes of Doc rambling about supper at the Sutter family farm.
on October 8, 2011 at 9:22 pm EJGRgunner

If I ruined your opening night enthusiasm, and not the effort of the boys in red, then I must admit that I envy your optimism.

Why don’t we just agree that if we don’t get shut-out it was a moral victory?

OR, as an alternative, I could say ten Hail Adam’s and 10 Our Larssons as penance.
on October 8, 2011 at 9:25 pm EJGRgunner

I don’t think Mills is going to be available to drive the kids for a few games after that.
on October 8, 2011 at 9:25 pm Schnookie

If I ruined your opening night enthusiasm, and not the effort of the boys in red, then I must admit that I envy your optimism.

Well, to be fair, optimism is such a rare and fleeting thing for me as a hockey fan. I’m not sure who to be blaming for it being gone now. :P

OR, as an alternative, I could say ten Hail Adam’s and 10 Our Larssons as penance.

:^::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
on October 8, 2011 at 9:31 pm EJGRgunner

I just made myself sad by imagining Marty announcing his retirement immediately after the game.

Then I made myself happy by imagining him doing it between bites of a giant hoagie.
on October 8, 2011 at 9:33 pm Schnookie

I don’t think I’m overreacting by suggesting the Devils aren’t going to score any goals this year.
on October 8, 2011 at 9:34 pm Schnookie

Then I made myself happy by imagining him doing it between bites of a giant hoagie.

:^::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
on October 8, 2011 at 9:36 pm Pookie

A giant hoagie filled with honey’d dormice?
on October 8, 2011 at 9:46 pm suenj97

I don’t think I’m overreacting by suggesting the Devils aren’t going to score any goals this year.

I don’t think they would score if the other team decided not to put a goalie in net.

Maybe Carolina would like to try it on Monday. Rest Cam Ward and whoever they have as the back-up. NJ still won’t manage to score.
on October 8, 2011 at 9:51 pm Schnookie

Sue, do you have the Hurricanes’ email address? Someone should send them this new scouting info posthaste. I wouldn’t want them to waste a goalie on the Devils….
on October 8, 2011 at 9:56 pm Mike in Idaho

I watched this game in Poo-vision (non-HD) thanks to MSG being idiots and not letting Center Ice use their HD channel again. This enraged me enough that I canceled Center Ice altogether, although fortunately (?) the free preview lasts another week and a half. The Devils’ play tonight made sure I had no second thoughts about canceling. My quick player reviews:
Kovalchuk – terrible
Brodeur – good first two periods, then bad third but in fairness to him, it didn’t matter.
Larsson – good.
Fayne – the second coming of Clemmensen. Screwing up at the point to give not one, but two shorthanded breakaways?!?

If this game is any indication of the season, I will be happy to watch the live games on Versus and NHL Network and watch Devils late night replays, where nobody can hear my pain.
on October 8, 2011 at 10:03 pm Schnookie

Wow, Mike, you paid far, far closer attention than I did! (We’ve been laughing here that it really does feel like the middle of the season already, what with the way all three of us were browsing various online quilt-supply websites during most of the game. I’m like, “Fayne? I’m sorry, I don’t know what that word means. I was fabric-shopping.”) I’m so sorry, though, that MSG is such a dick about using the HD feeds. That completely blows. You probably are better off without them.
on October 8, 2011 at 10:38 pm Schnookie

I hope that Zach is trying desperately to exercise his rights as captain to initiate closed-door players-only meetings that are actually bag skates.
on October 8, 2011 at 10:40 pm carolbrowne

Woohoo! Happy hockey everybody! Also, Happy Canadian Thanksgiving. I’ve got the long weekend to sew and hang out on the internets. Terrific! Also, Stick of Rock is 2/12. I love that ranking.
on October 8, 2011 at 10:56 pm Schnookie

Wow, that’s right — happy Canadian Thanksgiving right back atcha, Carol! I’m so jealous of your long weekend of delicious food, sewing, and interwebs. And I’m jealous of your beautiful disappearing nine-patch quilt; I’m looking forward to seeing how it comes along.
on October 9, 2011 at 12:16 pm Mags

This season is clearly going to go REALLY WELL.
on October 9, 2011 at 4:09 pm Schnookie

You’re so right, Mags! I mean, based on Game 1, how can it NOT go REALLY WELL???
on October 10, 2011 at 1:29 am Mags

Ezzackly! Game 1 is just going to be a blip on the statistical radar by the time this is over. Nothing to worry our pretty little heads about.
on October 10, 2011 at 10:50 am Schnookie

Mags, :^:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

And I bet the bustin’ out happens today, because neither Pookie nor I have the day off and won’t be able, realistically, to catch the game even on tivo delay, so we’ll never be able to see the awesomeness. It’s a totally zero-pressure setting for the Devils.
on October 10, 2011 at 12:46 pm suenj97

Don’t worry, I have the day off and will be watching, so they can still live down to my low-to-non-existant expectations by completely screwing up.
on October 10, 2011 at 1:12 pm Iain T

Have no fear, Jinxy McIain is here!
on October 10, 2011 at 1:15 pm suenj97

Who are these people and where were they Saturday night?
on October 10, 2011 at 1:16 pm Iain T

So, can we comment on the game here, or will it spoil it for our gracious hosts?
on October 10, 2011 at 1:16 pm EJGRgunner

Woo! Passing and shooting and scoring? My the Devils put on their fanciest hockey socks for Columbus day. Too bad we won’t see them until Thanksgiving.
on October 10, 2011 at 1:16 pm suenj97

OK, the players from Saturday night are back, they are still taking stupid penalties.
on October 10, 2011 at 1:17 pm Schnookie

Please comment on the game! Be my lifeline! What am I missing right now? It sounds… good? Are we still talking about the Devils?
on October 10, 2011 at 1:18 pm suenj97

Parise scored before the Canes got a shot. Then Josefson took a stupid penalty. NJ is trying to kill it off.
on October 10, 2011 at 1:19 pm Iain T

Well, let’s have a woooo for Zach tipping a shot from Elias after a pass from Sykora!
on October 10, 2011 at 1:20 pm suenj97

Killed off. BTW, Moose is in goal. Maybe this is really a new regime. We’ll see.
on October 10, 2011 at 1:23 pm EJGRgunner

I figured out why Sykora got 15 – Zach’s not comfortable unless a grumpy older guy is wearing #15 and leering at him during his shifts.
on October 10, 2011 at 1:26 pm EJGRgunner

Larsson’s mother. Not quite as sharp with the English. Oh well, she still gets to be the Blessed Mother of Larsson, Hallowed Be Thy Name.
on October 10, 2011 at 1:27 pm Schnookie

WOOOOOOOOOOOOO! That’s one more goal than I expected this season!!!

Zach’s not comfortable unless a grumpy older guy is wearing #15 and leering at him during his shifts.

:^::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Also, it’s easier on the fans. We’re already conditioned to scream, “Why are you passing to HIM instead of shooting? That guy is NEVER going to score” whenever Kovalchuk passes to #15 on the PP, so why make us have to learn a new number?
on October 10, 2011 at 1:28 pm mcguffers

I have been the worst GM ever for fantasy hockey so far. I forgot I have European games and Columbus Day games in the afternoon. I figured I wouldn’t have to worry about my line up at 1pm on a Monday. I’d say I hope Travis Harmonic doesn’t do anything spectacular while on my bench but I still don’t know enough about the guy to know if he’s ever done anything spectacular.
on October 10, 2011 at 1:34 pm Iain T

Nice defensive play by Kovy.

Wait, what?
on October 10, 2011 at 1:35 pm EJGRgunner

And Ilya just played defense. I’m so confused.
on October 10, 2011 at 1:38 pm suenj97

I know. I’m wondering if he really meant what he said about wanting to do better than Saturday, or whether it was just a reflex and we won’t see it again for about a month. I’m betting on not seeing it again for about a month.
on October 10, 2011 at 1:42 pm Iain T

Well, that was nicer.
on October 10, 2011 at 1:50 pm Mags

I’m betting on not seeing it again for about a month.

Hope for the best, prepare for the worst.
on October 10, 2011 at 2:13 pm EJGRgunner

I believe I would pay $10 to watch Shanahan break down that hit on the lineseman.

Also:

DAMNIT.
on October 10, 2011 at 2:15 pm Iain T

That was a pretty unlucky one.
on October 10, 2011 at 2:15 pm suenj97

Just as I was complaining to the cat that NJ had let the ‘Canes score, and was passing the puck around and not putting the puck on net, they put the puck on net and WOOOOO!
on October 10, 2011 at 2:15 pm Iain T

That, on the other hand, was pretty awesome.
on October 10, 2011 at 2:16 pm EJGRgunner

FAYNE! HE’S GOING TO LIVE FOREVER!
on October 10, 2011 at 2:18 pm suenj97

Fuck.
on October 10, 2011 at 2:20 pm EJGRgunner

Merde.
on October 10, 2011 at 2:22 pm Iain T

Pish. Tallinder bought that one hook, line and sinker.
on October 10, 2011 at 2:32 pm mcguffers

I’m guessing from 2:13pm to 2:22pm, this game flip-flopped a bit…
on October 10, 2011 at 2:35 pm suenj97

If NJ had a viable PP, it might be different. But, they are completely useless so far. Although Kovalchuk nearly scored on his own goaltender…
on October 10, 2011 at 3:03 pm EJGRgunner

WOOOOOOOOOOO!
on October 10, 2011 at 3:03 pm suenj97

Kovalchuk remembered he’s supposed to score on the opposing goalie!
on October 10, 2011 at 3:28 pm suenj97

Good to see that the PP works with an empty net.
on October 10, 2011 at 3:29 pm EJGRgunner

Wahoo!
on October 10, 2011 at 3:31 pm EJGRgunner

Am I crazy or did they sucker punch Mr. Carpool?
on October 10, 2011 at 3:32 pm Iain T

I’ll take that result.

WOO!
on October 10, 2011 at 3:33 pm Schnookie

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! Wouldja look at that! The Devils are totally winners!!!
on October 10, 2011 at 3:34 pm suenj97

They did. Maybe they don’t want him on the roads.

Well, NJ is 1-1 and Boston is 0-2. Weird, but I’ll take it.
on October 10, 2011 at 3:41 pm Mags

The Devils are NEVER LOSING AGAIN.
on October 10, 2011 at 3:50 pm kellyn

Chico reminds me of your crazy old uncle that lives in your grandmother’s attic and only comes down on Thanksgiving and Christmas to sit at the children’s table and babble about things no one else understands.
on October 11, 2011 at 10:13 am Pookie

FAYNE! HE’S GOING TO LIVE FOREVER!

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! I love it.

Also? I love that the Devils actually won! Who saw that coming?!
on October 11, 2011 at 3:24 pm Mike in Idaho

Chico reminds me of your crazy old uncle that lives in your grandmother’s attic and only comes down on Thanksgiving and Christmas to sit at the children’s table and babble about things no one else understands.

I think he is becoming blind as well. I thought after the first replay it was pretty clear that Zach got the Devils’ first goal but Chico acted like it was a big mystery as to who got the goal for several minutes afterwards. The good (?) news is that I got to hear Chico and that MSG has made up with the Center Ice people so I guess I will get the lousy package after all. I’m pretty sure all the games will be as good as this one. And how did Tampa get 5 goals last night with St. Louis not even getting a point? That should be illegal.
on October 11, 2011 at 5:37 pm Anthony

DeBoer Shout out from fire and ice quote:

“We’re going to see,” DeBoer said. “We’ve got the luxury of a couple of extra forwards here and some interchangeable guys.”

http://blogs.northjersey.com/blogs/fireice/comments/elias_gets_a_day_off/
on October 11, 2011 at 7:48 pm Pookie

Mike, I’m glad Center Ice and MSG got their stuff all figured out!

Anthony, we’re going to have to train DeBoer on the “parts” part of that, but it’s a start! :D
on October 11, 2011 at 8:06 pm Schnookie

Whoa — I can’t believe DeBoer thinks we’re dudes. I should think self-identifying as “Pookie” or “Schnookie” should make it clear we’re not interchangeable guys. Hmph.
on October 12, 2011 at 7:17 pm carolbrowne

http://canucks.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=595424 – Crackerback is playing for the KHL now. Weird.

Interchangeable guys. Rude! LOLS!