Video: Wild Win On Whacky Goal Setting New Low For Devils

As if this season has not been embarrassing enough for the New Jersey Devils it got even worse tonight against the Minnesota Wild. Clayton Stoner of the Wild, he of 0 previous career NHL goals, would intend to dump the puck in from the neutral zone to start a forecheck and Johan Hedberg would anticipate the play and head behind the net to play the puck. It was at that point the curse of Kovalchuk would take over and have the dump in attempt deflect off of Ilya’s stick and then the glass at the Prudential Center and make a direct line for the Devils net where Hedberg could not get back to in time. Fittingly this would end up being the deciding goal in the game which would see the Devils tie last year’s total for losses from last season in only game 39.

Video: Ilya Kovalchuk's Shootout Choke Job Delights Ranger Fans

I tried all day to resist, but I cannot do it anymore because the irony of the whole thing is too much for me.  New Jersey a franchise that has been built for all these successful years on the team concept goes out and gives the ridiculous contract (length mainly) to a historical team underachiever and now they are having their worst season in years.  Coincidence?

If the play itself wasn't enough to delight Ranger fans there is also the fact that he was chosen as the fourth shooter and this happened the night after Derek Boogaard scored a goal.

The Video:

Poll: Clarkson Punishment

Earlier I said that the next up in the card game of punishment would be David Clarkson for his boarding penalty on Brian Boyle. There is no real rush to hand down a sentence since the Devils have a few days off, but let us speculate on what it might be. The poll question is what he will get from league. If you think what he will get and what he should get differ vote and then tell me your thoughts in the comments.

Lineup Updates: Prust, Williams In; White Out vs Devils. Kovalchuk news, Goaltending matchup

Steve Zipay is reporting that Brandon Prust despite his injury last night will play tonight and today's call-up, Jeremy Williams, will also get in the lineup, taking the spot of Todd White.  It will be interesting to see the combinations that this causes on the 3rd and fourth line.  Here is what I will project:

Dubinsky-AA-Callahan
Avery-Stepan-Fedetenko
Frolov-Christensen-Williams
Boogaard-Boyle-Prust

I could easily see keeping Prust with Frolov and EC as he was the last couple of games, but Williams is not a gritty/4th line type, but more of a scoring threat so tough to see him with Boogaard and Boyle.  This move should also put Ranger fans at ease that at some point Todd White will be gone from this club.

Other News: Ilya Kovalchuk is said to be in tonight's lineup for the Devils.
In net it will be Henrik vs Marrrrty
John Amirante has recovered from his illness and will perform tonight's anthem.

New York Rangers vs New Jersey Devils Pregame: Beware of Wounded Animals

New Jersey (2-5-1) @ Rangers (3-2-1)

Key Opposing Player: ZIP line (Zajac, Ilya, Parise)

Lineup:

Dubinsky - Anisimov - Callahan
Avery - Stepan – Fedotenko

Frolov - Christensen - Prust
Boogaard - White - Boyle

Staal - Rozsival
Del Zotto - Girardi
Gilroy - Sauer

Lundqvist

(No definitive word on Prust being a go or Hank in net as of now)