Word Association

Ask anyone who watches Ice Hockey to play word association with the Devils,and you could see a few words coming up regularly. Defense, Brodeur, and most likely BORING. Now calling a team with 3 titles in the last 11 years boring is very harsh, but it is because of their style of play. They have a suffocating defense and with Brodeur in the goal it is hard to get past them. If the Devils get ahead even just 1-0, it is unlikely you will get back into the game and a 2 goal lead is just unbeatable. when scoring first the Devils are 14-2-1, in 17 games to only lose 3 and 1 of those in overtime shows what I mean. The Devils are even better on home ice, with a record of 11-1-1 (the current best home record in the league) they are nearly invincible at home as they are able to make sure they get their top checking line up against the oppositions top scoring line, which nullifies them almost instantly.

All opposition dislike playing the Devils, but even more so if they play them at home. The Devils have had a more up and down season this year than in past years, but now appear to have turned the corner on away ice and are looking to improve their lead in the Atlantic Division and attempt to chase down the other Division leaders in the Eastern Conference.

For more on this topic go see Chuck Gormley