Live Blog Against the Devils (Largely to Entertain Myself and Hopefully Keep from Screaming at the TV)

** Hedberg with a "Moose-tacular" save on a long rebound attempt from the slot by Elias I believe; a bit of an offensive lull for the Birds after a good initial shift by the Russian Troika

**Prior to the huge shot-rebound combo save by Moose, Boulton took a few licks from Andrew Peters after de-helmeting him with a couple of solid right hooks. Then they crumpled to the ice in a lover's hold...action resumed at 5 on 5.

**Valabik slapper from the right point deflected just wide before he decides to "scrum it up" with Dave Clarkson and Rod Pelley...stank-eye duly rendered with no penalty penance; Valabik created the offensive chance with a nice play at the defensive blueline

**Kovy with a decent bid from his normal left circle position...pulled up for the hard wrister, but denied by Brodeur...Bogo looks to be playing physically thus far...Kovy already back on the ice to create a good look from the point by Schubie...no dice tho. Kovy dbl shifting for Boulton.

**Kovy drives hard from the right and Reasoner collects loose change to keep the play going; puck cycled to the other side and hammers home a hard slapper from the left circle over the Hall of Famer's outstretched glove-hand...1 - 0 Thrashers!!

**Schubert with a wicked hit at the defensive blueline...however, getting out of position for the big hit costs them as Parise collects the loose change on a rebound while a helpless Ron Hainsey can't get back to help Hedberg in time...now 1 - 1. EDIT: Devils goal was a direct result of a weak clearing attempt by Todd White after Ron Hainsey was too quick to give up the puck that was dislodged by Schubert just outside the blueline. Basically, a play that never should have happened if Hainsey and White had taken their time or pushed the puck up the ice themselves.

**Kovy seemingly everywhere as he continues to double-shift for Boulton. He is showing very good jump and very little hesitation or doubt on his acceleration plays...defense is still a bit wanting as there is too much standing around watching the puck...Hedberg collects the puck after a position save high to the body.

**Another boxing exhibition between Thorburn and Clarkson...looks like the boys are doing everything possible to rally each other in the effort to get out of this losing rut. 6 mins left in the period...Kane trying to set up cycle. Fail.

**Kovy back out with his normal linemates...will he double shift for Thorburn too??

**After a solid shift by the Russian Roulette line, a slow line change leads to a bad defensive zone sequence in which Moose is forced to make two good saves. The resulting D-zone faceoff is won by Pevs, but a failed puck battle by Little to free the puck results in a weak shot from the left point that goes under the flamingo-leg of Toby Enstrom and then eludes a screened Hedberg. Now 2 to 1 Devils with 3 mins left. Crap balls.

**Thrashers need to stop allowing the likes of Colin White and Rod Pelley to score on lame-ass point-shot attempts when the defense is standing around like pile-ons. No real response to speak of after the Devils goal. UNTIL! Peverley gets a beauty of a feed from Kovy in the slot for a wrister 20 feet out...Brodeur stones him.

**Another horrible transition from O-zone to D-zone leads to a good chance for Parise...luckily, Hedberg was up to the task. Time expires and it remains 2 to 1 Devils after 1. Overall, intensity seems good, but the team looks rather dis-organized and has especially struggled in transition. Getting absolutely nothing from secondary lines once again. No shots that I'm aware of from Kane, Army, White, Kozlov and Little.

**Kovy's in-between-period advice: "we've got guys that skate like the wind so we need to get pucks deep and get chances." That's all well and good if you know how to actually get the puck out of your own freakin' zone! Can someone teach these ass-clowns how to execute the little things that win hockey games rather than wait for the random or accidental loose puck that might just lead to a breakaway or odd-man rush??

BEGINNING OF THE 2ND PERIOD:

**After 1, shots are 13 for Devils and 9 for Thrashers. Seems like Devils have 3 or 4 shots on rebounds alone, one of which was a goal. I don't believe the Thrashers have one rebound shot attempt. NJ also dominating the face-off circle, which needs to change for ATL to win.

**No real zone time established over the first 2 minutes of the 2nd. Lots of back and forth.

**Crowd pretty quiet as you can hear a lot of the various player's exhortations and shouts to teammates on the ice. Thorburn too slow on the trigger in front of the net after a good feed from Boults...not how you capitalize on rare scoring chances.

**Near miss on a juicy rebound for the Devils, but Thrashers manage quick break-out leading to a shot attempt by Kane...puck was deflected out for O-zone draw. Won to the point, but another lazy shot blocked.

**Good forecheck pressure by the Russian Front line...Antro playing big in the corners. Max kills it with a crazy off-balance pass...gee that never happens does it?

**Devils playing very conservatively for the most part, but nearly cave in as Little and Peverley force their way to the net with several whacks at the puck into Marty's pads. Little went from looking life-less to pouncing on a loose puck complements of Slava Kozlov. Again,, other than Kovy, they are too slow in their puck-shooting decision-making. Better to get pucks on Marty's pads and then try to jam home the loose change.

**Birds going on first PP at 12:59 of the 2nd. Someone went off for slashing I believe. Peverley fans on a good look from in front. Kozlov searching, finds Peverley again but the puck is ramped up into the crowd.

**PP continues with White taking draw, but he gets booted. Little loses the draw and Devils move the puck out and then deep. Finny picks it up and moves it to neutral zone; however, no luck in getting the puck established in the zone...29 secs remain in PP.

**Officially no shots on goal for the PP...fuck me running. Time to give the 4th line some time to try to establish the cycle. No dice. Hedberg with good pad save on a wrister from 30 feet. Time-out under 10 mins with the score still 2 to 1 Satan worshippers.

**Little and Pevs dig out the puck and sneak it out to Bogosian who turns it over at the blueline to Parise...disaster averted thanks to Hainsey & Moose. Jeezus H!

**At this point I am quite baffled at the Thrashers' overall inability to get to loose pucks, hold onto pucks when trying to possess it for any length of time, shoot before the other team blocks or deflects the attempt and how easy the Devils make it look when they surprise us with a deft pass or quick wrist-shot on which Moose must make a great save. At least I have managed to keep from screaming at the TV. I think I hate this team.

**Boulton gets 2 minutes for being a hot-head in the act of defending Ron Hainsey's honor after he was plastered into the boards by not one, but 2 players! Clarkson may have left his feet, but I'm not surewhy Boulton reacted so silly-ly, if you will. PK good for the first 40 seconds.

**Kubina nearly surprises Brodeur with a point blast off a F/O win in the O-zone during the PK. 4o secs remain...Kane digs out to Reasoner for a key clear. Marty again with the clear and penalty is summarily killed dead. Now let's go!

**Kovy with a wrister from the left circle gets steered aside and then Bogosian's blast from the left point is smothered by Brodeur...time for commercial break just under 3 mins in 2nd period. Shots 8 to 3 in favor of Thrashers, but to no avail...only 1 or 2 decent chances.

**Antro wins O-zone face-off but Birds can't keep the zone...what else is new? Kovy on the rush drops for Bogosian who bungles the shot attempt. Pressure maintained thought by Antropov and Kovy to generate a good look for Hainsey. But alas, no rebound attempt when really needed.

**One final rush by Pevs & Kozlov leads to a hard shot and rebound attempt for Army but he can't capitalize on it. Now Thrashers are scrambling in their own zone and are forced to take a bad penalty (Valabik for holding the stick?) with only 13 seconds left. Pretty weak call but he did use the free arm to gain leverage. No shots and period ends. 2 to 1 Bad Guys...time for cereal!

**Shots on Goal check: Thrashers with 9 shots to only 6 for the Devils, but they got 3 in the final 3 minutes as Thrashers are getting caught too deep in the zone leading to some easy break-outs for the Devils...no real odd-man rushes, but it's too easy for the Devils to enter our zone. No need to panic, but a penalty kill is essential to winning this game to start the 3rd. Now cereal.

THIRD PERIOD BEGINS ON PK:

NOTE: Thrashers have evened things up in the face-off circle and are now 50/50 in wins. Good improvement and probably, in part, explains their increased number of scoring chances of which there were 8 (to the Devils 4) per Daren Eliot and crew. They still struggle too much maintaining posession when they do get it after an O-zone F/O win...in my humble opinion.

**Good defensive play by Schubert to cut off the forward streaking in from the corner...F/O won and puck cleared HARD by Pavel Kubina who nearly be-heads Coach Jacques Lemaire.

**Peverley helps Kubina clear again and Colby goes down behind the Devils net, which leads to an easy break-out up the ice and entry into the zone thus resulting in the Devils third goal. Blueliners were way too lackadasical in getting back to shut off the cross-ice pass in front of Hedberg. Nice redirection goal by Parise who naturally breaks his 13 game goal draught with 2 goals versus the Birds.

**Well, if the Birds come back and manage to win this game it will be a freakin' miracle as nothing comes easy against the Devils. Gonna need some secondary scoring if it is to happen.

**Pulverizing hit by Antropov behind the Devils net leads to a point chance for Kubina, but nobody home for the rebound...Kovy and Max nowhere to be found. Finny tries to go one on two on the ensuing rush and is easily shut-down. Time to hold try-outs for anyone, I mean anyone who might like to crash the net from the right side after a shot attempt. Little? Antro sliding over for White or Little to center? 13:30 left...time left, but need a goal soon.

**Marty (Reasoner) beats Marty Brodeur like a rented mule with a crafty wrister through a screen and under the gloved right arm of said fooled goalie. Marty's 4th of the year. I am certainly pleased as punch as I am quite fond of our mucking and grinder 4th line, sometimes 3rd line center. K-belle says he is my "sweet baboo" whatever that is! Yeah, I love him. Ohhhh yaaaaa!!! This one is now within reach with 11 minutes left for the tying goal. No whammies.

**Now it's time for some hard-earned puck luck...let's see if the boys can grind one outof the corner and slam home some garbage in front of Brodeur. Cue Army, Kane and White. Kane just wide and they can't keep the zone. That's what I'm talkin' about though!

**Reasy and the boys with a good shift but can't get the puck on net. Time for the top line to do their thing...Finny's shot is deflected wide. Enstrom stopped on the one-time from Kovy. Puck bounces out and time to head on back....ooops turnover, but Moose stones Rolston on the break-in from the blueline! Perpertrator was Kovy with a careless pass that is beyond the reach of Toby Enstrom who was heading up ice with no one behind him. Yikes!! Okay, puck luck may not be enough this night. Someone needs to be a hero...KOVY??!

**7:50 left after Moose saved the day...and the game. Pevs, Kozzy and Little out for the Birds. Pavel overwhelms the forward and starts the clear out. White's line out now, but can't hold the zone...Bogosian harrassed by Parise after icing waived off.

**Enstrom nearly penetrates Brodeur but his outstretched glove gets just enough to thwart the shot from the left circle. Devils looking for the long break-out pass up the middle and the Thrashers are there for the most part. Devils now playing keep-away. Hedberg melts puck. Time for final commercial with 4:47 left. Enough time but this won't happen if they don't dump the puck and win some battles in the corner.

**Devils putting pressure on the Birds and we can't corral the puck. Time to set it up and make a good rush...Bogosian tries it himself, but too disorganized after he penetrates the blueline. Why are we so freakin' stubborn...dump and chase for God's sake!!

**Kovy gets off a sneaky wrister from the right side but it is one and done per the usual because we are too stupid and stubborn to dump the puck and win some battles...IDIOTS!!! Thrashers ice the puck...WTF??

**Empty net and Little fighting for his life in the corner...Kozzy on the help. Kovy down low to Kozzy for a Schubert flip...no rebound and puck is cleared. One last chance to cycle and put some pressure on...Antropov from the point...rebound with Kovy in front and the whistle is blown seemingly prematurely as the puck trickled to the side of the crease. Looks like Kovy was "helped" into Brodeur by # 6 (Greene?). Big F/O with 28 seconds left.

**Peverley in to take the big draw...wins it. Enstrom to Pavel for the bomb! Goes wide and the puck caroms to the crease where the Devils get to it before Antropov or anyone else...DAMN! Game over after a game attempt during the final minute thirty...but it took too long for the Birds to finally dump a puck and get it to the corner with a chance to win a battle. Too little too late.

POST-GAME RECAP / SUMMARY OF THOUGHTS:

Overall, the Thrashers gave a solid 60-minute effort, but there were still a couple of mind-boggling break-downs, forced turnovers and mis-communications that cost them. Devils play the type of game that does not allow you to make mistakes and even 5 or 6 instances of brain-lock or rushed decision-making will cost you. Perhaps tonite's effort would've beaten Tampa, Montreal or the Rangers, but not the Devils. Problem is they don't play with the same intensity every game nor against weaker opponents. There were some bright spots upon which to build and perhaps Boulton and Thorbs rekindled a bit of nastiness that had been sorely missing for a while. A few tidbits before I sign off for the evening:

Shots on Goal ended up being even at 26 apiece. Thrashers actually attempted more shots, but had 9 blocked and 2 misses (inaccurate if you ask me) to only 2 blocked shots and 5 missed shots by the Devils. At any rate, the Thrashers had some looks, but too often they did not get the juicy, second chance rebound you need to beat Brodeur more than once or twice. Devils wound up winning the Face-Off battle with 27 wins to 22 losses on the evening. That means they won 9 of the last 13 draws to finish the game, which is how a defensive trap team beats you. Strangely, Antropov was very good with 6 out of 9 where as Reasoner struggled to only 3 out of 11 wins.

Oh yeah, one last thing that I nearly forgot. This loss makes 5 losses in a row and for the first time all season this team has failed to turn their own fortunes after a 2 or 3 game slide. And now they are one loss away from not winning one game in regulation in 15 tries during the month of December.

I will go out on a limb right now and state that the Boston game Wednesday night is the SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT GAME OF THE SEASON. THIS LOSING STREAK MUST END SOONER THAN LATER AND THEY MUST NOT COME OUT OF DECEMBER HAVING EARNED ONLY 9 POSSIBLE POINTS OUT OF 30 AVAILABLE...LOSE WED NITE AND THIS ROAD TRIP LOSING STREAK SPIRALS OUT OF CONTROL AND THE SEASON SLIDES INCHES FROM SLIPPING INTO THE ABYSS. AM I BEING TOO DRAMATIC?? I DIDN'T THINK SO.

My Three Stars plus Honorable Mention for the evening:

1st Star -- Zach Parise
2nd Star -- Marty Brodeur
3rd Star -- Marty Reasoner
Honorable -- Kovalchuk (1st goal of game), Bergfors (2 assists)