Top line stirs up winning formula

Feb 25, 2004

All the talk about the Devils lately is centered on the Patrik Elias-Scott Gomez-Brian Gionta line which has been on fire these days. The trio have combined for an astonishing 29 points over the past seven games, and the Devils are 4-2-1 over that span.

The only thing the line doesn't have is a presence of being this big, overpowering line. But other than that, when you think of successful lines around the league, you think of speed - which this line has an abundance of.

They also have an abundance of hockey sense, and that is a gift that is certainly underrated. I mean, all three of these guys really think the game as well as anybody in the National Hockey League! The way they see the game is the way they use their talent. A bigger, more powerful forward might try to be a slick, big shooter from the outside, but basically that's not his game. These guys know what they are. They know the role that their talent allows them to play best at and then they play it within the three-line combination.

Gionta is the best at being able to penetrate traffic with his speed. Because he isn't big, everywhere he goes, he has to arrive with a purpose. With Brian, he's unstoppable when he puts his mind to getting to a scoring area in front of the net and so that's how he's chipped in some goals. He can also be a shooter too, and like all three guys, is multi-dimensional.

Elias and Gomez certainly have a lot to smile about these days. (AP)

I think the biggest factor, though, is the fact that Scotty is shooting the puck more now. When he shoots the puck, it's like your double threat is so much better than a single threat. When he's just a passer, then everybody plays off him and just looks for the pass. That minimizes some of his options. Now, he's been shooting the puck more and as his confidence grows, he becomes one of the best stick-handlers in traffic and through the neutral zone. He could stick-handle from here to Alaska and not lose the puck if he put his mind to it! He's that type of puck-handler.

Then there is Elias, the man lighting it up. When you think power forward, you don't say, 'Patrik Elias.' When you think dipsy doodler or really clever, you don't say, 'Patrik Elias.' When you think big shot, you don't say, 'Patrik Elias.' When you think finesse, you don't say, 'Patrik Elias.' Nope. In fact, if you score 10 as the highest in all of those four different categories, Patrik probably isn't a 10 in any of them! But, he is a nine. He can finish in close and finds a way to put the puck in the net, that's no secret. He leads the club with 25 goals and has scored five times in the past three games. Yes, he finishes, but he couldn't do it without the help of Gomez and Gionta.

Besides all the hockey skills these three possess, they're very straight-forward guys who tell it like it is; they don't hold back. What you see, is what you get. And what you get is a very productive line that is in sync right now and helping the Devils climb up the charts.

TAKING HIS SHOTS

Back in 2000-01, Elias enjoyed a career-year when he scored 40 goals and registered 96 points. He hasn't come close to that kind of production since, and has been criticized for it despite his recent success. But, that's simply unfair.

If you are watching the overall aspect or traits of what a player is supposed to do from Game 1 to Game 82, Patty does it as well as anyone. He takes few nights off and is a hard player. He works hard defensively, and just look at the goals recently: 1) One he came in and cleaned up a rebound off a Gomez shot, 2) He shot from the top of the circle on a hard wrist shot with Gionta in front screening the goalie and it hits the post and goes in, 3) Then he has a lay-up at the edge of the crease where Gomez makes it all happen and draws the goalie and defenseman over. So, it's not like Patrik has taken the puck and gone in through opponents six times to score six goals. It's things that he does night after night, but right now the puck likes him.

Patty and the puck have a good thing going where it's going where he wants it to go. He's smart about the percentages, and knows where to go to get open for passes and rebounds. He also has a very good shot, an underrated shot in terms of velocity and accuracy. I never did criticize Patrik, because I always look at how hard a guy is working in other areas outside the scoresheet.

Here's what people don't realize: When you think of how many times the puck is around the net or a play is made and factor in the puck bouncing the right way for you, you could easily fluctuate from a 30-goal season to a 40-goal season. Sometimes, the bounces just go your way.

Brodeur just needs to catch his breath before making another playoff push. (AP)

Let's face it, Patrik is not like a Markus Naslund or a Milan Hejduk. Those guys can take pucks and just go through defenders to make spectacular plays. Most of Patrik's breakaways are not where he has stick-handled past somebody. It's where he has knifed through a seam and been hit with a pass and then goes in all alone. Naslund or Hejduk are going to dipsy-doodle to break through guys and out-maneuver them. Patrik doesn't do that. That's why he's so consistent, though. He doesn't rely on deception or great moves. He relies on foundational hockey and is as good as any forward in the NHL. Patrik is not the greatest scorer, but I would say he's one of the best two-way offensive players in the league.

RESTED IN NET

It certainly is crunch time now, with just over 20 games remaining, and the Devils are right in the thick of the playoff race ... again. In fact, they are right on the heels of the Flyers to be crowned Atlantic Division champs. So, the question becomes: Just when DO you rest Marty Brodeur? Hey, Marty has played in at least 70-plus games in each of the past six seasons. And that's just counting the regular season! Throw in the all the playoff games and it's obvious this guy can log some heavy minutes and still be at the top of his game.

Having said that, I'd give him five more days off before claiming him "well-rested" for the playoffs. Right now, he's coming off a bit of a flat period through the All-Star break where he just looked a little bit tired. But he has shown he is capable of snapping out of these little funks and turning in a performance worthy of Vezina talk.

If there's one area not to worry about on the team, it's in net. Marty will be fine and geared-up to lead his Devils through the postseason grind.

DEVILS WITH A CAPITAL 'D'

The Devils, in my mind, are the best backchecking team in all of hockey. All the players understand the importance of that, especially defenseman. But, it's one of the most overlooked areas of hockey because the back pressure of the forwards coming back, accelerates what the players with the puck have to do, and it cuts down their options while breaking up a lot of dangerous plays. If you have good backcheckers, you can't move the puck laterally as much as you would like if you're the attacking team. You can't pull drop passes. It's also hard to criss-cross. You've just got to race up the ice and try to make a quick play or shoot off the wing. That's where the strength and the teamwork of Brodeur comes in.

Marty is essentially saying, 'Give me those shots where the guys are coming, and there's a good chance it's just me and him. I don't have to go post-to-post.' The Devils' defense eliminates the goalie to have to move from one position to another. It's just like a wide receiver in the NFL. If you know the guy is just going deep, it magnifies your chance to be successful. The Devils don't give the attacking team a lot of options other than get the puck to the net and hope for a rebound or deflection. You can't be very fancy when you play the Devils. That's the biggest key on why their success continues.

Their group of forwards are also very driven to help back on D. In all fairness, they've given up more goals since Scotty Stevens has been out. There was a stretch for four or five games where they were averaging three or four goals against. They have given up a number of goals, but that could be just fatigue too. I think the whole team kind of hit a wall about 10 games ago, but the overall picture is that this team remains committed to defense.

GREAT SCOTT, WHERE ARE YA!

I talked to a couple of the players and Lou Lamoriello on the status of Stevens, and everybody is saying he is getting better. He certainly is not at the point yet where he's ready to skate. What I think will happen is that by the trading deadline, Scott will try to do some exercises. I'm sure he would like to give the team some indication of where he's at. If he hasn't come around at all, then it's probably a longshot that he'll be back this year. His status will dictate what Lou does as far as trades go.