Devils have the confidence right now to beat anyone in the league

Feb 08, 2007

This year's Devils machine may have required a few new parts, but the product it was built to produce has continued to spawn the same high quality level that its creator Lou Lamoriello demands.

One of the reasons that the Devils seem to become better and better as the season moves along when other teams may struggle is that the culture and the system of the team hasn't changed in 15 years. So, all it becomes is a matter of each year just oiling up the machine and getting its parts to move better and more synchronized. While players get to know each other better under pressure all the nonverbal communication takes place like chemistry and continuity.

The one thing that's been the constant for the Devils for 15 years is Marty Brodeur. He has gone from being one of the elite goaltenders in the league to the absolute best. There is nobody greater. He's having an MVP year. The reason I say that is not just because what he accomplishes on the ice, but how his overall influence this year has restored an unshakable confidence in the team that they can not only play with anybody, but if things fall into place, can win another Stanley Cup.

Brodeur has played in 52 games this year and leads the NHL in wins and shutouts. (AP)

Brodeur's importance to the team is even stronger this season because of the influence he has on the entire team, especially on their new captain Patrik Elias. I think earlier on in the season Elias was learning his new role and there was a bit of a void last year not having a captain. Marty's influence and his presence in the dressing room is also more valuable than ever because there is no Scott Stevens and no Scott Niedermayer. Marty is the oldest guy in the room now and the guy every one looks to.

The Devils success all started with Marty and we'll never know what kind of impact he has had on this organization until he is gone. Not only on the confidence of his team but also the discouragement of the opposition that you see night in and night out.

Another big factor that has led to the Devils success this season is that the Jamie Langenbrunner, Zach Parise, Travis Zajac line has really emerged into a great asset. There are many nights, especially in the last 10 games, where they are the best Devils line offensively. They will be the line that the defending team might have to put their checking line on. And when you take into account that the Scott Gomez line, with Elias and Brian Gionta is there and has always been pretty good, for that second line to really out-produce them at stages when it's really needed is something. I don't know how many people envisioned that when the season began.

You knew Langenbrunner had the right stuff, you knew Parise was going to get better, but this kid Zajac is so good at helping to orchestrate offensive plays. Another great thing about Zajac is If a defenseman jumps up into the play with Langenbrunner and Parise to try to create some offense, he's so responsible and so trustworthy defensively that they don't have to worry that, "Oh geez, we got this rookie back there and will he be able to handle the defensive responsibilities." And Travis Zajac has proven that he can. Claude Julien has said that probably the nicest surprise of all that has happened this year is how quickly and efficiently Zajac has become such an experienced and responsible player.

You also have to give credit to the defense, especially Brad Lukowich for stepping up when Colin White was out for a long stretch. I think a lot of opposing teams were hoping there would be some weakness in the Devils defensive framework when White went down, but there wasn't. Lukowich stepped up and handled the oppositions' top players, Jaromir Jagr , Alexander Ovechkin, whomever it may be, and he never missed a beat. That gave the Devils a lot of confidence. Johnny Oduya has been playing with Paul Martin all year and they have been superb. They've been killing penalties, taking on the opposition's second power play unit, what ever it takes. And you don't see any drop in level of play there.

I think what the Devils can do this season culminated with the win against Buffalo on Saturday. That game was going to be the measuring stick, the water mark to see really how far the Devils have come and can go. They've beaten a lot of teams but it's widely considered that the Sabres are the cream of the crop in the East. And what was so inspiring about that win was the fact that Buffalo did a great job early on, scoring first and just closing down the Devils attack for most of the game. But the Devs found a way in the third period to stay with them and finally erupt for three quick goals. Basically cause the Sabres to unravel, including their goaltender Ryan Miller.

What that win ultimately showed me is that this Devils team really can play with anybody and believes it.