SUNRISE, Fla. – Caution is the word.
The Devils do not want to make the dangerous mistake of running off at the mouth and giving the Florida Panthers something to post on their dressing room bulletin board.
But there is a confidence evident with this Devils team that has not been present in quite a few years and there is a strong feeling that with a victory in Game 2 Sunday at the BankAtlantic Center they could take firm control of this best-of-seven quarterfinal playoff series.
"Yes. That would be the the feeling," veteran Patrik Elias said. "We would feel pretty confident going back home after getting two games here. We believe that we can win both games at home, although they played us pretty well there during the regular season."
The Devils would like their odds.
"It would put us in a great situation," captain Zach Parise said. "I think we have to expect them to have their best game and play great, but it would put us in a great spot. It would be great to go home up, 2-0."
The Devils' 3-2 victory in Game 1 was their first to open a playoff series on the road since the 2000 Eastern Conference finals in Philadelphia. They had lost five straight openers in series that started on the road.
Of course, the 2000 Devils lost the next three games to the Flyers and it took a tirade from then-head coach Larry Robinson to trigger the greatest comeback in franchise history.
"We played well in the first game. Everything has to be done again," goalie Martin Brodeur said. "We know the odds are they're not going to come out as flat as they did and spot us three goals. It's going to be a challenge for us to bring that intensity for another real solid 60 minutes.
"There's a big difference in going back home 1-1 or up, 2-0. It would be a big luxury to have. We're definitely going into this game being greedy. Whatever it takes to get it done. We want to be sure we come ready to play and weather whatever we have to weather early on, because I think it could be the opposite with them."
That is what coach Pete DeBoer told his players in a meeting today: Don't expect the Panthers to dig another big hole with a poor first period.
"We know they're going to fix that," DeBoer said. "We talked about that this morning. We know we're not going to be that fortunate where we outplay them like that again. We have to be prepared to match their intensity. No one wants to be in an 0-2 hole heading onto the road for two games, so I think we're going to see their best game."
Brodeur said the playoffs are a matter of trying to improve after each game.
"As players we take it game by game It's not, 'We're in full control. We know how to play them.' It's all about adjustments," Brodeur explained. "Don't think they're not watching tapes to see what we did to expose them and what they need to expose on us. Every game has its own story. Regardless of the score of the series, it's a challenge.
"Hockey's a lot different than it used to be. You used to be able to control things a lot more because of the way you played the game and being able to slow it down. Now the game is so fast and they call so many penalties that every game has its own story."
Parise said there is room for the Devils to improve, too.
"Our power play was great at times and really out of sync at times. We can get a little better there," he said. "We talked a little about understanding that late in the game with a one-goal lead we turned the puck over a few times at the blue line trying to make some riskier plays. I think if we can cut that part of the game out it will be a lot better for us."
A split on the road is often good enough for some teams. DeBoer isn't interested.
"That's not something I'm going to have to sell," he insisted. "I think we recognize the opportunity and it's up to us as a group to go out and really put them in a hole."
Dare they say, take control of the series? The Devils haven't won the first two games of a playoff series that opened on the road since the 1995 Stanley Cup finals in Detroit.
"It's pressure on them now," Kovalchuk said of the Panthers. "We won the first game and (Game 2) is a big test for us. They're going to bring their 'A' game for sure because they were a little slow from the start, maybe a little nervous. But they'll be ready."
Bryce Salvador isn't sure a win in Game 2 will mean the Devils have control.
"I think you've taken control of a series when you've won four games," the defenseman said. "That game is behind us. Obviously we're happy with the win but it's going to be a new game. They're definitely going to come out harder. As soon as you think you've got the momentum, it's going to bite you in the butt."
* * *
Most of the Devils' regulars did not skate today. They showed up at the arena for meetings and then left.
Brodeur said the team is able to enjoy the opening game victory.
"Definitely. Your days off are the days you can embrace and enjoy what you accomplished," the goalie said. "But tomorrow when we wake up, it's business. Whatever we did in the first game is over."
* * *
Former goalie coach Jacques Caron and ex-head coach Jacques Lemaire are in town for the playoffs. Both live in Florida.
Caron, who was at practice today, said hello to most of the players he hasn't seen in a while and shook their hands. When he shook Alexei Ponikarovsky's hand, the big winger turned and asked a teammate, "Who's this guy?"
Ponikarovsky was acquired from Carolina on Jan. 20.
This entry passed through the Full-Text RSS service — if this is your content and you're reading it on someone else's site, please read the FAQ at fivefilters.org/content-only/faq.php#publishers. Five Filters recommends: Donate to Wikileaks.
No comments:
Post a Comment