The next three games will be a Game 7 for the New Jersey Devils and I feel that history will repeat itself. It is a matter of time where the “boring” left wing locking Philadelphia Divers, I mean Flyers, will be exposed.

As for the referees, you cannot rely on them to call the game correctly because they have been terrible throughout the series. They haven’t been biased, which is somewhat fair, but have been extremely inconsistent to both teams. As Don Cherry pointed out, Dan Carcillo knows how to embellish and his acting has been somewhat effective.

With Jeff Carter and Simon Gagne out, the Flyers’ roster is weakening upfront and Chris Pronger and Kimmo Timonen are logging a ton of minutes. They look slower and more fatigued since Game 1 and the Devils need to exploit this early on Game 5. The Devils forwards need to stop playing the perimeter game and take the puck to the net every time. Boucher is looking like a Vezina winner out there because he is seeing the puck well. Moreover, New Jersey needs to cause havoc if they want to put up 5 or more goals.

When asked if Game 5 is his last game as a New Jersey Devil.

“No. Because we’re going to win tomorrow,” Kovalchuk said.

Is this a Kovalchuk guarantee?

I think so and after Game 4, he called on the Kovalchuk Army and the rest of the New Jersey Devils fans to come out and help support the Devils’ comeback. Kovalchuk plays better with an edge and Devils fans have proven before they can come through when it mattered the most. Expect a loud sold out building on Red Alert.

Woo Rant of the Day

There is a parallel between Kovalchuk and Stevens.

The Devils finally have their leader, Ilya Kovalchuk. He reminds me a lot like Scott Stevens when he first came to New Jersey. If you remember, Scott Stevens felt he was going to stay in New Jersey for one year and then bolt. But after starting a family and realizing New Jersey is the best place to raise kids, he resigned with New Jersey and the rest is history. I feel the same way about Kovalchuk. With a newborn and being an unrestricted free agent, you figure that he would want to be part of a winning organization, unlike his previous team, and raise his kids in a place like the Garden State.

To me, Kovalchuk is a leader and he plays with an edge. The same edge and mean streak that Scott Stevens played with and it is a killer instinct to get things done. It will not happen over night, but Kovalchuk is exactly what New Jersey needs if they want to be brought back to the elite Stanley Cup contenders every year. When Stevens came to New Jersey, the Devils had issues getting past the first round. But then, a dynasty was born and the rest is history. If the Devils resign Kovalchuk, make him captain.

The only Devils’ forward other than Kovalchuk that has played with the same amount of intensity is Dainus Zubrus. Zach Parise, as talented and hard worker he is, needs to step up his game and the post game cliches are getting old. Stop playing the hockey game like a cub scout and become a nasty beast in front of Boucher’s net. And I hope the Devils’ current captain gets the same memo.

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The New York Post reported yesterday that Kovalchuk took no exception and immediately defended his goaltender from the same old Sean Avery antics. And to think, that was only Kovalchuk’s second game with the club.

“Emotions. That’s hockey. Nothing wrong with it. He always talks. That’s part of the game,” said Kovalchuk, told New York Post.

Whether or not he was baited into Avery’s plan, I am happy that Kovy stood up to that pest. To defend a teammate, especially your goaltender, is very important. It sets the tone and message in the future that no one will be allowed to verbally or physically abuse your goaltender. That is something the Devils have lacked consistently throughout the years when dealing with Avery or players like him. In the past, Brodeur had to take matters into his own hands.

I can see why Lou Lamoriello made this trade.

Essentially, Kovalchuk is the complete package. We all know what he can do offensively. But he is also a leader that sets an example for the rest of the team to follow suit. Not since Scott Stevens’ retirement that the Devils have had an impact position player with his stature. You have to believe Brodeur loves it. Kovalchuk’s energy is contagious and it is all about winning.

Looks like Kovalchuk is fitting nicely as a Devil.

Power rankings this week:
Devils ranked #6 by Hockey Primetime

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1. Give Jacques Lemaire credit for taking risks and experimenting. Five forwards on the power play and giving Ilya Kovalchuk ice time to develop chemistry with his new linemates. It may take some time for him to get used to all of his teammates tendencies, but it is better now to try new things out than during the last few weeks of the season into the playoffs. That entire notion about Jacques Lemaire being such a conservative coach is nonsense.

2. Early on, it seems like there is too much focus on Ilya Kovalchuk and players trying to get him the puck. This is not team first style Devils fans are accustomed to seeing. But that will change as time goes along. It is exciting to see Elias and Kovalchuk play together and having that potential explosive offense when the team is down a few goals. Nevertheless, no matter what the scoreboard says during the game, the Devils will always have a chance to win.

3. Conservative? New York Rangers played a “boring” style of defensive hockey and waited for the Devils to make mistakes before taking advantage. Once Rangers’ forward Marion Gaborik scored, New Jersey tried to get something going offensively but turnovers did them in. Ultimately, New York sat on the lead.

4. All things considering, I thought New Jersey played very well. After all, they just had played the night before and the Rangers were well rested. The energy level was good and putting 42 shots on goal is extremely good sign. This kind of sustained pressure is a good sign and the Rangers were fortunate that Henrik Lundvquist was focused and solid in net.

5. Speaking of HANK, he should really THANK the referees officiating the game last night. I can point out at least half dozen quick whistles after the save was made, yet he did not have the puck. I can understand losing the sight of the puck, but there were times the puck was clearly outside of the crease and the whistle was blown. Then again, maybe I should go easier on the refs. Hank’s king-sized mattress sized leg pads seem to be always obstructing their view.

6. Last, but not least: Ilya Kovalchuk and Sean Avery.

Since Avery likes the attention and be fashionable, I decided to give you my opinion about the fight. Yes, he did his job as the pest, but was that necessary? Some hockey analysts will say it was stupid because Kovalchuk fell into the trap and got baited into not participating the closing minutes of the game. Well, this was not the playoffs.

That fight won character points in my book. Kovy proved to me that he does not need to hide behind the Devils’ enforcers and he will finish his own fights. To me, he is a natural born leader and this kind of attitude will rub off on his entire team.

I would like to say that Kovalchuk and Gaborik are generally equal in terms of their NHL superstar status and what they can do on offense. But I would take Kovalchuk over Gaborik any day because of the intangibles. Kovalchuk literally manhandled Sean Avery without hesitation and this fight will go a long way of winning respect from your new teammates. Enjoy the videos of the difference between Gaborik and Kovalchuk when it comes to fighting.

Checkout Denis Gorman’s article on Hockey Primetime. Mario Lemieux trying to save the Pittsburgh Pirates?

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Down 3-1 late in the third period against the Toronto Maple Leafs, New Jersey stormed back and exploited the Maple Leafs’ newly revamped Swiss cheese defense. Ilya Kovalchuk played well and he came as advertised, one of the most exciting players in the NHL.

Kovalchuk’s speed, great vision and puck handling skills drew a lot of attention from the Devils’ faithful. Not since Scott Gomez that the Devils had a player that can move the puck quickly through the neutral zone. The only difference is Gomez tends to lose the puck often when he gets to the neutral zone and his salary takes up more cap space than Kovalchuk. And we are witnessing why Lou Lamoriello was going to use his cap space wisely than overspend to resign players in the past when opportunities like acquiring someone like Kovalchuk’s stature come around. Moreover, he is an exciting marquee player and wants to win now.

Our condolences:

Driving home last night and listening to NHL Home Ice, I listened and learned the death of Brendan Burke, the son of Maple Leafs’ GM Brian Burke. It really makes you think how precious life is and as the family mourns, we, as fans, are there to support.

Here are more links and Kovalchuk reaction from my colleagues at Hockey Primetime.

Atlanta tries to move on without Kovalchuk
By Brett Friedlander

Devils react to Kovalchuk’s arrival
By Denis Gorman

Devils win Kovalchuk sweepstakes
By J.P. Hoornstra

The big showdown at MSG

Devils and Rangers are ready to rumble for an Atlantic Division showdown tonight at MSG. This rivalry is always heated and one of the best rivalries in all of sports. You can technically call this a “Subway Summit”. Will Devils fans show up in huge numbers tonight?

Here is a video from the last meeting at MSG:

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How did Lou Lamoriello do it? He had to give up defenseman Johnny Oduya, rookie forward Niclas Bergfors, junior prospect Patrice Cormier and New Jersey’s first-round pick in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft. Some say he had to give up a lot for a rental. I beg to differ.

Yes, these are quality players, but they can be replaced. Essentially, the Devils farm system has proven this season that they can step in and do the job for Jacques Lemaire. But by obtaining Kovalchuk, it gives them an immediate offensive threat they have not seen since Alexander Mogilny. What did the Devils do that year? They won the Stanley Cup.

Once Patrik Elias comes back from injury, the Devils will have two power play units that can score at will and their point will cause havoc for defenseman trying to block the shooting lanes. This is going to open up and spread out their opposing team’s penalty kill. It may take some time for Kovalchuk to get used to his new surroundings, but I fully expect the power play to be running on all cylinders by the playoffs.

I feel that Lamoriello is not finished yet. The Devils still need some help on the blueline, even when Paul Martin returns to the lineup after the Olympic break. They have the world class goaltending. Lamoriello did not mortgage the future with this deal, but he certainly put most of his poker chips in the middle of the table and is all in. With Martin Brodeur having a Hart and Vezina trophy type record breaking season, Kovalchuk will certainly have a taste of winning.

More Kovalchuk coverage

I’ll have some quotes and more coverage of Ilya Kovalchuk in the next two days. Keep checking my blog and Hockey Primetime.

Now I know why Rangers fans are often confused.

I blame the MSG network. Maybe they should have just played 1994 Stanley Cup highlights instead. This is from last night’s game when the Rangers played the Capitals. This picture says it all. And they were not playing the Hurricanes. Sent to me by Blake Benzel of Hockey Primetime

e-mail: sampwoo@hockeyprimetime.com