Bring your passport; treated like foreigners in Ottawa

Sign on Devils Whiteboard after Tuesday's game: "On Ice 2 PM. Bring your Passport." A lot of hockey people think if you take of all the details in the room, your create an atmosphere conducive for success. The Devils would be crossing an international border shortly after the Wednesday practice, and they needed those passports if they were to enter Ottawa. A packed back would be nice, a passport would be necessary. Critical details, nothing extraneous.

Devils trailing late in the second period, but throwing a lot of rubber at Curtis McIlhenney. MSG TV provides closeups of Elias grimacing and cursing on the bench. The Devils frustration grows in equal proportion to the confidence of McIlhenney. Rival Toronto is down 3 goals to Florida, creating a perfect scenario for the Devils to leapfrog them in the standings to 10th, alive and well. If they lose it appears likely the will fall to 12th, in dire straits. McIlhenney must be solved. The second period is now over, an excellent one for Jersey with 10 shots on goal, but none in the net. Someone must make a play, a heroic clutch play in third period, or the Devils will return to .500 and a rested Capitals team laying in wait in Newark.

The last thing they need is more pressure, but everyone associated with the club must feel it. In 20 minutes of hockey there are bound to be a half-dozen grade A chances, where a player gets a swipe at a puck in scoring range with only the goalie to beat. Someone must be calm enough to deliver, or the Devils will be in danger of nosediving at the absolute worst time of the year. With so many other teams in the mix, a step backward could be fatal. I'm thinking defenseman Anssi Salmela.

20 seconds into the third period the Senators defense collapses, the Devils get two grade A chances and 4 shots. Senators convert on a strange bounce seconds late. My guy Salmela inadvertantly knocks the puck into his own net. Video review does not help the Devils, and McIlhenney has a 2 goal cushion. The Devils score but it is waived off because of Adam Mair interfered with Curtis Mac. Replays show the officials made impeccable calls in both cases. All this action taking place in the first 2 minutes of the period.

I don't see a lot of energy out of Kovalchuk. It is unlikely that individual efforts will be successful on this night. Tedenby fires away with 2 shots in close, penalty is called. Devils get power play and convert with a super slapshot from Brian Roslton. David Clarkson creates a superb jumping screen. The game has transformed into a scrambly affair chock full scoring chances and coach's agida. TV commentator Chico Resch calls it "bubbling."

Devils called for goalie interference, critical PK for the Devils game, season. A crappy call. They are on the road. Devils SH rush lkeads to a fallen player, no makeup call. Colin White blocks a shot with a gaping net behind him. Took it bravely in the hand. Penalty is killed, 6:40 to play. 2-1 Sens. Kovalchuk breakaway...stoned. It is not his night. Is there a hero? Icing takes it back to Devils end with 5 and change left.

Lines have been changed up with high-energy Tedenby getting more than his share of ice. Ottawa trapping look like Devils at their trapping best, quicksand in neutral ice. Brodeur makes 4-bell save on Svatos. Tedenby hauled down on subsequent chance, no call. He has been reunited with Josefson. Another Broduer tricky stop. Faceoff in Jersey end 1:50 left. .. attackers at the 1:20 mark. Salmela takes a slapper into a shin pad, Sens collect and Chris Neil scores the empty netter. Devils in 12th place after 3-1 loss to pesky Sens. My guy Salmela is wearing the horns, doing exactly what coach Lemaire described in a post-game complaint 3 games ago even though scored the OT winner that night. Lemaire knows of what he speaks.

The Great 8 and his Capitals rest and watch in Newark, then a road trip that might end the dream: Columbus, Boston, Pittsburgh and then Boston again. .500 will be difficult, and .550 won't be enough. This was their game to win. Are the Devils good enough? Doubts arise...