There is an expression in sports journalism for those who arrive late to the party, it's called "parachuting." Usually it's big-time journalists who come to a scene after a team has made great strides to gain national attention, and then the Lupica's and Costas's and I don't know, Francesa's start camping out and reporting from a scene as if they know what's going on. Usually they have to tap into the knowledge base assimilated by the lesser known beat reporters to get up to speed. I certainly don't have a cape, and have never "parachuted" before, but this New Jersey devils story is so compelling that I can't help myself. I'm dropping in thanks to the help from the hockey Maven.
They are now on a 20-2-2 streak, that's 42 points out of a possible 48, that's an .875 winning percentage, even with the anomaly of those imbalanced 3 point games that inflate the numbers, it's downright outrageous, the third best streak in the NHL this year, soon to be best. What makes it more compelling, is that the Devils have to keep playing .800 ball for their final 17 games to get into the playoffs. So the high wire act must continue all the way through game 82 or the story dies.
The Devils were arguably the worst team in hockey at the midpoint of the season. I attended game 37, the Devils on 7-game home losing streak, stumbling along at a .278 winning percentage, again, those are inflated NHL stats. Tickets were going for a song, an astute ticket buyer could get into the Devils for the same price as a college game, $10. The sparse New Year's Eve afternoon crowd was largely disinterested, those that were brought home made signs that read "Koval-$uck." All they knew needed to know was that their $100 Million dollar sniper was on track to become an all-time professional sports flop.
With the Devils clinging to a 2-1 third period lead, most of the crowd was expecting the worst. An then Kovalchuk did what he does best: a power drive down the wing and a lightning wrist shot that beat the season's hottest goalie Ondrej Pavelec. And Devils fans did something extremely rare--they went home happy. My 12 year old pee wee is a fan of Kovalchuk, and enjoyed the fact that the loud mouths with the Koval$uck signs were silenced.
2010 was a miserable year for the Devils, but it was over. Jacques Lemaire was 1 week into his 3rd tour of duty with the Devils, yet they were already out of the playoff picture. He wasn't on speaking terms with his captain Jamie Langenbrunner, and his lineup was filled with minor league kids.
In mid January the Devils were heating up, and Versus cable show NHL Overtime was fielding Facebook questions. Hockey lifer and Devils production associate Chris Riley chimed in, wondering if the Devils could claw their way back into contention. Studio analyst Keith Jones refused to dignify the question with a response. "The only reason they're winning is because other clubs are looking for a night off. They're still an awful team."
2 months of .800 hockey and Jones still contends that the Devils won't make the Playoffs, but he's not calling them awful. It's a remarkable story from a franchise that had a magical playoff run in their history back in 1988. One of the key components of that team was John MacLean, for those who like a side dish of irony with their fairy tale sports stories.
Langenbrunner was traded for a song on January 7, and since then there has been but one voice. Jacques. One of the famed Montreal Canadiens "Young Lions" who led the Habs to 4 consecutive Cups and the unofficial title as greatest team ever. That club played .800 puck back then, just like this group. Only there's no collection of Hall-Of-Famers on this team, except the goalie, the coach, and maybe an overpriced Russian mercenary who has bought into his system of defense first. It's enough to raise hope and generate stories. Those low scoring three-point games are the best show in the NHL right now, and it has me parachuting into Newark. I hope it's a long ride.
It could have ended today, Brodeur was in a duel with young Al Montoya of the Islanders, a team that gives the Devils fits. They tied the game at 2 late, and controlled long stretches of Overtime and led in the shootout. But the big Russian Bear sniped in regulation, tied the shootout with another laser, and in the 6th round of the shootout, the beleaguered 38 year old Brian Rolston, the man who cleared waivers twice, wired in the winner to extend the playoff dream of this unlikely group. They got their two points in one of those inflated NHL 3-point games, and live to play another day 8 points and 4 teams between them and a playoff spot, 17 games to play. The second to last game of the season will be a nationally televised tilt against the dreaded Rangers at Madison Square. If you don't think that game will determine a berth, well you probably stopped reading this a while ago.
Dreamers, Tuesday, Ottawa, at the Rock. Wear your parachute.
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