Time To Exorcise The "Devils"

Tonight in the first of four meetings this season, the Habs will face off against Martin Brodeur and the Devil-ish team from New Jersey. History has shown that the Canadiens have produced a less than stellar result against these Hell Boys in the last few years. In recent seasons at the Bell Centre the Devils have gone 8-2-0 in their last 10 games there and they are 22-23-4 all-time playing in Montreal.

The Devils won three of the matchups on the 2009-10 schedule, including the only one started by Carey Price. Zach Parise led New Jersey in the series with 2 goals and 4 points, while Mike Cammalleri and ex-Devil Scott Gomez each had a goal and 2 assists for the Canadiens.

But this is a new season and the Habs have a respectable 3-1-0-1 record for 7 pts. and tonight's opponents

are off to their second-worst start in team history. It's a little surprising to see the Devils with just one win to their credit and were toppled by Boston on Saturday in a 4-1 loss.

Is it time to panic? Fans and media seem to forget that teams are only 5 or 6 games into the season. Those at the top shouldn't be too overconfident ( Toronto) and those at the bottom like Ottawa and New Jersey need to turn things around but it's not the end of November. There may be reason for some concern but it's way too early in the season to count any team out. They are not satisfied with their results so far nor  with suggestions of lack of leadership.

"It's easy to say we had great leadership before, because we won," forward Jason Arnott, a former captain in Nashville, as quoted in the Newark Star-Ledger. "If we were winning right now, everybody would think we have great leadership. We have a lot of talent in here and a lot of guys who are great leaders. It's just a matter of bringing it out."

With a few days off, expect the Devils to come out tonight at the Bell Centre with pitch forks a flyin'.

The Habs too have been off four days since their back-to-back wins against Northeast Division competition beating  the Sabres 2-1 on Friday and edging the Senators 4-3 on Saturday.

To the delight of Habs fans,we have witnessed the reawakening of Andrei Kostitsyn  who scored the tying goal against Ottawa and set up the game-winner with 3:59 left in the third period by Tomas Plekanec.

 "Andrei is an important element of our team when he uses his strength, when he goes to the net, and his shot can be an intimidating force," coach Jacques Martin said. "He's been a big factor in our success the last couple of games."

Tomas Plekanec, earning his new contract (2-3-5) has two multi-point efforts in his last three games and leads the Canadiens in scoring.

Now if Scott Gomez and another ex-Devil,  captain Brian Gionta,  would only rediscover the chemistry they've shared back to their days in New Jersey. Gionta scored his first of the season Saturday against the Senators, but he and Gomez have combined for just 2 goals and 4 points over the first five games. Coach Martin continues to try different players with the former Jersey boys but so far no one has really clicked. Tom Pyatt may be a possible line mate tonight.  But again fans it's no time to panic.

"We're getting some great looks, and we're continuously coming close," Gomez said. "We hit a post here, a post there and the puck doesn't find its way in, but a few lucky bounces and suddenly it's a different story. With the amount of skill in the League today, we know that it's important to make the most of those plays, but it's only when you're not getting those looks, not getting those chances that you have to start to worry."

Tonight is a great opportunity for the Canadiens to exorcise these "Devils" once and for all, knowing that their nemesis  can and has been beaten. For sure there won't be heads twirling around or green slime spewed on the ice when  this exorcism takes place.  Brodeur is a great goalie but he is not invincible and he no longer has power house defencemen in front of him. Kovy 2 has the weight of  his big contract and expectation on his back. If the Habs - stay out of their no go zone (the penalty box),  find their lost power play. (Remember when it used to be good? )  and just  play smart hockey as a team, there's no doubt in my mind that they can put the run to the Devils. 

To be on the safe side, maybe  the Habs should wear a clove of garlic under their jerseys or is that just to repel  vampires?  Oh well, vampires, devils whatever. Just beat 'em Habs.