New Jersey Devils-Progress Brings Some Hope

Stats (24 games in) *G-A-P (+/-)*:

Patrik Elias 3-11-14 (-5)

Jason Arnott 8-4-12 (-7)

Dainius Zubrus 3-7-10 (-8)

Ilya Kovalchuk 4-6-10 (-11)

Andy Greene 2-8-10 (-13)

Jamie Langenbrunner

3-6-9 (-6)

Travis Zajac 2-7-9 (1)

David Clarkson 4-3-7 (-7)

Zach Parise 3-3-6 (-1) *IR*

Mattias Tedenby 3-3-6 (3)

Alexander Vasyunov

1-4-5 (2)

Matt Taormina 3-2-5 (-2)

Henrik Tallinder 1-3-4 (-10)

Matthew Corrente 0-4-4 (1)

Brian Rolston 1-2-3 (-1)

Adam Mair 1-0-1 (-4)

Rod Pelley 0-1-1 (-5)

Bradley Mills 1-0-1 (1)

Martin Brodeur 4-10-1 2.74 GAA .901% 2 SO

Johan Hedberg 4-3-1 2.66 GAA .910% 1 SO

Mike McKenna 0-1 3.00 GAA .899%

Progress. That seems to be the word that best describes the month of November for the Devils. When the month started I was ready to hit the panic button on the franchise. Then again when this month started, Johan Hedberg wasn't the starter because Marty is having issues with his elbow. Now, hard to believe, things are getting better. I have alot of confidence in the Elias-Arnott-Tedenby line anytime they are on the ice. Even the Rolston-Zubrus-Clarkson line is hot right now. They just need to be consistent. They can't beat a team like the Capitals 5-0 and then turn around lay an egg when playing the crappy Islanders.

There is still alot of work to do but for the first time all season I can say I see hope. Do I think they will make the playoffs right now? No I don't. Oddly I'm okay with that. I think missing the playoffs this year for the first time since 1996 might be what this team needs right now.