Devils overcome adversity to edge Ducks 2-1, Power Play still struggling, Devils get secondary scoring

The Devils finally got a type of victory they needed where they had to overcome adversity. Yes, adversity happened when Jason Blake scored the first goal of the game for Anaheim in the 2nd period, but the Devils fought through and Jamie Langenbrunner about 2.5 minutes later tied it up at one. In the 3rd period, it was a complete defensive effort for both teams as there was a 4 minute period with no shots by either team. But, Rookie Alexander Vasyunov, who filled in for Josefson stole a puck in the neutral zone and passed it to Patrik Elias for a one-timer-goal. Marty Brodeur was stellar in net despite facing torpedo like shots up high from a distance, making 27 saves. Hiller played sensational in the loss for Anaheim.

Brodeur will start again tomorrow in Los Angeles, so no Johan Hedberg on this trip likely. The Devils dominated the first period before both teams settled down for the second and third. The Power Play was 0-4 tonight and continued to struggle and almost cost the Devils the game, when the Devils after 4 on 4 play failed to successfully kill off a Ducks power play which led the Blake goal. The most important element tonight was that other Devils that had to show up like Elias and Langenbrunner scored the goals. Secondary scoring is in effect for now.

Kovalchuk played very well tonight after being unnoticeable in San Jose. He was paired with Elias and Vasyunov, so the Russian connection helped him. Vasyunov at times looked like Kovy with the puck. In my opinion Parise does look a bit banged up, so hopefully he heals fast and gets back on the scoring track.

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Volchenkov will not play in Vancouver on Monday, but Chicago on Wednesday is a possibility, but it is a long shot.

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Rich Chere of the Newark Star Ledger is reporting that plans are in the works to retire former Devils great Defenseman Scott Niedermayer's number 27 later in the season. GM Lou Lamoriello said nothing is final, but that plans are in the early stages. Niedermayer won 3 Stanley Cups in New Jersey and 1 in Anaheim in 2007 as their captain. He was part of the core 4 defensemen on the team along with Scott Stevens, Ken Daneyko and Brian Rafalski. I think the ceremony will probably take place sometime in March on a Friday or Saturday evening game.