The Time: 6 PM EST (Doors open at 5 PM EST)
The Broadcast: TV: MSG (HD); Radio: 970 AM
The Current Score: New Jersey Devils 0 - Tampa Bay Lightning 3, 9:12 left in the 2nd Boxscore, Event Summary
Last Night for Both Teams: The New Jersey Devils battled hard and all over the ice against the Montreal Canadiens, as both teams traded off scoring chances and hits throughout the game. Martin Brodeur and Jaroslav Halak were brilliant and the game went to a deserved overtime. Zach Parise found himself behind all four Canadiens, Travis Zajac found him, and Parise scored the overtime winner to win 2-1. My recap of that game is here.
The Tampa Bay Lightning, on the other hand, went to Philadelphia and were soundly beaten by the Flyers. The Flyers went up one before putting the team away in the third period to end it 4-1. So much for bringing any confidence from a 3-0 lead over the best team in the East. John Fontana recapped the game at Raw Charge. Needless to say, I would think both teams are rather tired. John Fontana at Raw Charge has a quick summary of where the game stands.
Quick Summary of What Happened on Friday: The lights in Martin Brodeur's end went out and the rink was dark enough that the teams felt safety was an issue. The lighting issue turned out to be an internal one with the Prudential Center, and PSE&G only came in to assist them with their problem. The issue was resolved later that night after the game was officially postponed. The delay within the arena lasted nearly 2 hours before any announcement was made. Steve was on top of this on Friday night; for other summaries SB Nation's NHL hub has a stream on it and Tom Gulitti had quotes in addition to news.
Yesterday, it was decided that the game would be completed today. According to Chere, this is costly to the Devils, but Lou isn't complaining. The team announced on the official site yesterday - and was repeated throughout the MSG broadcast last night - that all fans who have a ticket from Friday's game able to admitted for free as well as get a free ticket to a future game through a policy that will be announced on Tuesday. Update: Gulitti reports that if you bring your parking receipts for the garage, you'll be able to part there for free. Other lots have discounts. Since parking has been brought up as a question, that should answer it.
Quick Thoughts: I would think that since the game is going to pick up where it last left off, both teams will have to use the same rosters they started with (meaning: Leblond is in for Pikkarainen if that is the case). Since the game ended after what the puck went into the benches and there was a stoppage in play, maybe Jacques Lemaire would be able make a goaltending switch to start this completion. There is absolutely no need to have Brodeur finish the whole game. Danis should get the remaining 29:13 or at least the vast majority of it. Admittedly, the Devils are in a pretty deep hole and I'm not expecting a win. For the Devils to salvage this game, they need to end the second period with something on the scoreboard and then play like they are on fire throughout the third. They have to crack Mike Smith, simple as that. All while not making stupid mistakes in their own zone, staying out of the box and/or allowing another goal. A fourth goal against would probably make the game out of reach, so Tampa Bay has the advantage here. All they need to do is to not fall apart and they should get the win.
So I think that the mentality for the Devils should be that they have nothing to lose, so let's get try to get at least a point of that. And if they do, I will be heard at the Rock laughing really loudly and obnoxiously.
Song to Pump You Up: Yep, this is an OPEN THREAD for tonight's game. So comment here before and during the game. Since this the last time the Devils will see Tampa Bay during the season, I think a fitting song would be Time Crime by Northern Ireland neo-thrashers Gama Bomb. "Yesterday could be tomorrow's today, but yesterday might be tomorrow too," indeed.
Other Things: Division snapshot is here, SB Nation has mid-season awards and check out all of those Sabres. Personally, Lemaire should be coach of the year unanimously, but Tippet turning Phoenix around isn't an undeserving pick.
I can't imagine many people will show up on the account of short notice and who still has their stub, but I will be there to see this debacle finally come to a conclusion. Let's hope for the best but expect the worst. Steve will be commenting in-game here, I will be in my regular seat (Sec. 1, Row 16, Seat 5) commenting by a mobile device, and the game will eventually end. Rules always apply: keep the comments clean and relevant to this game. Go Devils!