Garden State of Hockey- Episode 44: December 21, 2009

This week, we covered Martin Brodeur’s shutout record-breaking performance in 2009 against the Pittsburgh Penguins, equipped with healthy versions of Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. Come for the shutout and stay for Dean McAmmond’s best game as a Devil playing alongside Zach Parise and Patrik Elias. Bryce Salvador, Niclas Bergfors and Mark Fraser all found the back of the net in this contest which saw Marc-Andre Fleury pulled in the second period. Looking back, it’s amazing how this roster managed to be in first around Christmas and place second in the conference. All credit to Jacques Lemaire.

Our next game is a big mark for the franchise as well as the 1988 Devils were the first team in franchise history to make the playoffs. After shocking the Islanders in Round 1, the Devils found themselves in the Patrick Division Final against the Washington Capitals and it took seven games to decide this one:

This magical first run was cut short by the Bruins but getting to the Eastern Conference Final on the first try is nothing to sneeze at. This roster should look similar to the game from 1986 against Pittsburgh that we watched earlier in the month but be on the lookout for the difference makers that vaulted them from the bottom of the league into semi-finalists.

As always, feel free to share your experiences and thank you for listening!

Let’s go Devils!