Hot Chocolate With The Big J (12/12/09)

Hello all, my name is Jim Charshafian and I’ll be bringing you my opinion and analysis on all things related to New York sports. I’ll try to update this blog once every morning, sometimes hopefully twice a day. My main focus will be on the Devils, Giants, Yankees, and UConn Huskies basketball but I will throw in all of the other teams in there once in a while depending on the news. I expect this blog to produce great things.

So why is this blog called “Hot Chocolate With The Big J?” Well, that’s because I hate coffee. I’ve never liked it and felt in high school all those people drinking coffee just wanted to feel older and sophisticated. Nowadays, Starbucks and Dunkin Donuts have taken over the world. I do love hot chocolate though, and I want my readers to feel like they are having a sit down for a cup of hot chocolate (no coffee) with The Big J (me).

So let’s get this going. Devils lost night at home to Florida 4-2. It’s a loss they deserved but nothing to panic about. Nathan Horton ripped home a blast from the circle 5 minutes in and the Devils were chasing the Panthers all night. Again, for some reason, lots of tips and deflections in this game for both sides. With the Devils down 3-0, (I could count on one hand how often the Devils have been down 3 goals this season) to Scott Clemmensen’s Panthers, Brian Rolston’s goal got NJ back to within two and Dean McCammond got a lucky bounce to make it 3-2 and it looks like another Devils comeback.

As much as I love how Andy Greene’s played this season he committed a mental breakdown to let Michael Frolik get behind the defense and cruise in for the backbreaking breakaway goal that gave Florida a 4-2 lead they would not relinquish.

For some reason, the Devils have had slow starts to games all season and New Jersey dictated the play midway through the second period but Florida’s three goal lead proved insurmountable.

As for Clemmensen, he played the same game he played for the Panthers last night that he did for New Jersey last year and hasn’t done enough of for Florida. He gave up one softie (Rolston’s) and was solid otherwise. So far in Miami, it’s been too many softies for a team who can’t afford to have them. Good game overall for him.

Random Devils Thoughts So Far This Season:

Patrik Elias- He’s lucky he makes so many great passes in the offensive zone to make up for the no-lookers that get picked off in the neutral zone.

Zach Parise- Never seen anyone forecheck harder night in and night out than this guy.

Travis Zajac- A guy who could be as high as second-line center on the U.S. Olympic Team can’t even get a sniff for Team Canada.

Brian Rolston- Doing what he does best: shooting the puck. What he doesn’t do best: back-check, fore-check, and play physical.

Dainus Zubrus- Underrated physical center who picked his game up this season before being injured. Wins a number of battles along the wall.

Jamie Langenbrunner- How many times has this guy come up with a big goal or shootout goal when this team has needed it. Captain for Team USA?

Bryce Salvador- Unsung hero of the Devils “D.”

Andy Greene- Finally realizing the potential Devils fans saw as early as the 2007 playoffs.

Martin Brodeur- Still a rock.

That’s it for now. Tomorrow I’ll have a recap of Devils-Flyers and preview Giants-Eagles. Wonder if this “Turnpike Weekend” will get as much coverage as the first game around in October. Nah. Big J Out.

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http://twitter.com/The_Real_BigJ (there’s been impostors before)