It looks as though we’ll finally find out if the critics are right about the New Jersey Devils.
The first thing we’ve heard on the heels of recent early playoff exits by the Devils goes something to the effect of, “If Marty Brodeur wasn’t too tired to lift his arms, New Jersey would still be playing.”
It took an injury to finally force Brodeur out of the Devils crease and everybody assumed the team would collectively throw in the towel after that happened.
But thanks to the strong play of Scott Clemmensen and a deep forward group, the Devils could very conceivably win the Atlantic Division.
Brodeur should return from elbow surgery before March, giving him just enough time to shake the rust before the post-season begins.
There will still be nobody like Scott Stevens, Scott Niedermayer or Ken Daneyko on the blueline, but another out-of-the-blue Jersey run to the final is not beyond comprehension.
The Hockey News ranks the teams 1-30 each Monday based on a combination of last week’s play and a squad’s overall outlook.
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