First and most importantly, the return of the….

Gio Tracker!

 

Gio Tracker! Brian Gionta scored a shorthanded goal Friday night against the Atlanta Thrashers in “Revenge of the Worst Hockey Game Ever,” at 8:08 of the third period. The Devils won 5-1 infront of a very solid Kevin Weekes, raising the Gio Tracker stats to 11 wins in the 12 games that Gionta has scored a goal. The current GT winning percentage is: 91.7%. 

In other news, Colin White will not play tonight against the L.A. Kings after taking a shot to the left hand during last night’s win. He missed the second and third period, and it is possible that he may have a broken hand. Jay Leach skated during warm ups, indicating he may replace White in the line-up tonight.

Speaking of Leach, a Trenton Devils alum, another reminder to check out my interview with T-Devs beat reporter Mike Ashmore. Learn about the players like Leach who are trying to work their way up to the big game.

The Devils defeated the Kings in January, 5-1, in Los Angeles to begin a six-game road trip. Scott Clemmensen got win, and New Jersey scored three power play goals (Zajac, Elias, Rolston) in seven attempts.

While the Devils were crushing the Thrashers last night, the cross-Hudson rivals were also getting their rear ends handed to them. Dallas put a 10-2 beating on the Rangers, who were without Henrik Lundqvist, on a night where rumors were afloat that despised forward Sean Avery would be placed on waivers by the Stars and claimed by the Rangers. Personally, I find it disturbing that someone with so little respect for the game would get yet another chance, but it may work out for the best for the Devils. Avery is known as a locker room cancer, being a pest not just on the ice surface. The Rangers are struggling for offense, and Avery, who is completing anger management therapy, truly had only one tremendous goal scoring season.

Another concern for New York would be whose responsibility it would be to keep Avery in check. During his last stint with the Rangers, and partially while in Detroit, Brendan Shanahan was a calming influence on the volitile Avery. With Shanny now with the Devils, who will take that role? Chris Drury doesn’t seem like the type to want to deal with the drama… Is a mediocre player worth this much trouble?

Shanahan, on the other hand, has completely endeared himself to his teammates (as if he hadn’t already) by tussling with Eric Boulton of Atlanta in the first period. Mike Rupp was going to take the offense for a cross-check on Shanny, but the vet went to bat for himself. After watching Shanahan in his first few games with the Devils, you could tell he was looking to take on someone, and I’m glad he finally had the chance. If no one signed me for half the season and I was still an elite player, I’d want to hit someone, too.

Heard at the media dinner table before the game against L.A.: Trade rumors- Chris Pronger to the Devils? Brian Gionta to someone? Kevin Weekes to the Islanders? … Much speculation on the ration of time spent covering Alex Rodriguez’ steroid use versus the Devils’ success. Best guess is estimated to be 12 days of A-Rod, 5 minutes of Devils. Ah, the anonymity of the NHL.

Check out http://www.nysportsday.com for my game story on New Jersey vs. Los Angeles.

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