Where are the Hanson Brothers when you need them? The scene-stealing trio from “Slap Shot” would have been a welcome sight in the New Jersey Devils’ locker room Saturday night against the Los Angeles Kings.

It took until the third period for Captain Jamie Langenbrunner to defend himself against repeated uncalled tripping incidents. It seemed on every shift, someone had their stick between Langenbrunner’s skates and Jamie was off balance and on the ice.

Now, Langenbrunner has never been the game’s best skater, but he surely had help being taken out of the offense.

My thought is, though, why didn’t anyone else on the Devils’ come to their captain’s defense? What are those of us not in the locker room not aware of?

The Hanson Brothers would no doubt have facewashed a King after the first or second uncalled trip (aluminum foil optional). But they also would have lit a fire underneath the team.

Recently in home games, the Devs have followed a pattern that can only be described as disturbing for a team with aspirations of going deep into the playoffs.

The first period is well contested, usually out shooting the opponent. But if the shots aren’t connecting with the back of the net in the first period, it seems like a sense of frustration overwhelms the offense, and silly penalties replace solid passes in the second period.

The middle-session let down has to end for the Devils to remain at the top of the Atlantic Division. Several players have referenced the “level of compete” in the players not being where it should be.

If there was one thing the Hanson Brothers could be counted on for, you knew they would compete every night with every ounce of energy (whether it was on the ice or with remote control cars).

Maybe Coach Sutter can show the boys some clips from Slap Shot after the first period and remind the locker room that there are three periods of hockey and comebacks are not the most desirable way to gain two points.

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Marty Brodeur spoke with the media today after the morning skate. Brodeur has been skating regularly for a few weeks, and hasn’t talked about his rehab progress since right after his surgery. The all-world goalie was in good spirits and should be ready to go in a few more weeks.  Check back for more from Marty’s Q&A session.

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Willie O’Ree, the first African-American player in the NHL, is here tonight to drop the puck. I had a chance to chat with Mr. O’Ree before the game, and it was an honor.

Currently, Mr. O’Ree is on an 18-day trip, making appearances and conducting hockey clinics for youth in NHL cities. Any kid who gets a chance to learn hockey from this man is blessed.

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Pandolfo is a scratch again tonight, and Jay Leach is as well, which I would assume to mean Colin White’s sore hand was just that and he’ll be back in the lineup tonight.

In terms of the statistical match-up against the Ranger, something jumps out of the game notes. New York is dead-last in short handed goals given up(13), and New Jersey is second in short handed goals scored (10). Brian Gionta and Jamie Langenbrunner scored short handed against Atlanta on Friday, so watch the Devils’ penalty kill unit closely. If I’m Coach Sutter, I may just take a few on purpose (just kidding… but really, Coach, think about it).

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