NOTE: ‘The Devils Made Me Do It” was unable to blog from Saturday’s opening game due to technical issues. I apologize for not being on ball with the blog. Or on the puck… whatever.

As the lights dim here in the Pru for another Rangers-Devils game, I was thinking about another sporting event going on tonight.

Being from the great state of Wisconsin, I find myself glad I won’t be watching the Packer-Viking game tonight in favor of the Rangers-Devils game, as it is probably better for my blood pressure.

As I walked from the train station to the stadium, I saw a lot of red and white “4″ jerseys for the legendary Scott Stevens. Stevens was the heart and soul (and all-around badass) for the Devils in their cup winning hey-day. And I saw a lot of similarities between the Stevens we all knew and the Brett Favre I thought I knew (beyond the piercing eyes and dirty blond hair).

So how would Devils react tonight if Stevens donned a Blueshirt and came out of retirement to play for the most hated rivals. Those not from the Cheese state sometimes think that Chicago is the most-hated team, but the Vikings took that title once Randy Moss tried to do the Lambeau Leap and “mooned” the crowd.  So the Rangers/Vikings comparison works.

Would Devils fans cheer for Stevens? Would he get an extra-loud “SUCKS” after his name is announced, as Scott Gomez did after he switched loyalties? Would there be polite applause, an appreciation for the seasons of contributions?

All I know is that it would hurt. A lot. The Packers never got to retire Favre’s #4, but Stevens’ jersey is hanging from the rafters here. Would the team take it down?

I’m not rooting for Brett Favre tonight. If I were sitting in front of my television at home instead of in the press box here in the Pru, I would be booing loudly, and throwing foam-cheese products at the screen whenever the traitor was shown. And I think people know why.

Stevens took a job with the Devils after his retirement, staying with the organization that he gave so much to, and the fans that loved him even more. Favre had that opportunity and decided to bolt. I guess it’s a case of comparing sour grapes to hypothetical oranges.

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Wow. Martin Brodeur sure knows how to make an entrance.

On a night where the buzz in the Pru was palpable, and the number of media behind the scenes doubled, let’s not forget some of the little things that made such a great comeback for Marty.

- Another Martin, first name Paul, also rejoined the line up after a four game hiatus due to an upper body issue. Martin made a huge difference in the game, assisting on two goals including Patrik Elias’ rebound on the power play in the second. Martin does a great job manning the point on the power play and is always in the right place at the right time. He said he felt a little rusty at first, but settled down after a while. It was a good night to be a Martin coming back from injury.

- I talked to Brian Gionta after the game about his conversation with Adam Foote in front of the net in the second period. I asked him what they were talking about, especially since Foote is the difference in height between the two. Gio’s response? “I hit him there behind the net and he didn’t like it too much. So he did most of the talking and I just listened.” The man is fearless.

- The Avalanche are a great reminder of how lucky the Devils are that they were able to maneuver the salary cap straight out from the lockout. They’re able to keep a few key guys like Joe Sakic, Milan Hejduk, Foote and Paul Stasny, but are not able to load up at every position like they did during their cup runs. They were very good for a very long time, but as the core of the team got older all of those prospects that were traded away in blockbuster deals were helping other teams succeed when the Avs needed them. I’ve expressed a few times my concern over the collective age of the Devils; they’re sitting in a small window of opportunity to win a Cup before those core guys are ready to hang ‘em up. At the moment, I am concerned with the number of young prospects in the system, but Lamoriello is extremely smart and probably already has a plan in place. It’s too bad the Avs weren’t quite as prepared for this stage.

- Confession of a Childhood Fan: This game was extra special for me, as I began watching hockey the year the Avalanche became the Avalanche. I have a deep passion for the club, and it was a thrill to meet broadcaster Norm Jones, whose voice has described games over the radio when no TV would carry a game. It was also a treat to get to talk to Milan Hejduk, although other circumstances may have fitted my joy in the occasion better. I love covering the Devils, I love everything about the organization. But there’s always that 14 year old girl watching Chris Drury score the game winning goal in overtime against the Dallas Stars in the Western Conference Finals on her birthday inside of me, wanting to cheer for the navy and maroon. It’s only one game a year (maybe two, and definitely not in the Cup Finals this year) that my loyalties are divided, but nonetheless, it was a special night for me as a journalist and as a fan.

- Zach Parise rules. His spectacular goal eight minutes into the third period was a combo of speed to get around Brett Clark, strength to hold him off and talent to get that puck up and over Andrew Raycroft’s head. And if you needed any other proof of the hockey instincts in this kid, check out what Tom Gulitti’s Blog, Fire & Ice, says about the Elias goal in the second.

For more on Brodeur’s 99th regular season shutout and his return to the ice, check out my game story on www.nysportsday.com.

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