Sunday, March 1, 2009

Devils Blast Panthers; Guerin To Decide On Trade On Sunday

The New Jersey Devils had something to prove after getting thumped 4-0 by the Panthers last week in Miami. Well I think the Panthers got the answer who the better team is as the Devils dominated and tore apart the Panthers 7-2.

Zach Parise led the Devils with 2 goals and an assist, giving Parise 38 goals and 76 points on the season. Of late Parise is not just scoring goals, his goals like his 38th goal are becoming highlight reel goals that are being shown on every network that shows hockey causing fans to scream MVP chants at the game yesterday. Parise is now back on pace for exactly 50 goals and 100 points, which would both be firsts in Devils history.

The Parise-Zajac-Langenbrunner line got some help from the newly formed line of Rolston centering Shanahan and Clarkson. The new line accounted for 3 goals and six points. All three players had a goals and assist apiece on the afternoon. Sutter's changes on the third and fourth lines and may have struck gold as Rolston's was able to use his speed at center, making him much more involved throughout the game and in the offense. The fourth line had Madden at center with Pandolfo and Holik on the wings.

Brodeur got his second straight win stopping 15 shots and is expected to play Sunday against the Flyers.

The real story is coming out Long Island, where the Islanders are said to have a deal in place with a playoff contender for winger Bill Guerin.

Guerin, who has a no-trade clause, was sent home after the pre-game skate on Saturday to mull over the potential trade with his family. Guerin is expected to make his decision known to Islanders management early this morning.

The Boston Bruins were speculated a few weeks ago, but are said not to be the team Guerin could be traded to. The three teams being speculated are the Canadians, Capitals and the Devils. The deal has been a very hush-hush affair, bringing on the though by many hockey media outlets and websites that the only GM who could pull off such a hush-hush trade is Lou Lamoriello.

Guerin leads all Islanders forward with 16 goals and 36 points on the season. A former 1st round choice of the Devils in 1989, Guerin has 403 career goals. The 38 year old is making 4.5M this season and is an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season.

We should know the answer about Guerin sometime around game time for the Devils-Flyers game at 1pm today.

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