If the NHL ever wises up and re-emphasizes its glorious history by naming divisions for its newer legends, instead of by map, the local bracket should morph into the Lamoriello Division. His Devils have made a habit of winning the old Patrick Division crown since it was renamed for salt water.
It never gets old, and the Devils last night basked in their ninth Atlantic Division title in 13 seasons, their 7-1 rout of the disinterested Islanders in Newark last night combining with Pittsburgh’s loss to clinch the title.
“It means a lot,” Martin Brodeur said, after also taking the narrow lead over the Bruins for the Jennings Trophy. “It’s a competitive division of big rivalries. We have to be happy about what we’ve accomplished.”
It is a dynastic feat. Adding to its impact is that in the four times since 1997 they have failed to win the crown, the most they ever have fallen short was three points (2008), ending second twice more, by two (2000) and one (2004) and third (two points out of first, 2002) once.
The title assures New Jersey of a second or third seed in the playoffs, needing a point against the Sabres today in Newark to clinch second. It means the Devils will face Montreal, Boston or Philadelphia in the first round, but not the Rangers, should they beat the Flyers today.
For comparison, the Islanders haven’t won the Atlantic/Patrick Divison since 1988, and the Rangers since 1994. Phoenix/Winnipeg has never won a division since entering the NHL in 1979-80, Edmonton hasn’t since 1987, Los Angeles since 1991, while Columbus, Florida and Nashville also have never taken a division. Detroit’s streak of eight straight division titles ends this year.
The victory also gave the Devils 101 points this season, their 11th 100-plus season in 13, and 12th all-time. This is the first year Phoenix/Winnipeg cracked 100 points. The Islanders last reached 100 in 1984, Edmonton in 1987, and Los Angeles needs a point today for its first time since 1991. Florida, Atlanta and Columbus never have had 100 point seasons.
All this from a team that was missing Paul Martin, Patrik Elias, Dainius Zubrus, Jay Pandolfo and since-traded Johnny Oduya for major parts of the season.
“I’m very happy. Many times we didn’t play at our best, but found a way to win,” coach Jacques Lemaire said. “Now I think we’re playing maybe our best hockey lately.”
The romp was the Devils’ biggest goal-total and margin of the season, topping a 6-1 triumph over the Islanders Nov. 28, one of three previous six-goal games.
Zubrus opened the scoring with his 10th at 10:54 of the first, a goal verified by video review. Martin’s deflected point shot slid past the net as Isles goalie Martin Biron dove in vain and unnecessarily. With Biron out of position, Zubrus retrieved the puck at the right side and shot into the mixer where Zach Parise and Isles Bruno Gervais and Biron arrived simultaneously, as the puck fell off Biron and into the net.
Parise spun off Andrew McDonald in front to backhand home a Colin White rebound for his 38th at 14:18, and Dean McAmmond burst left wing around McDonald to made Biron look bad with his eighth, a wrister from deep on the left side at 15:48 of the first. Patrik Elias’ power play point shot eluded Biron at 11:16 of the second and Brian Rolston became the oldest-ever Devil to score 20 with his power play goal at 19:11 of the second. Ilya Kovalchuk made it 6-0 with his 42nd, and 10th with New Jersey, by tipping in Andy Greene’s shot at 8:49 of the third.
Matt Moulson spoiled Martin Brodeur’s shutout bid at 6:50 left, scoring his 20th on a power play redirect of John Tavares’ feed before Elias added his second of the night with 1:36 left.