Four long months later

February 22, 2009   ·   Hasan   ·   Jump to comments

By now everyone knows the Devils’ story – losing HOF goaltender Martin Brodeur on the first of November was thought to be a death knell, especially after the team lost five of its first six games post-Brodeur injury.  Yet, in one of the season’s most redeeming stories the Devils rebounded to go 31-12-1 in their last 44 games, not only keeping the team afloat but (for now) comfortably in first place, eight points up on the Flyers with Brodeur set for a possible return this Thursday at the Rock against Colorado. 

Deserving of a lot of the credit for the Devils’ current position in the standings is Scott Clemmensen.  A 31-year old career minor leaguer from Des Moines, Iowa and once an eighth-round Devils draft pick, he’s one of a handful of goaltenders to come out of nowhere to make an impact this season (Steve Mason and Jon Quick come to mind as well), but Clemmensen’s perhaps the most unlikely of those success stories.  Especially considering once while serving as Brodeur’s backup a couple years back Clemmensen admitted he didn’t feel a part of the NHL since he played so infrequently. 

Clemmensen wasn’t even supposed to be the answer in net this year.  Kevin Weekes after all, had been Brodeur’s backup last year, had much more NHL experience and started four of the Devils’ first five games after the Brodeur injury.  Clemmensen however, started 38 of the next 45 games and his overall numbers have been stunningly good.  To his credit, Weekes never let suddenly gaining, then losing the starting goaltender job affect him and after a slow start he’s picked up wins in his last five games with GAA and save percentage numbers actually a tad better than Clemmensen’s, though clearly playing far fewer games and against lesser teams makes that a little misleading.

Overall numbers: 

1. Clemmensen 25-13-1 2.39 GAA .917 Sv.Pct. 2 SHO 39 GS
2. Weekes 7-4 2.32 GAA .924 Sv. Pct. 11 GS

In any case, anyone who thought those two goaltenders – and this team – was capable of putting up numbers like that should have put a bet down in Vegas, they’d have a nice little nest egg. 

Yet, I’d be remiss if I didn’t give a hats off to the Devil offense as well.  It’s been like night and day compared to last season.  One stat tells you all you need to know about this team’s revamped attack – during the last six years the Devils had exactly one home game where both teams scored five goals or more (the 7-6 home opener win against the Leafs a couple years ago).  This year?  New Jersey has had four such games, including the season-turning 6-5 shootout win over the Caps in mid-November when the team was reeling, as well as a 6-5 win over the Sharks and 8-5 win over the Rangers where the team picked Clemmensen up after subpar games.  Giving Clemmensen and Weekes the wiggle room Brodeur hasn’t enjoyed the last few seasons has also helped out.

At times - usually when Paul Martin or Colin White miss a game – the defense has been shaky but when everyone’s healthy they’ve been a solid unit, despite still lacking an offensive presence at the blueline.  At least having Bryce Salvador (not to mention a healthy White) around for most of this season has improved the D from last year, when we ran the likes of Vitaly Vishnevski and Karel Rachunek out there.  True it hasn’t been much better lately with Andy Greene, Jay Leach and Anssi Salmela getting more minutes with Martin on the shelf but getting everyone back and perhaps another Lou Lamoriello trade to bolster depth should help.

As critical as I was of Sutter early in the season for overplaying his vets, his faith in them – and in Clemmensen over Weekes – both turned out to be justified, and Sutter hasn’t had to be as rigid in year two with a hungrier, more talented team.  And speaking of Lou…who would have ever thought bringing back Clemmensen on a minor league deal would prove to be more critical than bringing in Brian Rolston or Bobby Holik? 

Moral of the story: It does pay to have goaltending depth.  Just ask a certain division rival who shall remain nameless for the time being, especially since we’re playing them this Sunday (hint, hint)!