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Let's get physical Attitude adjustment to rough play leads to Devils win
Updated: Sunday June 03, 2001 12:27 AM By Darren Eliot, CNNSI.com
The Devils made some adjustments for Game 2 -- switching lines, defensive pairings and inserting Bob Corkum into the lineup for the injured Randy McKay. Mostly, though, they needed an attitude adjustment -- a commitment to a more physical game. Early on, that mindset put the Devils down a man three times, with Sergei Brylin foolishly retaliating on a clean mid-ice hit by Shjon Podein. Those types of penalties are the toughest to overcome and that held true here, with the Avs jumping out to the lead. Actually, the Avs looked in full control, especially when Patrik Elias took another undisciplined penalty. His mates bailed him out and then some, scoring as his minor expired -- Corkum beating Patrick Roy between the legs on a very stoppable shot. That goal led to back-to-back Colorado penalties and another Devils' tally less than three minutes later. So, not only did the Corkum goal nullify Roy's bid for the all-time shutout streak in Stanley Cup final history, it gave life to the defending champs. Once in front, the Devils looked poised, purposeful and primed to play a dutiful defensive game. They moved their feet and the puck much more efficiently than in Game 1 -- initiating instead of hedging apprehensively. Playing from behind is something the Avs have done very little of in these playoffs. They pressed to tie in the second and third periods, but suddenly chances were few and far between -- outnumbered attacks were unheard of and the traffic they were routinely generating in front of Martin Brodeur was suddenly absent. So, the game, maybe the series, turned on one moment -- a Corkum goal. He wouldn't even be in the lineup but for an injury. And the guy he was replacing, McKay, probably wouldn't have even been on the ice in that penalty-kill situation. Funny how things work out, isn't it? Well, it's hardly funny for the frustrated Avs. Darren Eliot, a former NHL goaltender, is a hockey analyst for CNN/Sports Illustrated and is a regular contributor to CNNSI.com.
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Stevenson's hustle and physical play embodied the needed collective turnaround by the Devils. Oh yeah, he scored the GWG as well -- his fist marker of any kind in the post-season. 
He followed a terrible game with a gem. Was he perfect? No. But playing over 25 minutes, mostly against Joe Sakic -- keeping him off the score sheet at even strength, Stevens set the defensive demeanor for the Devils. The best leaders speak with their actions. Stevens has spoken. Again. 
Not a lot of saves -- only 19 -- but several necessary stops. Think about it. If Brodeur isn't sharp the Devils can't settle into their stifling defensive posture. His mental capacity -- to stay sharp, without much work, in a tight contest that his team absolutely needed -- was an integral aspect of the Devils success on this night. 