Views from the top

Devils, Senators leading the way in the East

I had the distinct pleasure of seeing two of the NHL's top teams in action on successive nights this weekend -- first the Devils in New Jersey, and then the Senators in Ottawa. Both teams are enjoying fine seasons atop their respective divisions, challenging for the top spot in the East as well as the Presidents Trophy. Despite their similarly stellar campaigns, what struck me was the contrast between the two teams.

Defining the Devils is their brilliant netminder Martin Brodeur. This is hardly a revelation. Brodeur just became the first goaltender in NHL history to win 30 games in eight straight seasons. Many factors go into such an impressive testament to consistency. Brodeur cites his health, workload and the team's consistently high performance level as integral in his setting the mark.

Ottawa, on the other hand, has Patrick Lalime as its No. 1 netminder. Like Brodeur, he played in this year's All-Star Game and has posted strong numbers over the past several seasons. Unlike his Devils counterpart, Lalime is still trying to establish himself as a bona fide elite goalie, even though he has shown flashes recently, including his dazzling play in the first round of the playoffs last spring against the Philadelphia Flyers.

Still, whereas Brodeur's backup Corey Schwab has four wins this season, Lalime's understudy Martin Prusek has 10. The difference is that in Ottawa, Lalime is the starter; in New Jersey, the Devils are Brodeur's team. Further, Brodeur's puck-handling is such a defining trait that it impacts the way the Devils regroup in their own zone. More telling, Brodeur's capabilities in fielding the puck dictates how opponents shoot the puck in and set up their forecheck.

Lalime provides no such intimidation, which isn't a knock on him. It simply illustrates a compelling reason as to why the Devils are so successful despite having a slowing and graying blueline corps. With Oleg Tverdovsky sidelined, Brodeur might just be the next most mobile and capable passer in the Devils defensive zone, after rearguards Brian Rafalski and Scott Niedermayer.

That blueline composition is also the likely reason why the Devils favor controlled breakouts -- more so than any team in the NHL. Dictating the pace is paramount to the Devils' success and important in maximizing the effectiveness of small-ice experts Scott Stevens and Ken Daneyko. A style predicated on flow would expose the pair's limited foot speed.

Meanwhile, the Senators are exactly the opposite in that regard. They have a five-man skating game that involves the defensemen aggressively pinching at the offensive blueline to keep plays alive. They are active skaters -- even bruisers Zdeno Chara and Chris Phillips -- due in large part to their young legs. Only Curtis Leschyshyn is over 30 years old, and at 33 is by far the elder statesman. By contrast, the Devils' contingency of Daneyko, Stevens and Tommy Albelin all were born in 1964.

Regardless, both teams are effective defensively, with the Devils ranked No. 1 and the Senators No. 5 in goals against. Offensively, though, the two teams are worlds apart -- again reflected in their respective styles. New Jersey's patient, passive forechecking approach fits its veteran forwards to perfection, allowing them to use their smarts and experience to counterpunch the opposition into submission. They lack a game-breaker, though.

Patrik Elias is their best pure goal-scorer, yet he often finds himself in a checking role. And if you want further evidence that the Devils put a premium on the defensive side of the game, look no further than the fact that Elias and checking centerman John Madden receive the same 18:17 minutes of ice time per night.

In Ottawa, that is far from the case. With Daniel Alfredsson, Marian Hossa and Martin Havlat patrolling the right side, the Senators boast a gifted and creative offensive player on each of the top three lines. That balance is the team's biggest strength and the main reason the Senators lead the NHL in goals scored. Having the top- rated power play doesn't hurt either.

Conclusions? Both the Devils and Senators are impressive in their own manner. Come the postseason, when every team tightens up defensively, you wonder if the Devils have enough firepower to compensate and if they haven't already maxed out on defensive discipline. With their playoff pedigree and Brodeur in goal, though, the Devils remain a legitimate threat.

Thus far during the regular season, the Senators have demonstrated all the components necessary to secure the Eastern Conference championship. All that is lacking is a history of similar postseason success.

So, a telling and compelling weekend settled nothing, other than there is more than one way to get results in the NHL.

 

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