Taken to school

Devils did what they do best to claim their third Cup

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- The term "homers" in hockey is often a derogatory one. Not so when you are trying to win the Stanley Cup on home ice in a seventh game.

The Devils played yet another textbook game in front of the Jersey fans, never giving the Mighty Ducks a chance to fulfill their dream.

In a playoff run in which New Jersey posted the worst road winning percentage of a Stanley Cup champ since expansion in 1967-68, the Devils offset that dubious distinction by recording the most home wins in postseason history.

And they did it in convincing fashion. From the outset, the Devils pounded the Ducks on the forecheck, once again ravaging them with body blows. For the first 10 minutes of the game, the Devils shot the puck in and banged away. Shots on goal would come later. Goals would follow in the second.

Three Stars      SI.com's Jon A. Dolezar gives you his three stars of the Devils' Game 7 win.  Analysis and Opinion  • Darren Eliot: Team effort for Devils More Stories  • Game 7: Recap | Box Score • Giguere wins Conn Smythe Trophy • Rookie Rupp unlikeliest of heroes • Burns had enough new tricks • Big brother wins out in sibling battle • Injured Nieuwendyk wins third Cup • Ducks fans watch loss at Pond • Notes: Devils dominated at home • Line Analysis: Mighty Ducks | Devils • Goalie Analysis: Giguere | Brodeur  Instant Poll  Who should have won the Conn Smythe? Martin Brodeur Jeff Friesen J-S Giguere Jamie Langenbrunner John Madden Scott Stevens View Results

That's right. At first glance, the Ducks weathered the onslaught, emerging from the first in a scoreless draw. But the effect of the punishment was cumulative. The bruising forwards of the Devils began to find room in front of Ducks netminder Jean-Sebastien Giguere, making it difficult for him to find the puck.

When rookie Mike Rupp deflected a Scott Niedermayer long-range wrister past Giguere, the goalie's reaction spoke volumes. He whipped the puck out of the net with his stick in disgust -- maybe dismay -- knowing full well the importance of the game's first tally.

Ultimately, the importance of overall team experience was the deciding element in this one, something underscored by Devils head coach Pat Burns' decision to dress veteran defenseman Ken Daneyko for the first time in the finals.

Sure, Rupp had a memorable game with a goal and two helpers -- the first player to score his first playoff goal in a Stanley Cup Game 7 -- but it was the execution by his experienced teammates that made his unlikely heroics possible.

Goaltender Martin Brodeur proved his claim as the best in the business. Scott Stevens lengthened his legacy by captaining a third championship team in New Jersey in nine seasons -- even if his signature remains the bone crushing open-ice hit. And Niedermayer again was elegant and excellent on the blueline, supporting the team cause in every manner required. He is the most unheralded star in the sport.

The Ducks never really had a chance. As soon as the puck dropped, there was never a sense that they could undermine the Devils' determination. In the end, that is what defined this Game 7. Everyone loves to win, but the Devils' disdain for losing is stronger than every other team -- especially at home, where Lord Stanley’s Cup resides once again -- in East Rutherford, N.J.

Three Stars

The Devils are the ultimate team. Picking just three guys doesn't do justice to the group. Brodeur posted his record-setting seventh shutout. Former Mighty Duck Jeff Friesen scored twice. Rupp had a storybook night. Niedermayer was magnificent. Stevens was impenetrable. Pascal Rheaume, Turner Stevenson and Jamie Langenbrunner all were ferocious on the forecheck. Colin White had his best game of the finals ... you get the picture.

Darren Eliot, a former NHL goaltender, is a hockey analyst for SI.com. Eliot will provide Stanley Cup Playoffs commentary throughout the postseason, and he is also broadcasting the Stanley Cup Finals for NHL Radio.

 

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