Preview

The NHL season is already underway, and the New Jersey Devils are off to a good start. The Devils are currently 4-1, with their only loss coming to rival NY Rangers. They are in third place in the Atlantic Division right now, but have played two less games than the second place Penguins, and four less games than the first place Rangers. The Devils have had a few days off, but resume play tonight at 7 against the Dallas Stars. The Stars, as most Devils' fans remember for losing to the Devils in the 2000 Stanley Cup Finals, are currently 2-3-1. Don't think this will be a boring game though. Dallas is one of only two teams to defeat the Rangers in regulation so far this season. Also, they picked up Sean Avery from the Rangers in the off season. Devils' fans remember Avery for his unsportsmanlike play during the playoffs last year against the Rangers. Waving his stick in front of Devils' goalie Brodeur's face during a power play for the Rangers, Avery got more attention for his act than just from players and fans. The NHL changed their "face-guarding" rule, which will not tolerate this sort of act without an unsportsmanlike penalty resulting. The Devils' will be shorthanded in this game though. The off season was a successful one for the Devils, bringing back Brian Rolston, from the 1995 Stanley Cup champion team, and also Bobby Holik, from the 1995 and 2000 Stanley Cup teams. However, both are now injured and will miss tonight's game. The game tonight will definitely be an exciting one though, as both teams continue to try and start off the 2008/09 season right. Post-game analysis coming later...