Game Recap: 10/5/2005

In the first bit of real hockey action in some sixteen months, the Devils did not disappoint last night, routing the Penguins and the much-ballyhooed Sidney Crosby 5-1 at Continental Arena (recap | boxscore). It was a lot of fun to watch the game, and it was interesting to see the new rules played out. The most noticeable change was in the penalty-calling as the teams combined for 18 minor penalties, ten of those committed by Devils.

The wealth of power play time led to a lot of scoring chances, but I have to agree with Devs coach Larry Robinson who, when asked how he liked the flow of the game, responded "What flow?". There were so many stops and starts last night it was hard to get any real momentum, and that was just me watching the game! The league has to make a long-term commitment to calling the game as tightly as they did last night and it will pay off many fold. The short-term cost will be an increase in the number of penalties called and a decrease in the overall flow of the game, but it's important to remember that these players have been getting away with these moves for a long time and it's foolish to think they will adapt overnight. I suspect that within a month or so the players will have transitioned to the new style of play, they will cut down on the number of penalties called and the general flow of the game will be much improved.