-
We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.
~ GO DEVILS!!! **Official** Your 2003 Stanley Cup Champions!, The New Jersey Devils ~
- Thread starter edro
- Start date
Stevens returns to lead Devils to win
Canadian Press
4/30/2003
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) - A good night's rest is all Scott Stevens needed to get back into playoff mode.
Returning to New Jersey's lineup two nights after being hit in the left ear with a puck, Stevens scored a goal and anchored another strong defensive performance as the Devils beat the Tampa Bay Lightning 3-1 Wednesday night.
The Devils lead the best-of-seven series 3-1, and can end it at home on Friday night.
The 39-year-old Stevens didn't make a definitive decision to play until after the pre-game skate. But he had a pretty good idea he would try after waking up at the team hotel and discovering much of the swelling in his face had subsided.
``I had a lot of sleep, and I think that really helped,'' said Stevens, who played with extra padding on his helmet to protect the injury. ``Our equipment manager did a good job, and the doctors reassured me that things should be fine.
``But it was my call. No one put pressure on me. They said: `It's up to you Scotty. ... If you can go, go.'''
Scott Gomez and Patrik Elias also scored for the Devils while Jassen Cullimore replied for Tampa Bay.
``We're in a good position, but the series is far from over,'' New Jersey's John Madden said.
``We've watched Tampa Bay win four in a row off Washington (in the first round). ... I was very surprised to see that, so I give a lot of respect to them and would not count them of the series by any stretch.''
Stevens missed all but 77 seconds of Game 3 Monday night after Pavel Kubina's slap shot hit him in the side of the face, opening a cut that required 15 stitches, and adding an element of controversy to the series.
Some of the New Jersey captain's teammates wondered whether Kubina intentionally shot the puck at Stevens, drawing an angry response from Lightning coach John Tortorella and his players.
Kubina denied he was aiming at Stevens and apologized to the 13-time All-Star, who not only started his 138th consecutive playoff game for the Devils, but was on the ice for all three of New Jersey's goals.
``He didn't seem like he missed a beat,'' Tampa Bay's Dave Andreychuk said.
In fact, Stevens played more than 10 minutes of the opening period and finished with a team-high 27:35 of ice time.
``He didn't play like a guy that was trying to protect an injury. He did everything,'' New Jersey coach Pat Burns said.
``He's an unbelievable leader. We need him in the lineup,'' Madden added.
``He'll go down in the history books as one of the toughest guys ever to play the game. I've seen him endure a lot of things that would make a grown man cry. When he goes in the hockey Hall of Fame, that's one of the things I'll remember about him is his toughness.''
Gomez scored on the Devils' first shot, beating Nikolai Khabibulin between the pads on a breakaway set up by Andreychuk's turnover at the red line. The Devils are 5-0 in the playoffs when they score first.
The Lightning made it 1-1 on Cullimore's wrist shot from the top of the left circle later in the opening period. Five minutes later, Elias, the Devils regular-season leader with 28 goals, put the Devils ahead for good with his first of the playoffs.
Stevens scored from the slot following a faceoff, making it 3-1 on a power play with 6:47 remaining in the game. It was his 25th career playoff goal in 218 games.
``I have to give the guys credit that played around me, because they made it a lot easier for me,'' Stevens said. ``I think they worked extra hard to help make things a little easier for me. I made a few mistakes, and they covered up for me.''
Notes: Khabibulin hadn't allowed a first-period goal in six games before Gomez scored. ... Gomez has one goal and five assists in the series after not having any points in the Devils' first-round win over Boston. ... Stevens has not missed a playoff game in 12 seasons with the Devils. ... New Jersey RW Turner Stevenson was scratched with a groin strain. ... Lightning D Brad Lukowich will miss the remainder of the playoffs after breaking his right hand in Game 3. ... Cullimore's goal was the first by a Tampa Bay defenceman in the playoffs.
Cheers,
Aquaman
Canadian Press
4/30/2003
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) - A good night's rest is all Scott Stevens needed to get back into playoff mode.
Returning to New Jersey's lineup two nights after being hit in the left ear with a puck, Stevens scored a goal and anchored another strong defensive performance as the Devils beat the Tampa Bay Lightning 3-1 Wednesday night.
The Devils lead the best-of-seven series 3-1, and can end it at home on Friday night.
The 39-year-old Stevens didn't make a definitive decision to play until after the pre-game skate. But he had a pretty good idea he would try after waking up at the team hotel and discovering much of the swelling in his face had subsided.
``I had a lot of sleep, and I think that really helped,'' said Stevens, who played with extra padding on his helmet to protect the injury. ``Our equipment manager did a good job, and the doctors reassured me that things should be fine.
``But it was my call. No one put pressure on me. They said: `It's up to you Scotty. ... If you can go, go.'''
Scott Gomez and Patrik Elias also scored for the Devils while Jassen Cullimore replied for Tampa Bay.
``We're in a good position, but the series is far from over,'' New Jersey's John Madden said.
``We've watched Tampa Bay win four in a row off Washington (in the first round). ... I was very surprised to see that, so I give a lot of respect to them and would not count them of the series by any stretch.''
Stevens missed all but 77 seconds of Game 3 Monday night after Pavel Kubina's slap shot hit him in the side of the face, opening a cut that required 15 stitches, and adding an element of controversy to the series.
Some of the New Jersey captain's teammates wondered whether Kubina intentionally shot the puck at Stevens, drawing an angry response from Lightning coach John Tortorella and his players.
Kubina denied he was aiming at Stevens and apologized to the 13-time All-Star, who not only started his 138th consecutive playoff game for the Devils, but was on the ice for all three of New Jersey's goals.
``He didn't seem like he missed a beat,'' Tampa Bay's Dave Andreychuk said.
In fact, Stevens played more than 10 minutes of the opening period and finished with a team-high 27:35 of ice time.
``He didn't play like a guy that was trying to protect an injury. He did everything,'' New Jersey coach Pat Burns said.
``He's an unbelievable leader. We need him in the lineup,'' Madden added.
``He'll go down in the history books as one of the toughest guys ever to play the game. I've seen him endure a lot of things that would make a grown man cry. When he goes in the hockey Hall of Fame, that's one of the things I'll remember about him is his toughness.''
Gomez scored on the Devils' first shot, beating Nikolai Khabibulin between the pads on a breakaway set up by Andreychuk's turnover at the red line. The Devils are 5-0 in the playoffs when they score first.
The Lightning made it 1-1 on Cullimore's wrist shot from the top of the left circle later in the opening period. Five minutes later, Elias, the Devils regular-season leader with 28 goals, put the Devils ahead for good with his first of the playoffs.
Stevens scored from the slot following a faceoff, making it 3-1 on a power play with 6:47 remaining in the game. It was his 25th career playoff goal in 218 games.
``I have to give the guys credit that played around me, because they made it a lot easier for me,'' Stevens said. ``I think they worked extra hard to help make things a little easier for me. I made a few mistakes, and they covered up for me.''
Notes: Khabibulin hadn't allowed a first-period goal in six games before Gomez scored. ... Gomez has one goal and five assists in the series after not having any points in the Devils' first-round win over Boston. ... Stevens has not missed a playoff game in 12 seasons with the Devils. ... New Jersey RW Turner Stevenson was scratched with a groin strain. ... Lightning D Brad Lukowich will miss the remainder of the playoffs after breaking his right hand in Game 3. ... Cullimore's goal was the first by a Tampa Bay defenceman in the playoffs.
Cheers,
Aquaman
darkjester
Golden Member
A L L
T H E
W A Y
! ! ! ! !
DEVILS! 😀
T H E
W A Y
! ! ! ! !
DEVILS! 😀
TRENDING THREADS
-
Discussion Zen 5 Speculation (EPYC Turin and Strix Point/Granite Ridge - Ryzen 9000)- Started by DisEnchantment
- Replies: 25K
-
Discussion Intel Meteor, Arrow, Lunar & Panther Lakes + WCL Discussion Threads
- Started by Tigerick
- Replies: 25K
-
Discussion Intel current and future Lakes & Rapids thread- Started by TheF34RChannel
- Replies: 24K
-
-
