Mission accomplished. Brent Sutter’s whip-cracking turned the Devils into a crack outfit last night.
“They responded well, the whole team,” Sutter said after last night’s 4-1 stomping of the Flyers in Newark. The victory followed two days of exhausting practices, punishment for a 5-0 loss to the Penguins on Monday.
“Night and day,” said rookie Rod Pelley, whose first NHL goal completed the scoring and chased Flyers goalie Martin Biron for the first time this season.
“It all started right after the last game. We knew we had to change things. Our preparation was a whole lot better, and you could tell in the morning skate and before the game,” Pelley said.
Sutter perched his players atop stationary bikes after the loss Monday, then skated them in wind sprints Tuesday, then ran a long scrimmage Wednesday, making sure the message was delivered.
“As long as the players recognize what took place [Monday] is unacceptable. They’re getting a feel for myself and what are my expectations, and those of the staff,” Sutter said.
The Devils even dismissed two of their season’s bugaboos. They won for the first time (1-6-1) after allowing the first goal, and won for the first time when John Madden didn’t score.
But their biggest first was Dainius Zubrus’ first two goals as a Devil, both in the first period as they took over the game.
“We wanted to respond,” said Zubrus, Lou Lamoriello’s big signing of the summer, $20.4 million over six years.
Blanked for the Devils’ first 14 games and shifted from line to line to spark his production, Zubrus admitted to trying to block out the worries.
“It’s nice to get it out of your head,” Zubrus said. “It’s in the back of your mind a little bit. At the same time, you don’t want to think about it.”
Brian Gionta ended the Devils’ goal drought at 132:52 with his fourth of the year, collecting Karel Rachunek’s blocked shot in the right circle to beat Biron at 14:28.
Zubrus put his team in front with his first as a Devil at 14:46, fighting off Braydon Coburn to convert Jay Pandolfo’s slot rebound at the right side of the net.
Zubrus then gave the Devils a two-goal lead with 29.4 seconds left in the first, taking David Clarkson’s pass in the slot to score off Biron’s arm.
Pelley chased Biron with his first NHL goal, a five-hole backhand from deep and wide on a right wing rush at 2:48 of the second.
*
Forbes magazine said the value of the Devils’ franchise increased 31 percent to $195 million, because of their new arena. The Rangers are valued at $365 million, second to the Maple Leafs at $413 million. . . . Rachunek returned to the Devils lineup after missing four games with a groin injury. Mike Mottau was scratched. . . . Colin White skated with the team in yesterday’s morning workout, mostly as a morale boost for him. He’s been out since being struck in the right eye with a puck Sept. 19, and his vision is blurry.
Devils 4 Flyers 1