Even as the Devils backers back out, they refuse to back down.
It’s becoming a Major League script, too implausible to film. With minority owners putting their stakes in the team on the block, the Devils continue to rise from the grave, though they still are in the NHL cellar.
As if in defiance of the plans of Mike Gilfillan and Ray Chambers to sell their team shares, which was reported yesterday, the Devils last night resumed where they left off at the All-Star break as the hottest team in the league.
Their seventh victory in nine (7-1-1) only added more drama to the unfolding plot, as they snapped a tie with only 5:43 remaining for a 2-1 triumph over the Senators at the Prudential Center.
“There’s a feeling that we’re on the right track. Nobody can deny that,” said Dainius Zubrus, whose attempted pass glanced up and in off a stick for the winner.
“There are things happening,” Martin Brodeur said. “The snowball is contagious.”
The Devils sudden revival only will matter, though, if they pull off what would be a record comeback to make the playoffs. They were 27 points back last month. They must go 25-6-1 the rest of the way to reach 88 points, the fewest to make postseason in the current format.
“We’ll give it our best shot,” Brodeur said. “Trust me. [Coach] Jacques [Lemaire] is really going after it.
“This thing is going to grow,” he said. “Hopefully something good is going to happen this year, but if not, then we’ll have grown for next year.”
The players professed indifference to what could be a deflating revelation of partners bailing.
“It doesn’t make it more difficult,” David Clarkson said. “Just do your job. Right now, we’re doing that.”
“It’s their business and it’s their decision, so we can’t really do anything,” said Ilya Kovalchuk, whose $100 million, 15-year contract is likely a bone of contention between the splitting partners.
“Jeff and his group of partners make the third owners we’ve had since I’ve been here, with Dr. [John] McMullen and YankeeNets and Vanderbeek,” Brodeur said. “That’s part of the way it goes. There’s a turnaround. Montreal’s been sold three times since I’ve been in the NHL. So, it happens.”
Vanderbeek’s office claims he will retain control of the team and nothing will change operationally. Following an initial report yesterday by Bloomberg, and a hair-splitting denial from his office, Vanderbeek ‘fessed up.
“As managing member of the New Jersey Devils, it is not my desire to sell the team,” Vanderbeek said in his statement. “My partner, Brick City, and I have different visions for the franchise. While Brick City has a right, under our partnership agreement to explore a sale, and Moag and Co. has been retained to assist in this effort, I anticipate maintaining a controlling interest.”
Against those backroom maneuvers, the Devils managed to keep their dream on track. After a scoreless first, in which the Devils limited Ottawa to two shots, Nick Palmieri put New Jersey on the board with his fourth in 11 career NHL games and third in five. Andy Greene’s blocked point shot slid to Palmieri at the left side of the net to backhand over goalie Robin Lehner on his second try, 35 seconds in.
Ottawa answered on Alexi Kovalev’s 5-on-3 goal at 5:09 of the second, from a back door pass by Daniel Alfredsson. In his 18th season, Kovalev scored his 20th career goal against New Jersey, in 72 games, not including that 1994 Game 6 goal that ignited the Rangers’ comeback.
Lehner stood firm thereafter, stopping 21 straight shots, until Zubrus’ pass from the right side went up off Chris Phillips’ stick and flopped in over Lehner’s short side shoulder to keep the dream alive, and growing.
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Colin White rejoined lineup without a practice, nine days after his last activity with the team. He was idled with what the team called a lower body injury.
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Defenseman Henrik Tallinder recalled his days with the Sabres when they were facing bankruptcy before being sold.
“Some guys didn’t get paid their bonuses,” he said. “Nobody knew if we were going to stay or not.”
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Mattias Tedenby was scratched. . . . Devils visit the Rangers tomorrow and play host to Panthers Friday before visiting Montreal Sunday afternoon.
