Martin Brodeur says he prefers the comeback the Devils have already started to the one they’d face if they don’t keep it going.
“A 1-3 comeback is tougher than 0-2,” Brodeur said. “With 0-2, you still have one [loss] to play with. When you’re down 1-3, there’s no margin for error.”
They’d prefer avoiding the 1-3 comeback necessity, which they’d face if they fail to square their first-round series in Game 4 against the Flyers tonight at the Meadowlands. They’ve managed both, in 1994, beating the Bruins after losing the opening pair, and in 2000, when they rebounded from 1-3 against Philly to reach the Stanley Cup finals.
One comeback situation per round would be enough. Brodeur says the Devils must be just as desperate tonight as they were in Monday’s 4-2 Meadowlands triumph.
“We can’t feel any differently because [a 1-3 deficit would mean] it’s do-or-die in Philly [Saturday], one of the worst places to play,” Brodeur said. “That’s why it’s such an important game for us.”
The record book says 1-3 comebacks occur 9.5 percent of the time (19-of-200), while 0-2 deficits are overcome at a 13.3 percent rate (34-of-255). Long odds, either way.
They avoided having to talk about the 1942 Leafs and 1975 Isles, the only-ever 0-3 winners, on the strength of Monday’s power play. Pat Burns’ switch that put Brian Gionta alongside even-strength linemates Scott Gomez and Patrik Elias helped start the comeback, and another of Burns’ moves could keep it going.
Burns also reunited Jamie Langenbrunner with John Madden and Jay Pandolfo on the checking line Monday. While there’s no guarantee they’ll stay together, it looked like a winner.
Madden, Pandolfo and Sergei Brylin had done a superb job of stifling Michael Handzus, and more importantly, his wingers Mark Recchi and John LeClair. Langenbrunner figures the Devils want more than even play from the checkers. They want the counterattack goals that deflate opponents.
“Absolutely. That’s exactly why I’m there,” said Langenbrunner, who led the playoffs with 11 goals last spring. “It’s the same reason I went there against Joe Thornton’s line last year. I’m not there just to shut someone down.”
The Devils can’t expect a three-goal power play performance nightly. They have always required some balance in their scoring, and prospered when it has come from Madden’s line. Jay Pandolfo has his hands full with Recchi, who has been well-limited to one power-play goal in the first three games.
“I don’t think [Madden’s] line has gotten on the board yet, but they haven’t given up anything [even-strength], either,” Langenbrunner said. “The coaching staff’s thinking about what we need to win this series.”
That thinking should include victory tonight, desperate now, or more desperate later.
