OTHL -- One of the biggest story in the playoff's so far has been the one about Dwayne Roloson and his Conn Smythe worthy goaltending. But tonight Roloson and the Coyotes ran into the Devils deadly offense, and Roloson was chased from the net after allowing 5 goals on 25 shots. The Devils took game one after convicing offense and solid powerplay.
But it was Phoneix that had the lead after the first 20 minutes. Mats Sundin (9) and Shawn Bates (3) scored one each for the visitors, while Pavel Bure got his first goal of the playoff's up on the scoresheet for the Devils. Getting Pavel Bure going in time for the finals could turn out to be a real game breaker for the Devils.
"Pavel Bure is that kind of player that can take the puck and win games when he is on his game. He has struggled so far in the playoff's, but tonight he had a very good game and that is a good thing... for us." - Devils head coach Pat Burns said after the game.
The first period had belonged to the visitors, but in the second the home team started to take over the game. Even if the Coyotes scored the first goal in the middle period. David Vyborny, who has been in the penalty box for most of the playoff's scored seven minutes into the period to give Phoenix a 3-1 lead. Vyborny's goal came on a 5 on 4 powerplay when Jay Pandolfo was in the box for New Jersey. But outside of the goal and some powerplay chances, the Coyotes did not produce much in the shape of scoring chances. Insted the Devils took over and at times it was the Devils vs Roloson. And with 13 minutes played, Roloson had to pick out the second puck of the night from his net. Pavel Kubina (5) blasted home the 3-2 puck assisted by Niedermayer and Gomez.
The third period had just started when Coyotes winger Andrei Nazarov highsticked Brent Sopel in the face. Sopel injured his elbow on the same play, and left the game. Nazarov also left the game as he was given a game misconduct for the highstick. And on the asuming powerplay, the Devils scored the game tying goal. Slava Kozlov (6) who has been a offensive force for the Devils in the playoff's tiped home the 3-3 goal. And two minutes later, Kozlov (7) tallied his second of the game to put the Devils in the lead for the first time tonight. And now the Devils started rolling as they scored two more goals before the period was over. Three minutes after Kozlov's 4-3 goal, Antoine Vermette made it 5-3 with his 4th goal and two minutes after that, David Legwand (6) scored to make it 6-3.
The Coyotes had now seen enough, and tempers started flairing. Fredrik Modin handed out a ugly elbow that earned him a early shower. Slava Kozlov who was the best player on the ice tonight, was on the reciving end of the elbow and he too was forced to leave the game. However unlike Sopel, Kozlov will not miss any games due to a injury.
"A good start to the finals from our point of view. We played a good game, but our defense can be much better. Now we look forward to game two." - Kyle McLaren said after the game.
PLAYER OF THE NIGHT: Vyacheslav Kozlov (New Jersey) scored two goals, including the game winner.