New Jersey (5-3-0) at Pittsburgh (9-1-0)

I too played for the Devils for many years. As a matter of fact, I also invented the blocker pad. I don't own season tickets, but I do own a minor league team.

Good day sir and thank you for your time. I wish you and your Devils luck and good fortunes.

Jon J Your ignorance is astounding!!! Where in that Wikipedia article does it mention a 1-2-2 defense? Point out where it says it was employed by the Montreal Canadiens (who were known as the Flying Frenchmen in the 1970's) which is where Lemaire learned it? I've been a Devils season ticket holder since 1982. I've played in over 10 charity hockey games against the NJ Devil Alumni. I've heard Lemaire describe the 1-2-2 defense countless times as well as his comments that the media coined the word "trap" in the 1990's to describe a system that Montreal used in the 1970's! I also coach a high school team and play against many teams that use a 1-2-2 or a left wing lock (go look that one up) . So it helps to know what it is. The fact that you thought my description was too good would normally be very flattering if it didn't come from such a loser.

ingoal31 - I copied it to show your post was right from wiki moron. I knew your description was too good. You got OWNED. Get over it already.

so we will just go 80-2 this year.....big deal

@75 Talk about failure. The only thing about my post that resembles your on line encyclopedia is that they both describe a system that any true hockey fan could easily describe. I never saw that long winded explanation before this. The fact that you copied and pasted a description of it means that you had to go to Wikipedia in the first place to look up the definition. If I described the conditions to be awarded a penalty shot as a player in complete control of the puck who is fouled from behind, denied a clear scoring opportunity, with nobody to beat except the goaltender and you found the same description in your encyclopedia would you think that was plagiarized too? Probably, because you don't have that off hand knowledge in your enormous hockey mental data base. Well, you can always look it up. Try looking up "misinformed". It may have your picture next to it.

Props to the Devils, but it doesn't matter too much how well you play now. It's the end of the season and the playoffs which matter. I couldn't give a sh!t less about the trap, but I do know the Pens learned a valuable lesson last year: Save some for dessert homie! I had numerous friends here in the 'Burgh who thought the Pens wouldn't even make the playoffs last year. We all know how that worked out. You people who think the regular season matters a lot haven't been paying too much attention. In '08, Detroit was an exception to the rule by winning the President's Trophy and the Stanley Cup. Normally, winning that piece of crap just means your team expended too much energy during the regular season. SAVE SOME FOR DESSERT HOMIE!! You all can have the president's trophy and the division titles. The Pens will take the hardware which actually counts! See you in the playoffs suckas!! GO PENS!!

there is no need for the wiki defintion of the trap,just watch game 7 of the stanley cup finals last year.the team wearing black in that one i can rember crystal clear using the trap hard core.i figured cool one more team i wont have to listen to this crap when we beat them.i was wrong cause here we are hypocrisy full blown,i guess i just assumed any pen fan who took the time to post would have atleast a basic clue about what they were talking about.again i was wrong.

I enjoy reading all of the posts about the pennies, you can break them down this way, 99.5% of America and Canada hate the little whinny biatches and want to see them crushed and bloodied every time the girls hit the ice. The other 1/2% are penny fans from the arm pit close to the mistake on the lake and love their team and worship them like they are hockey gods. The women (pigs with lipstick) who ain't berfin no babies at the time wish that cindy or evelyn would "lode them up" which we all know is not possible unless they are looking at thier latest edition of Blue Boy (cindies favorite) or Moscow mule (evelyn's favorite) while in the act, which in the other 49 states constitutes beastiality by law. The men on the other hand wish that they were getting the "lode" instead and would proudly do a Lewinski and not wash thier jersies ever again (kinda like their hair look in the stands if you ever have to watch a game).
I hope that people follow the rules of sportsmenship and any time you see an idiot wearing a pennies jersey tell them how you feel about thier 2 favorite things to do in Sh@#sburg praying to Gary Bitemen for another number 1 draft choice and INCEST

I don't understand Pens fans, honestly.

Your team was out of the playoffs for 4 years from '01-'02 to '05-'06. It took four years of completely sucking off each team in the NHL to make your current team what it is.

The Devils?
They sucked early on, sure. However, they've been the main force in the Atlantic since '96-'97. Technically they can be considered for years before that if you don't consider '95-'96's hiccup.

Hold on a minute. The Pens lost? I hear the league is looking into this. Reports are that Sid said some of the Devils were mean to him. Uncle Gary will have the last say on this one......

Dutch--I wasn't talking about just this loss. Every loss that Pittsburg has had--both preseason and postseason--is always about officiating, bad ice, bad bounces, AND THE LIKE!! And, if you are all so pissed off about "the trap" that facilitated the Pens loss--dare you remember that you played it a couple of years back? You couldn't figure out how to beat it? All excuses. They were off, and they lost. It happens. At least I can handle the truth about the Wings and not make excuses for them. All I can say is there is a lot of hockey left and anything can happen.

@73 - you took that right from wikipedia you failure (see below). TRUE HOCKEY FAN my @ss lol. Nice try though...you almost looked smart for a second.

As for the holding, it isn't needed as much because d'men can skate now. AND...it's about positioning not holding. Marty makes it work too. It wouldn't be half as good if he didn't move the puck like he does.

I give the Devils credit, but denying the trap makes you look silly. Ya, the pens tried it for a little two years ago. First, we didn't run if for 60. Second, it was deployed mostly in the 3rd when we had a tram beaten. We lost in the finals, fired the coach, and got over it.

The Devils are a really good team, I can't imagine how good they could be if they got a really good center and played hockey while Marty is still good. Then deploy the trap in the third with the lead...

WiKi ref:

The neutral zone trap (often referred to as simply the trap) is a defensive strategy used in ice hockey to prevent an opposing team from proceeding through the neutral zone (the area between the blue lines) to force turnovers. The strategy is generally used to level the playing field for teams that are not as offensively talented as their opponent, though the trap can also be used by teams simply looking to protect a lead late in the game.

The most recognizable implementation of the trap sees the defense stationing four of their players in the neutral zone and one forechecker in the offensive zone. As the offensive team starts to move up the ice, the forechecker (generally the centre) will cut off passing lanes to other offensive players by staying in the middle of the ice, forcing the puck carrier to either sideboard. The defensive wingers—typically placed on or near the red line—will be positioned by the boards to challenge the puck carrier, prevent passing, or even keep opponents from moving through. The two defencemen who are positioned on or near the blue lines are the last defence, and must stall the opposition long enough for the wingers to reset themselves and continue the trap.

The trap reached prominence with the New Jersey Devils' 1995 Stanley Cup victory, and has been widely criticized for reducing scoring.[1] It has, however, proven to be very effective, especially in the playoffs. During the 2004–05 NHL lockout, serious discussion about opening the game to offense was done by both the NHL and NHL Players Association (NHLPA). Because it is easier to trap when engaging in obstruction and restraining fouls, such as hooking and holding, which slow the progress of faster players who can evade the trapping team, the NHL ordered officials to call every obstruction penalty, regardless of circumstance. The prohibition on two-line passes from behind a team's blue line to the other side of the red line was also lifted. Long passes are one method for breaking out of the trap, as it avoids the need to navigate through defenders in the neutral zone, although it has high rates of turnovers. Defensive minded teams have reverted to a "third man high" system where only two offensive players will commit down low, allowing the third to join the defense and impede progress across the blue line.

The Pens have played 13% of their schedule. The Devils have played 11% of their schedule. The league will shut down for the Olympics. As a Devils fan I know a couple of things. 1) There's a lot of hockey to be played. 2) The Devils have a coach again rather than a clown like Brent Sutter. 3) John Maclean will be the next Head Coach of the Devils. 4) The Devils have the best goaltender in the history of the game. 5) The RANGERS SUCK.

I'll leave the rest to the hockey gods.

Let's Go Devils!

These posts are getting old. It's so easy to spot a true hockey fan because of the propensity of parrots out there who just repeat everything someone else says. The "trap" word is used in almost every other post even though the majority of commentators don't even know what it is. The "boring trap" they think they are referring to is actually the 1-2-2 defense Lemaire used to play with the Flying Frenchmen of Montreal in the 70's. In '95 the Devils took a lot of heat over it because it also involved a lot of clutching, grabbing and interference. The Devils generally slowed down the opposition and allowed very few quality scoring chances and hoped to score one more goal than their opponents. They have been stuck with that reputation ever since and all the non fans have been repeating the "trap" every year since the first Cup (including 2000 when they lead the LEAGUE in scoring). And so they continue to use the word in reference to last night's game. I guess all the Devil haters once again thought it was boring. Meanwhile, NJ held a high powered offense to one goal, their goalie made 32 saves, many of them difficult when the game was close, and scored 4 goals themselves playing their boring trap. I guess if Pittsburgh had won 4-1 with Malkin and Crosby scoring it would have been a really exciting game. The fact is, almost every player and analyst says the Devils are a very difficult opponent to play against because they play smart without the puck and are extremely opportunistic. They will force you to make a mistake and they will capitalize if you do. Listen to any post game interview with an opposing player or coach and see what they have to say about NJ. You'll never hear the word trap used but then again none of them are as smart as the monkeys who continue to write these posts. Just keep repeating what someone else said. You don't have an original thought any way. We'll keep enjoying boring hockey while Fatso (Sean Avery called him fatso so it must be true so let's keep repeating it even though we don't know what his playing weight should be or how much he actually weighs) Brodeur keeps winning hockey games. You real fans know who you are any way.

I like how Penguins fans have conveniently forgotten, or are simply too ignorant to realize, that their team trapped all throughout the 08-09 postseason.

So we lost a game. Big deal! The Pens are the 2009 Stanley Cup Champions. The Devils just had our number last night. It happens to the best of us. I’ll tell you what, for all of you Devils fans, come back to my post next June and see if this game was that significant when you and your team are watching us in the Finals this season (again) from the comfort of your Lay-Z-Boy Recliner in your family rooms.

GO PENS!!!!!!

So we lost a game. Big deal! The Pens are the 2009 Stanley Cup Champions. The Devils just had our number last night. It happens to the best of us. I’ll tell you what, for all of you Devils fans, come back to my post next June and see if this game was that significant when you and your team are watching us in the Finals this season (again) from the comfort of your Lay-Z-Boy Recliner in your family rooms.

GO PENS!!!!!!

Haha. Now "someone" is accusing the Pens of having an easy schedule. When does the madness stop? Lol. Ya win some, you lose some. Go Pens!!

The only reason I hate Martin Brodeur is because the Pens have to face him 6 times a year, he played incredible last night, stopped what 32 or 33 shots, including Chris "I Can't Find The Back Of The Net" Kuntiz's frenzy in the first period. Good game by the Devils, that trap can do a team in, but only for a game not a series ;) .. Anyways, props to Marty, sorry about your shutout record! Let's go Pens, rebound against that @#$% of a team Montreal on Wednesday.

And to everyone calling scheduling the reason for the hot start, must you try to find an excuse for EVERY time the Pens are doing good?? Its either the refs, Bettman, other teams injuries, luck, now the SCHEDULE?! Get real...

Wow, such hostilities towards the Devils. The Trap is back in NJ and alive and well as much as Mario and Jagr are playing with the Pens. Hockey is played at both ends of the ice, hockey has never been one-dimensional where scoring is and should be the priority. Good TEAMS play both offense and defense whether you're a forward or a defenseman. Bettman even ruined it for NJ because Marty was such a good stickhandler that he was the third defenseman on a dump and chase and Marty would pass it to a streaking player up the ice where the opposing team couldn't set up camp in the offensive zone and pepper Marty with pucks. If you people want to see NJ be more offensive, let ALL the players with skills utilize their natural talents and I guarantee Marty would get anywhere between 5 to 10 assists a season and help NJ's offense.

@63 - fail...

When we see better talent - like the last two cup finals? It dosen't get better then that - and our team is actually better than last year. Cupcakes, like the wins against Rangers and Flyers who beat you?

Again, watch game, notice 2-3 or the 1-2-2.

The score has no bearing if they were running the trap. Did you watch the game? Do you understand hockey? And it's called defense -- when all five players are in a 2-3 starting at center ice every time. Epic fail @55.

Here's the thing, the Devils can't win the cup. You need one of the following to win the cup with a trap system:

A) A rule against two line passes (aboilshed because of NJ).
B) Marty from 94 - 04 who can win a 7 game series by himself.
C) Players that can create offense, not wait for a bounce or mistake to get a scoring chance.

The sad thing is NJ may have enough talent to play O but they won't dump the trap. It is a little better than years past where they play 60 minutes.

As a fan, it really sucks to watch. Maybe NJ fans don't notice because it's all they watch, but open hockey is the greatest thing ever. I don't mind it in the 3rd if a team is protecting the lead in a critical game, but c'mon.

I will enjoy discussing this further after the 2nd round of the playoffs this year when NJ is out.

All of you Penguins fans needed a reality check before last night regarding your Team's "Cup Hopes".

The Devils provided that reality check. And I think many other GOOD TEAMS(not the cupcakes you all faced prior) will do much of the same.

Oh and The REAL "TRAP" is Dead 'cause of the new rules. Remember the new rule of "Interference"? The NHL had to make that rule BECAUSE of the Devils TRAP. What all of you saw last night was a Good Penguins team struggling against a BETTER Devils Team who were shutting down a high-octane offense through good, Solid D. The notion that just because LeMaire is back behind the bench that the Trap is back is absolutely silly.

Pens are the champs and will be again!!!!! hahaha!! lets go pens! too bad the wings are sorry this year and we can't beat their butts again this year for the cup!