New Jersey Devils Tickets

New Jersey Devils 2010 Playoffs Preview The New Jersey Devils seem to make it an annual event to reach the 2010 NHL playoffs and this season is no different.

As has been the case for well over a decade, the Devils are led by goaltender Martin Brodeur. Brodeur, who will go down as one of the NHL's all-time best goaltenders, has slowed considerably the past few years.

He is coming off of a very shaky Olympic performance for Team Canada that saw him eventually benched in favor of the backup. That might have been an overreaction by the coach, but he hasn't been playing at the level he is accustomed to.

Then again, this isn't your grandfather's New Jersey Devils. The Stanley Cup champions of the past relied mostly on outstanding play from Brodeur and good defense combined with timely goal scoring.

The new and maybe improved version (time will tell) features a team that is much more offensive-minded. Young, budding star Zach Parise is coming off an outstanding performance for Team USA in the Olympics and is the leading goal scorer. He has plenty of help around him with Jamie Langenbrunner and Patrik Elias.

New Jersey definitely has some revenge on their mind as they head into the playoffs after last year's disastrous finish in Game 7 against the Carolina Hurricanes. The Devils led by a goal with less than two minutes to play in the third period only to give up two goals and get eliminated from the postseason in stunning fashion.

Ironically enough, that problem has continued over into this season, as the Devils have given up a late goal in the third period in a number of games. It has really come back to haunt them, and it cannot continue into the postseason.

For the Devils to make a deep playoff run, they are going to need Brodeur to step up and play much better. Teams like the Washington Capitals and Pittsburgh Penguins will give the Devils a lot of trouble if they can't stop the puck from going into the back of the net.