Devils 5 Pens 4

In an entertaining and controversial game the Devils beat the Penguins 5-4 last night at Mellon Arena. The Devils have seemed to abandon their normal clutch and grab defensive type of game to embrace a much more entertaining run and gun type of game. Personally, I have no problem with that. It is like watching paint dry when being subjected to that defense first mentality. Here's to hoping that Brent Sutter, New Jersey's new head coach, sticks with this new offensive philosophy!

The controversial moments of the game came in the third period when the Pens apparently tied the game at 4 with a goal that was overturned. The Penguins were issued a "To Many Men on the Ice" penalty due to Sid Crosby and a member of the Devils participating in some pushing and shoving in front of the benches when Sid should have been already over the boards. Secondly, a Devils goal was later allowed when replays clearly showed that Pens goalie Marc Andre Fleury was pushed over the goal line while protecting the puck. A whistle should have been blown at the least, at the most an Interferece penalty should have been called on the Devils since they were not allowing Fleury to play the puck.

While neither may have changed the final score this just displays, again and as usualy, that the rules of the game are interpreted subjectively on a case-by-case basis by the games referees. The rules have to be called as written! There should be no putting away of the whistle in the third period (or any other!). A penalty in the first period should be called a penalty in the 3rd or even overtime.

Next up - Friday at Mellon Arena vs. Carolina