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The Devils needed Brodeur to send it into overtime and then the shootout.

Grabner, looking for a hat trick, skated in alone at 9:12 of the third but was robbed by Brodeur. Then, with 6:28 left, he made a save on Pierre-Marc Bouchard, who was in the clear.

In OT, Brodeur’s big save came on John Tavares.

"That’s a big point. We have to start somewhere," Brodeur said. "A lot of new guys. You could tell a little bit with the shuffling and in the shootout. New face after new face. It’s going to take a little bit of time. We need to give ourselves some time. I think it’s a great thing we’re going on the road. Get to know each other.

"It’s a slow process. I think everybody wants it to be a fast process, but the fact is it’s a lot of new players learning a lot of different things about our system and jelling as lines and teammates. This was not a bad game whatsoever. It would’ve been a lot more fun to get two points. It didn’t happen. We’ve got to move on to the road and get some points over there."

Although the Devils were unable to get two points, it was a memorable home opener.

"It was pretty cool. It’s a real nice arena and the fans can get loud," Brunner said. "It was cool with the team presentation. It was definitely something special."

Particularly when new owners Josh Harris and David Blitzer dropped the ceremonial pucks. Blitzer wore a Brodeur jersey.

"I kind of noticed that," Brodeur said. "I have to ask for a job. I met one right after the game. They’re a class act."

He doesn’t need to ask for a job just yet.

New York Times LOADED: 10.06.2013

719769 New Jersey Devils

Devils: Mark Fayne deals with being the odd man out on defense

By Rich Chere/The Star-Ledger

on October 04, 2013 at 1:48 PM, updated October 04, 2013 at 2:51 PM

Sixteen months ago Mark Fayne was one of two Devils defenseman who played in all 82 regular-season games prior to figuring prominently in the club’s run to the 2012 Stanley Cup Finals.

Captain Bryce Salvador was the other.

But as the Devils opened their 31st season, Fayne was the odd man out on defense. He was scratched from Thursday night’s season-opening 3-0 loss in Pittsburgh and isn’t in the lineup again for tonight’s home opener at Prudential Center.

“We’ve got seven capable D and a few more down in the minors right now. I don’t think any spots are solid,” Fayne said after a grueling morning practice with assistant coach Mike Foligno. “I think I’m going to have to earn a spot through practice and these conditioning skates and try to get back out there.

“I know that once I get in there my job is to not come out. Right now I just have to have the mindset of just getting back into a game. You can’t worry about too much or look down the line because that will just get in your head and ruin your confidence. Right now I have to think back on the Stanley Cup run and all the other good memories I’ve had playing and draw from those.”

Fayne, 26, seemed to be on the verge of a steady spot in the lineup as one of the Devils’ top defensemen. But last season he dealt with a couple of injuries while appearing in 31 of 48 games.

The coaching staff seemed to lose a little faith in the Nashua, N.H., native.

“I got hurt at the end of last year, so I was out for the last eight games or so. I think that is what they were going off (coming into training camp). Then they made decisions off what they saw in camp. I just have to deal with it and fix it,” Fayne said.

“I think I had a solid camp, but I think everyone did. I think it was very competitive all the way to the end having (Alex) Urbom staying up and having (Eric) Gelinas and (Jon) Merrill sent down at the very end. With the number of D we had, it was very close. That’s what you want in camp. You want everbody pushing each other. I don’t think there is much separation from the top to bottom. As a team that’s what you want. As an individual it makes everybody stay on top of their game.”

Fayne said he is “perfectly” healthy now.

Interestingly, the Devils kept eight defensemen after training camp. To clear enough roster space they had to put Urbom on waivers with the hope of slipping him through and sending him back to Albany (AHL).

But the Washington Capitals claimed Urbom on Thursday. He will have a spot on coach Adam Oates’ club for at least a month.

Fayne could have viewed the loss of Urbom as a plus for himself, but he was happier for the 22-year-old Swede.

“To be honest, I was happy for him because that means he has to stay up for a month. I don’t think he’s really had that opportunity yet of being with a team for a full month,” Fayne said. “I think that’s going to give him an opportunity to show what he has. I know Oatsie liked him back when he was here. I think it’s good he’s goingto get a legitimate 30-day trial. I’m confident he’s going to stay all year.”

The Devils will begin a five-game Canadian road trip Monday night in Edmonton. Fayne would figure to get back into the lineup at some point during the trip, with a chance to reclaim his spot as a regular.

Star Ledger LOADED: 10.06.2013

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Devils score three goals, but can't nail down first victory of season

By Rich Chere/The Star-Ledger

on October 05, 2013 at 3:11 PM, updated October 05, 2013 at 6:06 PM

Devils coach Pete DeBoer saw something in Martin Brodeur before the 41-year-old goaltender strapped on his pads, emerged from the Zamboni entrance during player introductions and started his 19th consecutive home opener.

“He’s in the best shape I think he’s been in conditioning-wise and weight-wise in a long time,” DeBoer said. “He looks hungry and ready.”

Brodeur wasn’t perfect, but he came through with several vintage-type saves as the Devils picked up their first point of the new season in a 4-3 six-round shootout loss to the Islanders Friday night before a non-sellout crowd of 16,624 at Prudential Center.

“I haven’t played a game in two weeks, let alone an NHL game that counts,” said Brodeur, who made 23 saves and stopped the first five shots he faced in the shootout before Matt Moulson became the first player to score.

“So for me it was good. I enjoyed the way I played. I’d like to get one goal back. I think I made the right decision on the first goal (by Michael Grabner), but I just didn’t get lucky there and the puck slipped through my pad.”

Grabner scored two goals and assisted on one by Frans Nielsen.

“The first one I surprised him. I think he just lost the puck and it went through me,” Brodeur noted. “The second one he kind of made a seeing-eye shot through my legs. I’d like to get that one back. It’s amazing how many breakaways that guy gets. We said it before the game and he still got three or four of them.”

There was reason for optimism from the Devils, who saw Swiss winger Damien Brunner open his account with the team by scoring a pair of goals.

“It’s good when you get some goals early in the season. It gives you confidence,” Brunner said.

Michael Ryder, another free agent signing, also scored his first goal for the Devils.

“You don’t want to wait too long and feel pressure,” Ryder said, “but it would be better if we’d come up on the winning side and got two points.”

Brunner's second goal tied the score, 3-3, at 7:34 of the third period. Seconds after a Devils power play had ended, Anton Volchenkov’s shot was tipped in front by Ryane Clowe and the puck dropped for Brunner, who lifted it over goalie Evgeni Nabokov's right pad.

The Devils needed Brodeur to send it into overtime and then the shootout.

Grabner, looking for his hat trick, skated in alone at 9:12 of the third but was robbed by Brodeur. Then, with 6:28 left, he made a save on Pierre-Marc Bouchard, who was in the clear.

In OT, Brodeur’ big save came on John Tavares.

“That’s a big point. We have to start somewhere,” Brodeur said. “A lot of new guys. You could tell a little bit with the shuffling and in the shootout. New face after new face. It’s going to take a little bit of time. We need to give ourselves some time. I think it’s a great thing we’re going on the road. Get to know each other.

“It’s a slow process. I think everybody wants it to be a fast process but the fact is it’s a lot of new players learning a lot of different things about our system and jelling as lines and teammates. This was not a bad game whatsoever. It would’ve been a lot more fun to get two points. It didn’t happen. We’ve got to move on to the road and get some points over there.”

Although the Devils were unable to get two points, it was a memorable home opener.

“It was pretty cool. It’s a real nice arena and the fans can get loud,” Brunner said. “It was cool with the team presentation. It was definitely something special.”

Particularly when new owners Josh Harris and David Blitzer dropped the ceremonial pucks. Blitzer wore a Brodeur jersey.

“I kind of noticed that,” Brodeur said. “I have to ask for a job. I met one right after the game. They’re a class act.”

He doesn’t need to ask for a job just yet.

Star Ledger LOADED: 10.06.2013

719771 New Jersey Devils

Devils' Cory Schneider knows his return to Vancouver will be 'a pretty big deal'

By Rich Chere/The Star-Ledger

on October 05, 2013 at 2:56 PM, updated October 05, 2013 at 9:21 PM

As road trips go, this is a monster for the Devils, who aren’t happy about short bus rides into Manhattan when there is heavy traffic at the Lincoln Tunnel.

They will fly 8,000 miles in a span of 13 days to play games in five cities. All but the finale in Ottawa will be stops in western Canada.

There is one game, however, that figures to be far more intriguing than the rest. That will come Tuesday night in Vancouver when Cory Schneider returns to that city and where signs point to the likelihood of him starting in goal against the Canucks and former goalie partner Roberto Luongo.

“I’m sure it will be a pretty big deal there with what went on for the last year or two years,” said Schneider, who shared the playing time with Luongo. “It really got blown out of proportion. I’m sure they’ll be excited to welcome me back and compare and see what’s going on.

“For me, it’s a great city and a great hockey town. It was a privilege to have played there but I’ve moved on. I’m enjoying my time and teammates here.”

In five seasons, Schneider appeared in 98 games for the Canucks and went 55-26-8. Luongo played 257 games over that period and was 151-70-29.

But a controversy developed when Luongo played poorly in the sixth and seventh games of the 2011 Stanley Cup Finals against the Bruins. Canucks GM Mike Gillis shopped Luongo during the lengthy offseason, but did not trade either goalie.

When the lockout ended last January, Schneider was the starter but was pulled on opening night. Ultimately, Schneider isn’t sure if he was the good guy or bad guy in the eyes of Canucks fans during the ongoing controversy.

“I don’t really know how I was perceived,” Schneider said. “It just seemed that whether it was me or Roberto, people seemed to pick sides, which I never understood because we were teammates.

“We were trying to play well for the team and everyone kind of made it ‘either him or the other guy.’ Both he and I never really understood that. We generally like each other, still get along and have talked to each other up to now. We also supported each other no matter who was playing. Unfortunately not everyone saw it that way.”

Schneider was traded to the Devils on draft day-- June 30—for a first-round pick that was the ninth overall selection. Vancouver took Bo Horvat.

Now comes Schneider’s return in a Devils sweater.

“There’s going to be a lot of attention and coverage,” he said. “I felt I had pretty good relationship there with most of the media. I did my best to answer the questions and be accountable and upright. They were pretty fair to me. They judge you and critique you, and that’s fine.

“That’s part of the job. You have to play well. But that’s one of the things that makes it unique. It was a privilege to play in a Canadian hockey city like that where it’s kind of the big deal in town. You learn to deal with it and you can make it more fun sometimes.

“It will be interesting to be on the other side of it, but at the end of the day it’s another important hockey game for us. We need to win, so all that stuff will be short-lived and we’ll have to get down to playing hockey.”

Martin Brodeur, who said he will lean on Schneider for knowledge of Western Conference teams, admits this will be a difficult trip and will be the first indication of what can be expected of this Devils club.

“Definitely. Western Canada, there are some good hockey teams that we’re not used to seeing,” Brodeur said. “That’s a young team in Edmonton, a new coach in Vancouver, maybe a new style of play in Winnipeg. Who knows? It will be interesting in Calgary. Last year we didn’t have to play against any of these teams, so it’s a little bit of the unknown.”

They know what’s coming in Vancouver.

“It’ll be exciting. I have a lot of fond memories there and a lot of former teammates who are still friends of mine,” Schneider said. “It’s just another game we need to win. Whoever is in the net has to play really well because they’re a good team. You want to compare yourself to some of the elite teams in the other conference, so this will be a big game.”

* * *

Star Ledger LOADED: 10.06.2013

719772 New Jersey Devils

Devils' Pete DeBoer: Three goals should be enough to win

By Rich Chere/The Star-Ledger

on October 04, 2013 at 11:46 PM, updated October 04, 2013 at 11:49 PM

Although the Devils scored three goals in their home opener, they had to settle for one point in their shootout loss to the Islanders.

"Three goals for us should mean a win,” coach Pete DeBoer said.

Forward Patrik Elias felt the Devils took a slight step backwards, even though they were shut out Thursday night in Pittsburgh.

“To be honest, I thought we played a better game in Pittsburgh, especially in the last two periods, than we did the whole game tonight,” Elias said. “We did some good things in the second period and some good things in the third. But, again, we gave them so many opportunities. We have to get that down.”

How did DeBoer feel?

“I probably would agree with that,” the coach said.

He was disapointed with the defensive breakdowns and did some juggling with his defense pairings.

“I didn’t like what we were seeing. We were a little loose defensively tonight. A small byproduct of that is probably the back-to-backs a little bit. At the same time, we have enough of these back-to-backs (this was the first of 22) we have to learn to play a little bit smarter game in these situations because these are going to be critical points moving forward.

“I thought our defensive zone coverage was pretty good. Our neutral zone a little loose and sloppy. It aws pretty good in Pittsburgh, especially in the second and third. It didn’t carry into tonight. Some credit to them. They throw a lot of speed at you.”

Goalie Martin Brodeur agreed.

“A lot of good things we have to build on,” Brodeur said. “Definitely we didn’t play as tight as we’d like in our own zone but offensively we again created good chances. The last two periods in Pittsburgh were pretty good but I thought most of the game today was good. We were looser defensively than we were in Pittsburgh.”

* * *

“I’m sure we’re going to be able to score goals,” DeBoer said. “The guys we have and the chances we created—even in Pittsburgh when we got shut out—we were creating chances. We’re going to score some goals. We have to get some of the other parts of the ice cleaned up.”

* * *

Jaromir Jagr, 41, played in both games of the back-to-backs.

“He didn’t play in any exhibition games. He missed training camp. Tough spot to throw him into. He gave us some good shifts in overtime down the stretch,” DeBoer said.

Star Ledger LOADED: 10.06.2013

719773 New Jersey Devils

Devils couldn't get one past Evgeni Nabokov in shootout

By Rich Chere/The Star-Ledger

on October 04, 2013 at 11:19 PM, updated October 04, 2013 at 11:22 PM

When Damien Brunner, Ryane Clowe, Patrik Elias, Travis Zajac, Michael Ryder and Jaromir Jagr all failed to score in the Devils’ first shootout of the season, coach Pete DeBoer hoped it would continue into a seventh round.

“We still had a few options,” DeBoer said. “There were still some guys who didn’t get a chance to shoot. (Adam) Henrique was the next guy. We have some depth of options. We were hoping someone would end it.”

Someone did, but it was Matt Moulson of the Islanders. The Devils couldn’t get one past goalie Evgeni Nabokov.

“No one could score for some reason,” Ryder said after the 4-3 loss.

Brunner was the first shooter and was stopped.

“I still had time maybe to lift it up. Sometimes when the poke check comes fast you’re not thinking,” Brunner said. “When I shot low I knew it was not going in,” Brunner said.

Elias had the same trouble.

“I made the right move. I had him lying on his stomach,” Elias said. “I just didn’t put it high.”

Star Ledger LOADED: 10.06.2013

719774 New Jersey Devils

: A slimmer, hungrier Martin Brodeur in net; more line changes

By Rich Chere/The Star-Ledger

on October 04, 2013 at 5:10 PM, updated October 04, 2013 at 5:51 PM

Devils coach Pete DeBoer said goalie Martin Brodeur is ready for the team’s home opener against the Islanders.

It will be Brodeur’s 19th consecutive home opener and the coach says he is slimmer and hungrier.

“I think he’s good. He skated this morning and he’s ready,” DeBoer said. “He’s in the best shape I think he’s been in conditioning-wise and weight-wise in a long time. He looks hungry and ready.”

DeBoer wasn’t thrilled by his team’s performance in a 3-0 loss to the Penguins.

“Any coach will tell you this time of year there are a lot of areas you want to clean up,” he said. “To put it in a little box for you: I thought we did some things very well, some areas we were good, the handful of mistakes we made they capitalized on.

“They’re that kind of team and so is the team we’re playing tonight. We have to be prepared for that. You make mistakes against teams with Malkin, Crosby, Tavares it’s going to cost you.”

DeBoer did some line tinkering in Pittsburgh and will shake things up again tonight.

“We’re going to flip some more things around today,” the coach revealed. “We kind of juggled the lines again and we’re going to keep doing that until we get some type of chemistry that we like.”

Travis Zajac won’t be skating on the same line with Jaromir Jagr.

“I thought they had some good moments together,” DeBoer said. “But we didn’t score a goal as a group. There wasn’t one combination there that really blew me away.”

Other than Brodeur instead of Cory Schneider, there will be no other lineup changes for the Devils. Jacob Josefson, Mark Fayne and Mattias Tedenby will be scratches.

The Devils will introduce their new slogan before the game: "We are Jersey."

* * *

Andy Greene will wear the second 'A' in tonight's game. Zajac said he doesn't know if it will be a strict policy where he wears the letter for road games and Greene has it for home games.

Star Ledger LOADED: 10.06.2013

719775 New Jersey Devils

Devils hope to become united during long road trip

Sunday, October 6, 2013

BY TOM GULITTI

STAFF WRITER

Still trying to establish their team identity, the Devils hopped on a flight to Western Canada on Saturday afternoon hoping the road will bring them together on and off the ice.

After not skating Saturday, they’ll practice in Edmonton this afternoon in preparation for Monday’s game there, which begins a five-game trek through Canada.

The Devils also will play in Vancouver on Tuesday (with goaltender Cory Schneider expected to face his former Canucks teammates), Calgary on Friday and Winnipeg next Sunday before returning home for a couple of days and then flying to Ottawa for a game Oct. 17.

Off to a 0-1-1 start – losing 3-0 in Pittsburgh on Thursday and falling, 4-3, in a shootout to the Islanders on Friday night at Prudential Center – the Devils know this will be a pivotal trip for them.

"I think it’s an important road trip for us," said right wing Damien Brunner, who scored two goals Friday. "We’re going to Canada. Obviously, we have to get some wins to set ourselves up for a good season."

Brunner, who signed a two-year contract with the Devils on Sept. 24 after a brief training camp tryout, is one of several new faces on the team. The Devils also added forwards Ryane Clowe, Michael Ryder, Jaromir Jagr and Rostislav Olesz through free agency and traded for Schneider on June 30.

Getting them all to learn and play comfortably within the team’s system might take some time, but perhaps some bonding on the road will help speed that process along.

"It’s a little slow process," said goaltender Martin Brodeur, who is expected to start in Edmonton. "I think everybody wants it to be a fast process. The fact is [there’s] a lot of new players learning a lot of different things about our system and jelling as lines and as teammates, sometimes it takes a little time. … It’s going to be a good team-building thing for us to get on the road and play teams that we can just do our thing and not worry too much about the opposition."

Bergen Record LOADED: 10.06.2013

719776 New Jersey Devils

Devils notes: Goaltender Martin Brodeur on his relationship with Cory Schneider

Saturday, October 5, 2013

The Record— Tom Gulitti

Budding friendship

Devils goaltender Martin Brodeur said his relationship with Cory Schneider, who was acquired from Vancouver on June 30 to be his eventual successor, is still forming.

Because neither dressed for the preseason games the other played in and they often ended up in different practice groups, they didn’t really spend that much time together during training camp.

"I think it’s going to come naturally as we get to know each other," Brodeur said. "I don’t know him. Maybe he doesn’t want me to tell him something about [Sidney] Crosby. Maybe he doesn’t feel comfortable asking me. You get to know the guy and the next thing you know you build a relationship. I just met the guy three weeks ago. These are things that will grow."

New owners drop by

New Devils’ owners Josh Harris and David Blizter dropped the puck for the ceremonial opening faceoff. Harris and Blizter completed the purchase of the team from Jeff Vanderbeek on Aug. 15.

Blitzer wore a No. 30 Brodeur jersey for the ceremonial faceoff.

"I kind of noticed that. I’m going to have to ask for a job," Brodeur joked. "I met one [of the owners] right after the game. They’re just a class act. It’s been a great transition from the old ownership to the new one."

Line juggling

Other than Brodeur in net, the Devils played the same lineup as Thursday, scratching defenseman Mark Fayne, center Jacob Josefson, left wing Rostislav Olesz and right wing Mattias Tedenby (suspected groin strain). Coach Pete DeBoer juggled his line combinations throughout, though.