The Fifth Liners

The great state of New Jersey maybe have brought us the music of Bruce Springsteen but right now the New Jersey Devils are starting to dwindle! After a glorious period from 1995 to 2003 which included 3 cup wins, the Devils have only been the finals once since in 2012 when they lost in six games to the LA Kings. Last season they finished only 11th in the Eastern conference and the seasons only real highlight was Martin Brodeur being selected for the new NHL 14 cover! Problem with this team is the key elements that them such a threat are either long gone or about to leave, missing are the days of the tough defensive pair of Scott Stevens and Scott Neidermeyer. Right now NJ doesn't have that back line that makes a difference and with Brodeur now 40 and seemingly on the verge of ending his great career, it seems that their fail safe options are thinning out! So should this team look to the future? Well right those options are looking scarce, kid wonder Zach Parise bolted to Minnes...

IThe New York Islanders won an entertaining 4-3 clash against the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center last night which was only decided by a narrow shootout. New Devils recruit Damien Brunner (sorry Mike) gave New Jersey the lead with three minutes gone in the period but 1st star of the game Michael Grabner quickly levelled when he seized on a breakaway to score low underneath Martin Brodeur. Into the second period it was another new Devil who gave the home side the lead when Michael Ryder scored a wrap around to flag up his first NJ goal- but again the lead was soon pegged back when Grabner bagged his second after 13 minutes. The Islanders edged in front after only a minute of the third period when Frans Nielsen scored, but this time it was New Jersey who levelled the scores when Damien Brunner scored his second with only three minutes of the third left to bring the scores to 3-3! The shootout went six rounds without any scores, but finally Matt Moulson used some clever t...

The Detroit Red Wings  announced this week that they've re-signed defenseman Brendan Smith to a two year contract. The big Canadian put up good numbers last season and as a Wings fan, it's good to the team getting things tied up before the training camp starts in less than two months. Rumour has it that Ken Holland wants to get Gustav Nyquist and Joakim Andersson 's contracts sewn up too. No word on Damien Brunner yet who remains one of the best UFAs currently still available. Good news on the injury front though, Darren Helm is back and skating with the team. Albeit not 100% yet.

So, the playoffs might be over and while the Chicago Blackhawks parade the cup around, the rest of the teams get down to trade business. The free agent season starts on July fifth and due to each team being allowed to buy out the contracts of two players before the next season starts; expect to see some big names moving. Here's three of the best players who'll become unrestricted free agents next month and why each would be worth picking up. Damien Brunner Why you would: The Swiss international may only have been Stateside for a year but he's quietly and effectively got on with his job pretty damn well. After signing an entry level contract with the Detroit Red Wings he scored 12 goals in the regular season and 5 in the playoffs. Why you wouldn't: Brunner's agent has said that Brunner wants to stay in Detroit and is happy to sign a lengthy contract. Daniel Brière Why you would: Brière might never have lifted the cup but he's an experienced forward wh...

With the time difference between the US and the UK, it's pretty rare I get to watch a live game so today's game is extra awesome. The Detroit Red Wings headed to Chicago hoping to get a win on the board and equalise the series. The Blackhawks had different ideas and hit the Red Wings like a steam time right from the faceoff. Detroit held off well and soon were bringing the game to Chicago. Even killing off a powerplay after Brendan Smith was caught hooking Marian Hossa. The deadlock was broken after 14 minutes when a superb passing play allowed Patrick Kane to score past Jimmy Howard . Detroit will be disappointed with the goal as it looked like something straight from the training rink. No keeper in the league would have saved it though so Howard can't be too unhappy. Detroit came close while shorthanded after a loose puck escaped in center ice but Corey Crawford made himself big to deny Detroit. The visitors finished the period with the shot advantage b...

Advantage Chicago Blackhawks . The Detroit Red Wings made their first trip to the United Center last night for the first game of the second round. Damien Brunner 's first period goal cancelled out Marian Hossa 's opener and that's how it stayed until eight minutes into the third period when Johnny Oduya and Marcus Kruger scored in quick succession to give the Blackhawks the lead. Patrick Sharp added a fourth with less than a minute to go. Final score 4-1. Nicklas Kronwall was unimpressed with his team's performance: " We know we're a much better team than this. [The] second and third periods [were] not nearly good enough. We know we're better than this and we have to find a way to get better for Game 2." - Geico's quote of the day. It wasn't all plain sailing for Chicago and a few desperate goal line scrambles and clearances were required to keep Detroit out. The boys from Michigan will rue the missed chances and opportunities. C...

The Detroit Red Wings are the team that refuse to lie down. Twice they've gone behind in the series and twice they've gone on to equalise. The Anaheim Ducks made their second playoff journey to the Joe Louis with the advantage after their previous 4-0 win.  Anaheim took the initial advantage with a first period goal from Matt Beleskey . Brendan Smith drew equal for the Wings before David Steckel gave the Ducks the lead again. It took a snapper from Pavel Datsyuk to draw the Wings equal again and force overtime where Damien Brunner was able to guarantee the win for Detroit Next game is tomorrow at Anaheim. 

Last night the Detroit Red Wings evened the score against the Anaheim Ducks to tie the series. It's tough being a Detroit fan, no doubt there was lots of shouting at the TV coming from Michigan. The Wings took an early lead in the first period, netting twice to no reply. After Johan Franzen scored a third, it looked like the Wings had this one in the bag. Then something happened, either Anaheim turned up or Detroit switched off; cos the game was turned on its head. Saku Koivu put the ducks on the board in the second and at the start of the third, the Wings found themselves 4-1 up. Goals by Ryan Getzlaf , Kyle Palmieri and Bobby Ryan brought parity to the proceedings and it was down to Detroit's Gustav Nyquist  to score the winner in overtime. Justin Abdelkader and Damien Brunner also scored for the Wings. The next two games are at the Joe Louis. Anaheim did well to come back from a three goal deficit and will be disappointing to have not taken any...

The Detroit Red Wings welcomed the Phoenix Coyotes to the Joe Louis last night, desperate for two points to keep them in the race for a placeoff place.  Super Swiss Damien Brunner tipped the puck to Johan Franzen to score in the third minute before then scoring himself just before the end of the first period.  Valtteri Filppula added a third goal late in the second period and Franzen stole another in the fourth period.  Jimmy Howard made 34 saves in his fourth shutout of the season. The win puts the Wings one point outside the playoff places with three games left.  Full report  here.