1. Opening the season for 9 straight games on the road.
2. Brand new Arena. (The new arena opens comes to life 3 weeks after season begins)
   
3. Another coaching change. (First year coaching Pro level)
   
4. Injuries. Pandolfo, White (Core players out for extended time)
   
5. Trades. (Devils, gave away some core players, they had through the past 8 seasons)
6. New Captain, first year. (It's tough following in Stevens skates with his leadership)
7. 50% of the defense is new.

Was the season a failure? By no means was it. The Devils opened the 1st month with 4 wins & 7 loses, and ended Nov with 1 game over .500. Not, such bad start for a team with some big changes, as mentioned above. Aye.

There were times when were be questioning if we would even make the play-offs this year, but let's not forget that winning streak and the Devils being 1# in the East for a month+.

So we don't know happened in the home stretch except that they faced divisional rivals for the last 2 weeks of the season and that they struggled against those teams all season. Why did the Devils struggle against their Atlantic foes? We may never know.

Some are questioning Marty's abilities, cause he's about to turn 36 years of age. Has anyone noticed the ages of the Detroit Red Wings netminders? I think their #1and #2 are 42 & 35 with the senior posting a top 3 GAA for the season(2.14). Let's not talk about Marty's age, but maybe the 77 games he played. That's a bit much. Hey, Marty!! If you read this(cool), take a few more games off. Remember Weekes getting a standing O for playing a couple minutes in March so you can get some equipment repaired. Take a break. Your still gonna make the HOF and remain the Devils starter and #1.

Did the Devils have some offensive struggles this year? Kinda yes, but to still finish with being 26th out of 30 in goals allowed with a new defense lead by Larry Robinson is pretty damn good.

Season stats: Goals for & Goals Against.

                       GF         GA

    2007-08:      206         197
    2006-07:      216         201
    2005-06:      242         229

Yup, It takes goals to win and I can't remember how many nights the Devils but a bagel on the scoreboard this year. But they still dominated the East for a good part of the season.

So to all skeptics, thinking that the Devils are done and that their glory days are over. Not even close. As long as the Devils keep on the top of the Eastern Conference. They have as good a chance as anyone else. It was only 5 years between their first cup and second, and it's only been 5 since the last one. There are 30 teams playing for the Trophy of Trophies and it's a battle and a fight to get there every game and every year.

In regard's to the Rangers/Devils and the Play-offs. That series could have gone any direction, but the Rangers got the bounces going the right way, while the Devils were getting the iron, which was just a small fraction away for taking the wins needed to move on. Let's see you make it past the next round and get also get the calls and bounces going your way again.