2005 record: 46-27-9 (101 points)
2005 offense rank: 22nd (2.84 goals per game)
2005 defense rank: 9th (2.74 goals allowed per game)
Key Additions: C Mike Rupp
Key Losses: C Viktor Kozlov, D Ken Klee, D Tommy Albelin
Overview: After finishing the 2005 season with a 46-27-9 record and losing to the eventual champion Carolina Hurricanes in the Eastern Conference semifinals, the New Jersey Devils had a rather quiet offseason and instead chose to keep the core of their roster in tact. The biggest move they made was re-signing superstar LW Patrik Elias, who is a legitimate 40-goal scorer. C Scott Gomez is one of the league's premier centers (33 goals, 51 assists) and RW Brian Gionta exploded last season scoring 48 goals; he also got a new deal. The Devils have always relied on defense first, but that philosophy has caused the team some grief with the new NHL rules that promote speed and mobility. The Devils’ defenders were often exposed as slow and immobile, and the Devils must now retool their defensive corps. Brian Rafalski has been the backbone of the Devils' defense, while Paul Martin is emerging as a force to be reckoned with on the blue line. G Martin Brodeur remains one of the top goalies in the league, but his numbers have suffered a bit with the shaky protection in front of him. Even with all the turmoil on the blue line, Brodeur managed to win 40 games once again last season. As long as Brodeur is in net for the Devils, they can never be counted out.
WagerWeb.com odds: +1000 to win the Stanley Cup
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Players to Watch: LW Elias was signed to a big contract in the offseason, and it's time for him to show he’s worth it. RW Jamie Langenbrunner was third on the team with 53 points and needs to pick up his goal scoring (19 goals in 2005). Brodeur is now 34, and many sports betting fans are wondering how long he can keep up his stellar play. Gionta’s ability to duplicate his 48-goal season could make or break the Devils.
Outlook: New Jersey won the Atlantic Division on the basis of a tiebreaker and finished ahead of the third-place Rangers by a single point. The difference between entering the playoffs as the division champion and as the division’s third-place team is huge, and the Devils know there is no room to let up. Many sports betting fans are predicting another Atlantic Division championship for the Devils this season, and many sportsbooks have New Jersey listed as one of the top five favorites to win the Stanley Cup.
