This is the definition of a captain leading by example, what should be massive inspiration for the Devils in Game 7 tonight. The Post has learned that Jamie Langenbrunner underwent knee surgery after Game 2 of this series against the Hurricanes, heroicly returning to the lineup Sunday after missing only three games, promising yesterday “I’ll be better [tonight].”
Langenbrunner would not confirm the surgery, but the tell-tale, later confirmed, was the vampire bite on his knee, the two angry red scabs that proclaim arthroscopic surgery, visible as he talked to the press before and after Game 6 in Raleigh.
Langenbrunner was the least of the Devils’ problems in Sunday’s 4-0 loss, and figures to be part of the solution tonight against Carolina in Newark, New Jersey’s first Game 7 since winning the 2003 Stanley Cup.
“We’ll be better [tonight],” Langenbrunner predicted. Reminded that captains around here make promises, he said, “I’ll be better [tonight],” with rust already shaken off.
In this series of alternating victories, starting with New Jersey’s Game 1 triumph, the Devils are relying on their season’s trademark resiliency, as well as the home-ice advantage they earned with a 106-97 regular-season point differential.
They’re relying on their champion vets and their star kids. Coach Brent Sutter reiterated his demand that Zach Parise and Travis Zajac break out of their three-game point drought, something linemate Langenbrunner will try to ensure.
“What we’re asking from them is for each of them to come up with one game when they play really well,” Sutter said yesterday, a day after saying “they have to fight through things.”
Parise, who led the Devils with 45 regular-season goals and opened this series 3-2-5 in the first three games, was stung by Sutter’s critique.
“We’ll find a way,” Parise promised, almost defiantly. “If it [were] a lack of effort, I could accept that. But I don’t think it is. Travis and I have been playing as hard as we can.”
The longest Parise went without a point in the regular season was these same three games. “I’m due,” he said. “We know we have to be better. We’ve been doing it all season.”
Each time he looks to his right, he’ll see two-Cup Langenbrunner gritting his teeth, doing what playoff players do — play.
“For me, Game 7s, you’re going to remember them. You prepare yourself as well as you can, then you just play hockey — get that pressure off you,” Martin Brodeur said. “Play hockey and talk to [the press] later.”
The Devils are 6-6 all time in Game 7s, 3-1 at home, not losing Game 7 in New Jersey since 1999 to Pittsburgh. But that was the Meadowlands. This is their first time to Game 7 in Newark.
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The Devils reportedly have begun searching for an executive to handle the team’s business operations and allow Lou Lamoriello to concentrate on the hockey operations.