It would be a first sign of changing times. If the Devils want to make a practice of spelling Martin Brodeur once when they play three in four nights, results will be required.
Their first such attempt this season was less than triumphant last night. Former Devil Bill Guerin scored a power-play goal on Kevin Weekes with 3.7 seconds left in overtime to give the Islanders a 4-3 triumph at Nassau Coliseum .
“It’s tough,” Weekes said. “It would have been nice to at least get to a shootout.”
The Devils had battled back from a two-goal deficit to force OT before Guerin converted Mike Comrie’s rebound for the Isles’ second straight win.
“There aren’t a ton of pretty plays in the league anymore,” said Guerin, who followed up his hat trick Thursday with last night’s winner. “That’s the way the game is played.”
The overtime loss left the Devils 3-4-1 with Thursday’s visit to Madison Square Garden left on their season-opening, nine-game road schedule.
Before last night, Brodeur played in Pittsburgh (5-4 victory Wednesday) and Philly (4-0 loss Thursday), making five straight starts. There are 13 sets of 3-in-4 left, so Weekes would play at least a total of 15 games if it becomes the plan. Brodeur played 78 of 82 games last season, and his play suffered at season’s end.
“I’ll just try to be ready whenever,” said Weekes. “I’m trying to make it easier for Marty and play as well as I can whenever I get the chance.”
Weekes’ previous start for the Devils was a 4-1 victory in Florida on Oct. 6, when Brodeur returned to New Jersey for personal reasons. Brodeur stands 2-4 with a 3.51 goals-against, allowing 16 goals in his last four starts.
Zach Parise gave Weekes a lead before the Islanders put a shot on him, 55 seconds into play.
Josef Vasicek tied the score at 3:31 of the second, eight seconds after an Islanders power play expired.
Only 2:04 later, Satan gave the Isles (5-3-0) the lead, driving the right side around Paul Martin then curling across the goalmouth to slip his first of the year around Weekes.
Jay Pandolfo pulled the Devils within one at 2:22 of the second when his rush shot through the legs of Andy Sutton zipped over the glove of DiPietro, already on his knees.
The Isles had just squandered a four-minute power play when Brian Gionta tied the game, 16 seconds after emerging from the penalty box.
But with Andy Greene in the box, Guerin waited in the left flat for the overtime rebound that came to him with an open side staring him in the face.