Ok, so we weren’t able to get Monday’s Devilscast online due to our old pal, “Technical Difficulties.” He’s the type that only shows up when you don’t want him around, like that neighbor character from the sitcom Empty Nest — you know, the one who played Joe Izusu in those commercials.

Anyhow, 80s pop culture references aside, Brian had an idea last night that at the very least we could dialog back and forth all day today via blog, just to throw some thoughts out there on another spectacular loss at home. It’ll be like “Dueling Banjos”, except without the backdrop of the creepy woods down on the Bayou.

Alright, alright, I’ve fulfilled my tv/film reference quota for today. Now, can someone answer why the Devils have not only lost two straight home games but given back a lead each time? The Montreal mail-in was inexcusable, but at least you could pinpoint a reason (early vacay) even if it wasn’t a good reason. Giving up a second-period lead to the Crosby-less Penguins? Not terrible… as long as you can actually come back and score in response! (P.S. Mike Rupp is the only one we’re letting off the hook for that one). Also, Pittsburgh was without Colby Armstrong, which at worst should have balanced out the lack of Langenbrunner and Pandolfo.

I’ll also throw in that New Jersey has coughed up leads in each of its last 3 home losses, taking into account the Panthers loss on the 18th. After that nice 10-1 stretch at The Rock, the Devils have dropped 4 of 5 there, and that’s not even remotely the kind of momentum you want to see building when they’re basically at home for the next 3 weeks.

Well, hopefully that gets the ball rolling… someone go wake up Monzo and tell him it’s his turn. Except when we have to preview the Rangers game in tomorrow’s Devilscast. Then it’s okay for him to sleep right through it.