What a week the Prudential Center has seen. On Wednesday, a New Jersey rock legend finally made it to New Jersey’s largest city and during a phenomenal performance shared his affection for the joint with nine flattering words. Jersey’s Team took it from there.
The New Jersey Devils are finally playing the dominant, effective type of hockey that we have all come to recognize and expect. What Newark has just witnessed is our only home team establish their long awaited playoff home advantage in their new building. The team and fans are starting to have some serious fun.
General Manager Lou Lamoriello’s unparalleled franchise-development as well as his deft touch on the trading market, the impeccable leadership of the coaching staff, and the brilliant execution of this exceptional band of players are culminating to reach high gear in the race to be one of the last four teams left competing for the fabled Lord Stanley’s Mug. The events in the Arena this past week sent ripples through the six large banners hanging from the rafters. The three Championship Reminders beckoned for company. The three Retired Players Representations, however, watched the timeless goaltender continue to write his story and realized they’d have to wait a little longer.
As he was celebrating his 40th birthday at the end of the third period Sunday night with another victory over Philadelphia, standing right where Bruce Springsteen was on Wednesday night, Mr. Broduer must have been in a rock star frame of mind with his own disposition of The Prudential Center in Newark:
“This is a good building! This building feels good!”