After the Devils loss to the Flyers this postseason, the team searched for answers to explain yet another first round exit. Jamie Langenbrunner came out to the media, criticizing former coach Jacques Lemaire for his decisions throughout the season. Even Brian Gionta, a former Devil, weighed in with his opinion.

In an article by Star-Ledger beat reporter Rich Chere, Lemaire defended his decisions during the regular season and playoffs this season. There were many things the coach addressed, but I’d like to take a look at a few quotes relating to several posts I’ve wrote about on the blog the past few weeks.

Issue 1: Line Juggling

One of the criticisms leveled at Lemaire this past season was his constant line-juggling. I addressed the coach’s decision to break up the ZZ Pops line, but Lemaire juggled more lines than the ZZ Pops line. Lemaire moved several players around, working for the optimal lineup against a given team. As Lemaire said in the article

“I look at the teams still in the playoffs right now. They match lines. I don’t see why we would be so special that we don’t have to match lines,” Lemaire said.

“As far as switching the players on lines, Scotty Bowman has been known as a great coach and he moved players around a lot. There are a lot of coaches who move players around when things aren’t going well or playing against certain teams. I’ve done it my whole career. I don’t think it’s an issue. It could be an issue if you’re not good enough and you need to play with certain guys to get better. Then, for that particular guy, it would be an issue.”

Hockey coaches have to switch lines. In year’s past, Brent Sutter would use the Devils’ third line to match against the team’s first line. If a coach doesn’t change lines and match up with the other team, they don’t give themselves the optimal lineup out on the ice. But I don’t agree with the constant line-juggling this season. The coach had a dynamite first line, one that could easily lead the team in scoring. They also brought energy and talent to the ice. By breaking them up, Lemaire eliminated one of better scoring lines in the entire league.

When asked about the decision to break up the ZZ Pops line, Lemaire said

“I try to get the best out of players. Sometimes, yes, I did put guys with certain other guys so they play better,” Lemaire said, “but I have to think about the team and what is good for the team. I’m happy with the way I’ve done things. No regrets. I’ve always done this and the success was there.”

I understand Lemaire’s idea here – spread the scoring, maybe allow for some other players to get going. But when the team needed offense or a spark, the ZZ Pops line should have played together. There was no need to continually switch those players around. We all know they played well together, and I believe the line should have been kept together, giving the Devils their best offensive line (and one of the better defensive lines as well).

For the rest of my reaction to the article, continue reading after the jump!

The Albany County Legislature voted Monday night to approve a proposed $1.6 million dollar bond to improve the Times Union Center, which would clear the path for the Devils to move their AHL affiliate back to New York’s capital.

The bond, which included funding for a new scoreboard and rink-side advertising, was approved by a 35-2 vote.

The Devils, in their desire to move their affiliate back to Albany, stipulated that the improvements were necessary to facilitate the move. The Devils, who submitted a letter of intent for a five-year lease, expect to announce the move soon.

The organization’s AHL affiliate played in the Tsongas Arena in Lowell, Massachusetts for the past for seasons, but the lease ends June 30. The Devils’ AHL team played in Albany from 1993-1994 and 2005-2006.

Last season, Albany hosted the Carolina Hurricanes’ AHL affiliate. The team will move to Charlottesville, North Carolina for next season.

The Devils enjoyed a spike in their television ratings this past season, according to a report from Tom Gulitti of the Bergen Record.

Ratings on MSG Plus among viewers 24-54 jumped 78 percent from their totals in 2008-2009. Among all viewers, ratings increased by 48 percent. This was the Devils highest household rating in a decade.

The Devils’ game against the Pittsburgh Penguins on March 12 drew a 1.06 rating, the highest viewership ever for a non-metro New York matchup (the Devils versus the Islanders or Rangers).

Despite the team’s lackluster playoff appearance, the Devils ratings continued to jump. Their television ratings jumped 129 percent from the regular season. Among the 24-54 group, the ratings jumped 170 percent.

The Devils now rank seventh in the NHL for average number of American households.

In an effort to bring you the latest Devils' news and notes from the local media outlets covering the team, we here at Running With The Devils are starting a new feature: The Devils' Sports Page. This daily or every-other-day segment will provide you with links from around the web about the Devils.

It's a little slow right now, so there aren't many links today. But check these out for some more Devils' news:

Ken Hitchcock could be the perfect choice for Devils coach (nj.com)

Devils owner Jeff Vanderbeek focused on ending playoff failures (nj.com)

Devils GM Lou Lamoriello has more on plate besides search for coach (nj.com)

Devils defenseman Andy Greene added to U.S. roster for World Championships (Fire and Ice blog)

Devils’ job still coveted by coaches (The Bergen Record)

Kovalchuk noncommittal about future with Devils (The Bergen Record)

The Devils continued to work on their powerplay during today’s practice, their last before leaving New Jersey for a two-game road trip.

After going 3-for-6 with the man advantage Tuesday night against Columbus, the Devils went 0-for-3 on Thursday night against the Rangers.

The team worked a 4-on-3 powerplay, using Ilya Kovalchuk, Jamie Langenbrunner, Patrik Elias and Zach Parise. They eventually moved to a full ice 5-on-4. The team ended with a 5-on-0 passing drill in the offensive zone.

The Devils left Friday afternoon for Montreal, where they face off against the Canadians (7 p.m., MSG Plus).

Seems like every season that there is a large snow storm to hit NJ the day of a Devils game, it's a guarantee that the announcers that night will mention the famous game between the Calgary Flames and New Jersey Devils back in 1987. 334 fans braved the weather and 20+ inches of snow to watch the Devils beat the Flames 7-5.Can you imagine a rink with only 334 fans watching the game? The stadium seemed empty last night and there were of 5,000 that showed up.

The Devils are doing an online chat with Ken Daneyko, today at 2pm EST. You can follow the chat right here and ask Ken your questions.