Goose EGGs for Devils Top Line

The New Jersey Devils first line of Patrik Elias, Scott Gomez and Brian Gionta -- a.k.a. the "EGG" line (clever, isn't it?) -- was dominant in the first game of their Eastern Conference Quarterfinal series against the Tampa Bay Lightning. The trio combined for two goals and four assists, and the Devils won, 5-3.

In the two games since, however, none of the three has scored a goal (a pair of powerplay assists are all they've managed), and Jersey has dropped consecutive 3-2 decisions. It would be an understatement to say that much more is expected from a line made up of All-Star caliber players, each of whom has a 30-goal/80-point season on his resume.

Then again, maybe we shouldn't be all that surprised by the lack of production. As the N.Y. Post's Denis Gorman points out:

Following last season's remarkable success (the trio combined for 97 goals, 121 assists and 218 points), it was expected that the EGG line could become one of the league's most dominant. This season,they have been merely pedestrian, totaling 59 goals, 115 assists and 174 points.

Don't look to injuries as an excuse for the reduced production either -- while the three missed a combined 37 games this season, they missed 44 games a season ago (all Elias, for what it's worth).

Now the Devils find themselves down 2-1 with their top line not producing. And while the second line of Jamie Langenbrunner, Travis Zajac and Zach Parise keeps delivering (three goals, three assists on the four Jersey goals in Games Two and Three), without more offense from the top line, New Jersey is likely dead in the water.