In Conversation with Chico Resch | 40 YEARS WITH STAN

New Jersey Devils radio analyst Glenn (Chico) Resch knows Devils history as well as anyone, and that includes the contemporary club coached by Lindy Ruff.
With that in mind, I tossed some questions to Resch. His answers to the subject matter follow:

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RATING THE CURRENT CLUB:

"This year's team has grown into the Devils of 'endless possibilities. That's partly because the NHL never has had the level of parity we've seen this season. Except for the 'Beasts Of the East,' the Boston Bruins, all the teams in the playoffs have strengths and weaknesses. These only will be revealed during the challenges and grind of intense playoff hockey."

ABOUT THE DEVILS CHANCES:

"This Devils team has the potential to beat any team and that includes the Boston Bruins. New Jersey has top-end talent that has delivered all season long. Ruff is coaching a team with top-end talent that has delivered over an 82-game marathon. Their third and fourth lines are two of the best in the league. And their defense has exhibited a consistent balance of solid defense with a very special ingredient of offense when needed. This is especially true with Dougie Hamilton working the point on the power play. And as for the goaltending, it has been as consistent as I've seen since the Devils' days of Martin Brodeur in his prime."

WEAKNESSES IN THE LINEUP:

"There isn't such a thing as a 'weakness' as much as it is an unknown. Let's face it, most of these players have not faced the intense hockey that only comes in this Stanley Cup tournament. So, if the question is: how will they perform in this new uncharted territory? The answer is that these playoffs will write the final chapter of this year's team!"