How badly do you think Dana White is sweating about his job security heading into the UFC 95 odds?

Sorry – WAY off topic. Thinking ahead to the weekend. Let me rephrase that question:

How badly to you think the New Jersey Devils wish the playoffs started today? Some hockey betting fans think they’re the top Stanley Cup odds contender now. Can you argue against them considering the Devils dethroned San Jose on the weekend?

I can’t believe I’m about to utter these words, online betting fans…

Martin. Brodeur’s. Return. Could. Be. The. Worst. Thing. To. Happen. To. The. Devils. This. Season.

We’ve all heard it before…if you read Bill Simmons, you know about the “Patrick Ewing theory” — when a team overcompensates and plays better without its star and mentally “relaxes” once he returns. I can’t help but think Martin Brodeur’s return will put the Devils in more serious Ewing-theory jeopardy than any sports team in recent memory.

Scott Clemmensen is still playing quite well, the offense is rolling, with two effective scoring lines…I’d bet at the sportsbook that Brodeur’s return will at least screw things up temporarily. If New Jersey can readjust to Marty, though…they’ll win the Eastern final and qualify for Stanley Cup betting.

Enough serious talk. If you’re a hockey fan, this video, upon which I just stumbled (don’t ask), has to make you nostalgic for the NHL’s early 1990s heyday.