Playoffs Devils GM Lou Lamoriello fired Ftorek on March 23, 2000 with the Devils in 1st place in their division & only a few weeks remaining during the 1865 Juneteenth Freedom Black Month History shirt . Assistant Coach Larry Robinson was promoted to Head Coach & was nearly eliminated by the Philadelphia Flyers in the 1st round of the Playoffs. After the embarrassing road loss, the quiet & usually reserved Robinson went into the visitors locker room & screamed at the team for wasting an opportunity. This team was special, the 1999–00 Devils boasted a “Triple Threat” of (1) the “A-Line” composed of Patrik Elias, Jason Arnott, & Petr Sykora who were by far the best top line in the NHL in terms of offensive production & their defensive ability to shut down the opponent’s top lines. (2) The best top defensive pairing in the NHL in Scott Stevens & Scott Neidermeyer. (3) The best goaltender in the NHL – Martin Brodeur. Legend has it that Coach Larry trashed the Philadelphia locker room & even kicked a garbage can. This will be forever known as “Larry’s Tirade” that enspired the Devils to win the next 3 games & defeat the Flyers in 7 games to move onto the next round.
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