Post-Game Talk: Devils beat Isles 2-1 (No Points for you, Isles....or Rangers!)

[MadDevil]

They didn't look as rusty as I thought they might. They got caught napping on the Hamonic goal, but that's probably just because they're out of practice. Marty looked solid. The defense had it's moments of scrambling around, but I liked what I saw with them helping out offensively. The forwards all played pretty well too. Hell, even Janssen looked decent tonight.

 

[elias026]

2 things that are not big deals but We need to shoot more we had alot of open chances to shoot but tried to force a pass, It not a big thing because its the first game.
Second I think Teddy should stay with Elias for as long as possible because they always seem to have a spark and i think Elias will help Teddy Confidence by talking with him on the bench and on the ice

 

[Scott04]

They still looked a little rusty a bit with things that you know will be fixed with a few more games under their belts, namely in terms of things like making more crisp passes on the rush or in the zone. But nothing that would be of concern. First period was pretty slow for both teams, but the level of play was much better from there on out. It definitely looked like it was the first game after a long layoff with virtually no pre-season, but the movement, positioning (in most cases), and energy of the team was great. Definitely encouraging as the team looks capable of hitting the ground running. Having the two days before the next game may play a big role in this team getting off to a fast start.

 

[NJDevs26]

I really want to see Larsson get a regular spot too. I think it would help his confidence as well.

With how bad Volch was tonight, they might as well just healthy scratch him until someone goes down (and even then I'd prefer Harrold over him). He can't even be the inverse MA Bergeron anymore - instead of PP specialist, Volch was supposed to be a PK specialist. I'd rather waste the money than waste Larsson's potential and sit someone better.

 

[Chessarmy]

Very good start to the season, I thought everyone played fine for game 1 and Marty in particular stood out as the MVP for NJ. I think Brodeur is going to put together yet another great season for us. I try to enjoy watching him play and not take it for granted, because there's only 1 more year left for him

I absolutely love the depth we have at defense. Yea, we may not have a superstar number 1 back there, but we have 3 solid pairings which allows Pete to spread out the minutes and keep everyone fresh. The best part - trading a D only allows Larsson or Harrold to step in, this depth is going to do wonders for us.

On to game 2

 

[SteveCangialosi123]

Larsson in for Volchenkov makes them so much more dynamic at the blue line. Volchenkov is just not very good and shouldn't be in there stunting the growth of Larsson. The team looked really good. With the addition of a forward and Larsson inserted this will be a good good team. Also I couldn't be more impressed with Matteau. He's gonna be a solid NHL player you can tell already

 

[Mgd31]

He had some great chances, threw his weight around and was working the cycle well. But, ultimately, he won't stay because he's too slow.

Heheh

 

[BrodeursCups]

Words cannot express how crucial it was that we locked up TZ. He is so ****ing valuable to this club.

 

[JerseySideOfTheRiver]

anyone have a link to this msg commercial? they didnt have the commercials on gamecenter live

 

[Bleedred]

Wow Marty was great tonight. This was as good of an opener I've seen him play since probably in 08 against the Islanders, which was the last time we won the first game of the season. It's also the first time he's given up less than 3 goals in the season opener since 08. He wasn't tested incredibly much for long points during the game, and I thought that could be his downfall, but he did make some big stops, and that glove stop on the PK late in the game is something he's usually prone to giving up in an opener. His rebound control also wasn't as bad as I remember from the last few openers either.

It was a good game defensively. The PK needs some work. I just don't wanna give up a PP goal every game especially since most games you're gonna give up some even strength goals. The Isles had a top 5 PP last year though I believe. There were a lot of statues on that PP goal. No chance for Marty. The PP looked really bad, but it could be gelling to the new system. There were some head scratchers though like Bernier on the PP with 30 seconds left in it? Tallinder had a pretty good game, Zidlicky had an okay game, First line was decent, second wasn't too bad. Nabokov made some big stops too, but we controlled possession for the most part.

 

[Bleedred]

Also Tedenby, had a good game tonight, but that early sequence is what I'm talking about. The lack of finish on that partial breakaway, and I saw much of that last season when he was up. That's my biggest issue with him for sure. It looked like it hit the glass, but on hockey night live they kept making out like Nabby stopped it. I don't think he did. This was a constant problem with Tedenby last year. He would get the best chances, but shoot high or wide.

Other than that he did get a point tonight on Clarkson's goal so I can't get on him too much.

 

[kiwidevil]

Also Tedenby, had a good game tonight, but that early sequence is what I'm talking about. The lack of finish on that partial breakaway, and I saw much of that last season when he was up. That's my biggest issue with him for sure. It looked like it hit the glass, but on hockey night live they kept making out like Nabby stopped it. I don't think he did. This was a constant problem with Tedenby last year. He would get the best chances, but shoot high or wide.

Other than that he did get a point tonight on Clarkson's goal so I can't get on him too much.

He did plenty more than that too. He was cycling really well and some good back checks. Drew another penalty too. The best thing about it was that his line looked to have the most chemistry. He could finally be in a situation he can excel.

 

[MVP Zacha]

2 things that are not big deals but We need to shoot more we had alot of open chances to shoot but tried to force a pass, It not a big thing because its the first game.
Second I think Teddy should stay with Elias for as long as possible because they always seem to have a spark and i think Elias will help Teddy Confidence by talking with him on the bench and on the ice

Elias has made his linemates look better his entire career. I sure hope they keep offering him a contract for as long as he wants to play. When Henrique gets back I'd love to see him center a line with Elias and Teddy. Move Clarkson back to 3rd line with Yayo and Butler maybe? CBGB as the 4th and send Janssen to the pressbox.

 

[rrekaj13]

Elias has made his linemates look better his entire career. I sure hope they keep offering him a contract for as long as he wants to play. When Henrique gets back I'd love to see him center a line with Elias and Teddy. Move Clarkson back to 3rd line with Yayo and Butler maybe? CBGB as the 4th and send Janssen to the pressbox.

From TG's:“I thought he was outstanding,†Elias said of Tedenby. “He created three great opportunities offensively and defensively he was solid. He backed me up a few times when I went on the forecheck and he was the first guy back. A great job by him there.â€

If he can play like that at a relatively consistent rate, we're golden.

 

[Tretyak 20]

Words cannot express how crucial it was that we locked up TZ. He is so ****ing valuable to this club.

Maaassive overpayment, brah. Not like he could score a goal while shutting down Tavares.

 

[njdevils1982]

From TG's:“I thought he was outstanding,†Elias said of Tedenby. “He created three great opportunities offensively and defensively he was solid. He backed me up a few times when I went on the forecheck and he was the first guy back. A great job by him there.â€

If he can play like that at a relatively consistent rate, we're golden.

teddy was moving nice....looked confident on the puck. its a positive at least.

 

[Desert Devil]

Words cannot express how crucial it was that we locked up TZ. He is so ****ing valuable to this club.

Yes sir.

Sweet dish by Koby too.

 

[Bleedred]

He did plenty more than that too. He was cycling really well and some good back checks. Drew another penalty too. The best thing about it was that his line looked to have the most chemistry. He could finally be in a situation he can excel.

I thought he did well. He just needs to finish on those opportunities. It wasn't his defense that bothered me as much as his lack of finish. I'm not talking tonight, I mean in the past.

 

[BrodeursCups]

Yes sir.

Sweet dish by Koby too.

That saucer was filthy. This group of forwards will round out nicely once AH returns. Going to be interesting to see what they do with Matts, because he's very close to being ready..

 

[Bleedred]

LOL Boulton was on the ice for the Zajac goal! Some things never change. Like Boulton being good for a shift a game of being on the ice for a goal against!

Matteau looked good, and even had a nice shift early with Janssen.

 

[TheUnseenHand]

I do think Nabakov got a piece of Teddy's backhander.

 

[Semak]

I do think Nabakov got a piece of Teddy's backhander.

Neither did I, but the replay was terrible and hard to determine. The camera angle cut off anything past the crossbar.

 

[kiwidevil]

I so thought that was in. Such a great move to open the net.

 

[Emperoreddy]

Tedenby is effective enough offensively to be a good player. If only he could learn the defensive side of the puck. He still hasn't seemed to learn how to play back there. He still looks lost.

What most impressed me about the game tonight was how well the Devils as a team executed their system in all three zones. Some guys had lapses in concentration but the game as a whole wasn't nearly as sloppy as I thought it would be.

I think that is going to be the key. Pete has a system that seems to work even without some of the most talented guys. Everyone says they like playing in it, it bugs the crap out of other teams, and seems to help everyone out. Think this will be a big reason we stay afloat until the cavalry arrives in Henrique and hopefully another forward via trade.

Obviously one game, but it does lead to some interesting decisions for Lou if Matteu continues to impress and Tedy finally finds his legs. Obviously a trade will still be made, but it becomes interesting. Obviously still very early and lets see what Tuesday brings. I'm going to stay seated on the optimism train though.

 

[Emperoreddy]

Wow Marty was great tonight. This was as good of an opener I've seen him play since probably in 08 against the Islanders, which was the last time we won the first game of the season. It's also the first time he's given up less than 3 goals in the season opener since 08. He wasn't tested incredibly much for long points during the game, and I thought that could be his downfall, but he did make some big stops, and that glove stop on the PK late in the game is something he's usually prone to giving up in an opener. His rebound control also wasn't as bad as I remember from the last few openers either.

It was a good game defensively. The PK needs some work. I just don't wanna give up a PP goal every game especially since most games you're gonna give up some even strength goals. The Isles had a top 5 PP last year though I believe. There were a lot of statues on that PP goal. No chance for Marty. The PP looked really bad, but it could be gelling to the new system. There were some head scratchers though like Bernier on the PP with 30 seconds left in it? Tallinder had a pretty good game, Zidlicky had an okay game, First line was decent, second wasn't too bad. Nabokov made some big stops too, but we controlled possession for the most part.

YES Marty looked really really good. This fact alone gives me the greatest hope we can do something. Strong Marty makes up a lot. I only saw the play and the replays in the 1st with Tedy, and I was stuck with the Islanders feed so they weren't to keen to replay it to much, but it did seem Nabokov got some piece of that. Let us wait and see, if Tedy keeps getting opportunities like that he should start burying some.