GDT: Devils @ Blue Jackets - Jingle All the Way - 7:00 PM - MSG

[guitarguyvic]

No but my point is that the bottom 6 needs to be better. They need to chip goals in more because if our top 6 doesn't show up is when we have these games where we get shutout or chasing the game because we still struggle to score the first goal.

Yes, in the playoffs the top guys are gonna get shut down a few times. These guys have to chip in for the team to go far. If they were chipping in now we’d be competing for the presidents trophy.

 

[Whaddagoal]

Team needs some more forward depth to take some of the pressure off of Jack, Bratt and Nico. Mercer has been a huge weak link on the Hischier line over the past dozen or so games, Haula and Tatar both look cooked.

Mercer is the weakest link on that line, but he does bring some good elements. He needs to figure out how to get his shot into the net. Number one.

 

[Hisch13r]

I just don't think that line works. Him and Cotter don't mesh.

Even during a game like tonight where the team completely tilts the ice they wind up under 50% xG lol. Haula had a 99% without Cotter

 

[guitarguyvic]

Cotter is a fourth liner who can play up when there are injuries. He needs to be moved down and we need to find another option in his spot.

 

[Whaddagoal]

I actually like the way Keefe only blenders the lines for specific, very specific overloading purposes. And uses it in a controlled fashion.

Like every onec and awhile he will get the 3 guns all together. Jack, Bratt, Nico..... When he really wants to control the ozone. Tonight that extended to Luke and Dougie. First time we saw that one. Throw in Meier on the 6 on 5 or palat and you got a tough ozone pressure overload

 

[dgibb10]

I actually like the way Keefe only blenders the lines for specific, very specific overloading purposes. And uses it in a controlled fashion.

Like every onec and awhile he will get the 3 guns all together. Jack, Bratt, Nico..... When he really wants to control the ozone. Tonight that extended to Luke and Dougie. First time we saw that one. Throw in Meier on the 6 on 5 or palat and you got a tough ozone pressure overload

Luke+Dougie was used a lot last year as well.

Obviously we haven't needed it as much since we've been winning a lot more but it's a great tool to have

 

[guitarguyvic]

Heaven forbid we get an injury in our top six. That’s the main worry about the lack of depth in the regular season right now. We could be in big trouble if that happens.

Goddamn it how I wish we it was Holtz that went in the trade for Meier instead of Zetterlund, and in hindsight the Toffoli trade never happened at all. This roster would be killer with Zets on the third line.

 

[Hisch13r]

Mercer is the weakest link on that line, but he does bring some good elements. He needs to figure out how to get his shot into the net. Number one.

It just doesn’t really make sense to have Mercer on that line when the 3rd line gets cooked regardless of if it’s Mercer or Noesen on that line (they were better with Mercer too). The Nico line with Noesen was one of the best lines in the league. With Mercer it’s like “fine” but fine is nowhere near good enough for a line with Timo and Nico on it

 

[Camille the Eel]

Why is it that some fans can’t help but chalk up like 90% of losses to “effort”? Do you actually believe that Luke didn’t make the correct shot location choice because he didn’t have a maximum desire to score? How do you even objectively determine something like this, is there some “effort” or “desire” meter that’s visible to you people?

When you dominate every single category of the game except goals, that’s literally the epitome of effort without execution.

Not lack of effort - lack of concentration and a higher level of focus and determination to score.

We can finish our chances better. Finishing is a skill that happens in the moment and if we had needed this game more and wanted to score more desperately early I believe we would have won this game.

Our focus wasn’t the best defensively either early on. Just a breakdown here or there. We lost this game in the first period.

 

[Richer's Ghost]

17% of the time they screw you every time.

 

[dgibb10]

Didn't catch the game but from what I'm hearing another certified Luke Hughes masterclass?

 

[Lou Bloom]

Mercer is the weakest link on that line, but he does bring some good elements. He needs to figure out how to get his shot into the net. Number one.

I had hope at the start of the year where he was playing well but he's reverted back to his play from last season. The problem with Mercer is that he's not a good skater, not physical enough to win board battles or be a net front threat and not skilled enough to create offense for Nico or Meier. Even on the PK he doesn't win board battles and doesn't cover enough ground to really be effective defensively. I'd definitely being looking to move him for a player that can effectively play with Nico and Timo and allow that line to thrive again.

 

[guitarguyvic]

Not lack of effort - lack of concentration and a higher level of focus and determination to score.

We can finish our chances better. Finishing is a skill that happens in the moment and if we had needed this game more and wanted to score more desperately early I believe we would have won this game.

Our focus wasn’t the best defensively either early on. Just a breakdown here or there. We lost this game in the first period.

I mean…how much more focus and determination do you want overall? This team’s best players have been carrying the load most games, you can’t expect the “focus and determination” to be flawless every game. Other players in the bottom six, back end, and the goalie need execute in these types of games.

 

[dgibb10]

57 shot attempts for with Luke on is legitimately mind boggling. In 1 game.

Apparently he also created some breakaways?

 

[jkrdevil]

Heaven forbid we get an injury in our top six. That’s the main worry about the lack of depth in the regular season right now. We could be in big trouble if that happens.

Goddamn it how I wish we it was Holtz that went in the trade for Meier instead of Zetterlund, and in hindsight the Toffoli trade never happened at all. This roster would be killer with Zets on the third line.

An injury happens then they are probably pressed to make a deal. Otherwise it’s a deadline move.

 

[Whaddagoal]

It just doesn’t really make sense to have Mercer on that line when the 3rd line gets cooked regardless of if it’s Mercer or Noesen on that line (they were better with Mercer too). The Nico line with Noesen was one of the best lines in the league. With Mercer it’s like “fine” but fine is nowhere near good enough for a line with Timo and Nico on it

I'm coming around to that as well. Wish Noesen had a bit more speed but it works.

 

[Emperoreddy]

Fitz will figure something out. Zero reason to force anything right now

 

[HBK27]

Broken. He and Cotter got assists tonight.

Not according to the NHL.com box score...or Yahoo fantasy for that matter.

 

[Whaddagoal]

I had hope at the start of the year where he was playing well but he's reverted back to his play from last season. The problem with Mercer is that he's not a good skater, not physical enough to win board battles or be a net front threat and not skilled enough to create offense for Nico or Meier. Even on the PK he doesn't win board battles and doesn't cover enough ground to really be effective defensively. I'd definitely being looking to move him for a player that can effectively play with Nico and Timo and allow that line to thrive again.

Don't want to get rid of mercer, though. Too early for that kind of end game. If next year middle of season we are saying the same things, I'll be open to the thought.

I do agree with your assessment otherwise though!

 

[dgibb10]

Fitz will figure something out. Zero reason to force anything right now

Force Tom Fitzgerald to extend luke hughes today before he costs more than Juan Soto

 

[Hisch13r]

I'm coming around to that as well. Wish Noesen had a bit more speed but it works.

I’d like to know the honest truth behind the swap because the way I see it there’s a marginal difference between Mercer/Noesen on the 3rd like and a worlds difference on the Nico line.

 

[Lou Bloom]

It just doesn’t really make sense to have Mercer on that line when the 3rd line gets cooked regardless of if it’s Mercer or Noesen on that line (they were better with Mercer too). The Nico line with Noesen was one of the best lines in the league. With Mercer it’s like “fine” but fine is nowhere near good enough for a line with Timo and Nico on it

Yeah, at least Noesen is a high end finisher and net front threat, his game works well with players that can drive play (like Nico and Meier) since that is a weakness in his game. Mercer though just doesn't really add anything to that line, he's too slow to get loose pucks, not physical enough to win puck battles and not skilled enough to drive offense. Either way I think a quality forward or two is a must before the TDL.

 

[Guttersniped]

I seriously don’t think Lazar vs Dowling makes any type of substantial impact at all.

I don’t think it’s helpful that Nico is getting McLeod-level defensive starts and defensive FOs.

Nico gets thrown in for offensive face-offs too, but he has more defensive FOs than offensive ones.

It’s even more ridiculous for Meier, who’s getting buried in defensive starts/FOs. You don’t pay a guy 8.5m to play on checking line. Mercer is also getting brutal defensive minutes.

Unfortunately Haula is sketchy, and Dowling is sheltered in terms of starts, so the Nico line gets shit duty.

I would mind the lack of production from the bottom six less if we had a shutdown line that was taking a meaningful share of the defensive duty, but that’s not what we have.

Lazar doesn’t help a ton because his minutes are limited but Dowling is very sheltered.

 

[dgibb10]

I don’t think it’s helpful that Nico is getting McLeod-level defensive starts and defensive FOs.

Nico gets thrown in for offensive face-offs too, but he has more defensive FOs than offensive ones.

It’s even more ridiculous for Meier, who’s getting buried in defensive starts/FOs. You don’t pay a guy 8.5m to play on checking line. Mercer is also getting brutal defensive minutes.

Unfortunately Haula is sketchy, and Dowling is sheltered in terms of starts, so the Nico line gets shit duty.

I would mind the lack of production from the bottom six less if we had a shutdown line that was taking a meaningful share of the defensive duty, but that’s not what we have.

Lazar doesn’t help a ton because his minutes are limited but Dowling is very sheltered.

By god is that Jake Evans' music I hear

 

[Iron Balls McGinty]

I don’t know if I say it’s a lack or desperation or urgency but I do agree this was as much a lack of finishing as Elvis. Like the Jack chance in the 2nd where he puts it right into Elvis glove or Luke’s chance at the start of the 3rd where he has the entire net besides Elvis pad and shoots it right into Elvis pad. That isn’t getting goalie’d. That’s throwing away your grade A++++ chances

Maybe a couple of not finished opportunities. I was a the game tonight and I think Elvis alone robbed Jack of a hat trick just by being lucky and making moves that many of the Columbus fans see him not make a lot of times.

NJ otherwise dominated this game. Elvis stood on his head and bailed them out many times. On to the next.

I'm coming to NJ next week after Christmas and will be attending the Hurricanes game. Looking forward to seeing a NJ win that night at the Rock.