GDT: Devils @ Canucks - 10:30 PM - MSG

[longislanddevil]

Third Eye Blind told us to do this in 1997. Why can’t we all just listen, my friend?

 

[Hisch13r]

Palat should be playing on a line with two offensively-skilled players that don't like to put effort on D. So Hughes and Bratt are a good match. Playing him with 4th liners is a waste, he doesn't really create offense on his own.

The idea that Jack and Bratt don’t put in effort defensively is braindead.

 

[Bad Goalie]

Foote with 6 points in 6 games.

But yeah. Team is 0-7. 13 gf's vs 29 ga's.

Instead of a "like", I meant to give you a "thumbs down". Yes, he has 6 points. He can score when he has the puck in a danger zone and doesn't get challenged. His play outside of those few brief moments when he shows up on the score sheet are not team friendly.

He is the biggest guy out there for the Comes and the least likely to use his size for anything. He was groomed to be a power forward and he is more like a powder puff forward. He constantly handles the puck with his head down and turns right into a defender who either knocks him down or off the puck. He can't stick handle and his passing is less then adequate.

His defensive coverage is stand and hope, reach and miss, empty stick sweep, lunge and miss at a guy going by, loses board battles in both ends.

He acts as if he needs to stay healthy (which he has never done for a season) so he's ready for his re-call. If he pops a few in on the PP and his missed attempts provide a rebound goal that he picks up an assist on he ends up with a good PPG and doesn't get hurt. He has done this down here since the '21-22 season and still got hurt.

He has had 4 camps with the devils that resulted in his demotion to the farm. The way he is currently playing(?) he is running out of time and losing value on the trading block or being grabbed in free agency for anything more than an AHL roster filler.

 

[devilsfan950003]

Dowling really surprised me tonight. He absolutely did not look out of placeIts

I know it's only one game, but could Downling be the 4th-line center solution? Lazar is a better winger than pivot.

 

[Brooklyndevil]

Just finished the game.

Obviously the best game of the season.

They’ve played their best hockey in the last 4 games, losses even included. They’ve looked like a team that’s finally starting to click as a full squad.

Aside from the production, I don’t think people around the league really appreciate how good Nico is at everything. On that Meier goal, he wins the battle to the puck in the defensive zone, skates it up, drops to Meier, and then stick checks Meyers long enough to clear a shooting lane for Meier. Just a total pro.

Kudos to Nico. Right now he’s playing at a top 5 player in the league, if not top 3. The guy is a 200 ft., player who’s playing an elite level.

 

[New Jersey Devils]

Dowling really surprised me tonight. He absolutely did not look out of place.

I couldn't believe when I looked him up that he's 34. Just seemed to play bigger and faster than he seems.

 

[Mgd31]

I know it's only one game, but could Downling be the 4th-line center solution? Lazar is a better winger than pivot.

Probably not, but I just looked him up and had no idea he had 20 points in 101 NHL games. Did not think he played that many games in the NHL or had that many points.

 

[My3Sons]

Walk up at 4 30 AM and watched the game in my hotel in Rome. Got to catch the 2nd and 3rd period. Glad I got to start my day off with a Devils win before my long journey home.

It's crazy how the shots were 22 to 20 but the Devils pretty much dominated the Canucks all game.

I don't know what the rest of your schedule looks like, but if you are in Rome, go to Trastevere and have a sandwich from Donkey Punch. It was one of my favorite places for lunch while we were in Rome. Man that was fun. I'd go back in a heartbeat.

 

[Richer's Ghost]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1851841287370035650

I firmly believe Nico hated Ruff and is now spreading his wings since he is free of him

Think about it - Ruff just let the Hughes Inc. model do whatever and there was no discipline for anything really. Keefe has already been more critical at sloppy play (like calling out the 3rd period last game). If you're a defensive minded forward trying to get everyone playing defense first and jump into the attack when you're not doing so high risk like Nico plays you love the change.

Keefe has praised Nico's play and work ethic more than I can recall Ruff doing in sum total. I think I've also seen Nico smile more already than he did under Ruff.

Nico's smiles are like the Waffle House Weather Index

 

[Whaddagoal]

Think about it - Ruff just let the Hughes Inc. model do whatever and there was no discipline for anything really. Keefe has already been more critical at sloppy play (like calling out the 3rd period last game). If you're a defensive minded forward trying to get everyone playing defense first and jump into the attack when you're not doing so high risk like Nico plays you love the change.

Keefe has praised Nico's play and work ethic more than I can recall Ruff doing in sum total. I think I've also seen Nico smile more already than he did under Ruff.

Nico's smiles are like the Waffle House Weather Index

Nico seems to be a perfect fit with Keefe.

Now some long standing and also recent claims that Nico hated ruff (@Emperoreddy)..... I don't completelty buy it, but I can see if Ruffs system forced Nico to play more 'defensive janitor' in situations, and not generate as much offense because he had to trail the play up the ice, I can see some effect.

Honestly, I truly mostly think Nico just found another gear of play since about January/February 2024 (MetLife game). He was also killing it right around Ruff was getting canned, and proceeded to take the team on his shoulders and play strong. Look at his game logs since Jan 2024 onwards, particularly end of Jan. Lot of 2 and 3 points games sprinkled in there. And just from memory I felt he was beasting to end that season.

Nico Hischier 2023-24 Game Log | Hockey-Reference.com

Gamelogs for Nico Hischier for 2023-24

www.hockey-reference.com

Maybe ruffs system was more of a factor than Ruff himself.

I do think Nico looks a hell of a lot happier so maybe there is a little bit of all of it together.

 

[Whaddagoal]

Probably not, but I just looked him up and had no idea he had 20 points in 101 NHL games. Did not think he played that many games in the NHL or had that many points.

He's a lot faster than I'd expect him to be at 34 years old. That's the thing that stood out, the tenacity/speed he was forechcecking (or moving the puck) with.

 

[Jason MacIsaac]

The idea that Jack and Bratt don’t put in effort defensively is braindead.

They aren't putting themselves in defensive positions without the puck or thinking defense or taking the safe option when exiting the zone. No stat will tell you this but it is as obvious as day when watching.

 

[My3Sons]

So I fall asleep during the second intermission and when I wake up this morning I see that Hishcier had a terrible game at 5 on 5 if you just look at the advanced stats? Not really terrible because small sample sizes are skewed but still it made little sense. I presume it was all in the third period when NJ was comfortably ahead and score effects led to being outshot somewhat. But holy cow take a look at his PK numbers. He was 50% in Fenwich, and he had 2 shots for and only 1 against while he was on the ice for the PK. He was also on ice for the only high danger chance on the PK. He was 50% in expected goals on the pk. That's crazy. Mercer had a similar advanced stat line on the pk. What a night for those two guys.

 

[Hisch13r]

So I fall asleep during the second intermission and when I wake up this morning I see that Hishcier had a terrible game at 5 on 5 if you just look at the advanced stats? Not really terrible because small sample sizes are skewed but still it made little sense. I presume it was all in the third period when NJ was comfortably ahead and score effects led to being outshot somewhat. But holy cow take a look at his PK numbers. He was 50% in Fenwich, and he had 2 shots for and only 1 against while he was on the ice for the PK. He was also on ice for the only high danger chance on the PK. He was 50% in expected goals on the pk. That's crazy. Mercer had a similar advanced stat line on the pk. What a night for those two guys.

Nah they didn’t have great 5v5 numbers throughout the night. If anything I think in the numbers ticked up in the 3rd lol.

I also wouldn’t say the numbers paint a terrible picture. 5v5 SVA he had a 52% CF, 73% SF, 60% SCF, and 52% HDCF. It’s only the xG where he ends up below water with a 38%. I think that’s more like a decent to solid night than terrible

 

[MVP Zacha]

What a great game. I honestly didn't think Nico had another level, but this is just amazing so far this season. Absolute stud.
Jack is looking like he is putting all together again. He is flat out amazing when he is buzzing.
Luke and Pesce is one of the best pairings on D the Devils have had in a long time. Pesce is so steady on the back end that it allows Luke to do his thing and I am all for it. What a weapon Luke is going to be.

 

[Billdo]

Foote with 6 points in 6 games.

But yeah. Team is 0-7. 13 gf's vs 29 ga's.

Every club has at least a handful of guys exactly like Foote, he's nothing that moves the needle.

We were legit that good.

Best defensive game in two years, easily. Crisp passing, beautiful boardwork. Looked like an actual hockey team rather than a bunch of super talented kids playing pond hockey.

I don't remember hearing Jt miller, Petterson or Boeser's name all night bc they were tightly checked. Only Quinn went a little Niedermayer on us, and we were on the PK alot but that was as comfortable and inspiring a win as we've had in years.

More please.

Petterson has been horrific.

 

[HughesCorporation]

just watched those beautiful 3 hrs on tape, the stars came out to shine last night Q had the nico face and nico had a smile

 

[swissexpert]

Nico seems to be a perfect fit with Keefe.

Now some long standing and also recent claims that Nico hated ruff (@Emperoreddy)..... I don't completelty buy it, but I can see if Ruffs system forced Nico to play more 'defensive janitor' in situations, and not generate as much offense because he had to trail the play up the ice, I can see some effect.

Honestly, I truly mostly think Nico just found another gear of play since about January/February 2024 (MetLife game). He was also killing it right around Ruff was getting canned, and proceeded to take the team on his shoulders and play strong. Look at his game logs since Jan 2024 onwards, particularly end of Jan. Lot of 2 and 3 points games sprinkled in there. And just from memory I felt he was beasting to end that season.

Nico Hischier 2023-24 Game Log | Hockey-Reference.com

Gamelogs for Nico Hischier for 2023-24

www.hockey-reference.com

Maybe ruffs system was more of a factor than Ruff himself.

I do think Nico looks a hell of a lot happier so maybe there is a little bit of all of it together.

Yeah I remember that as well, it's not just this year, he found that 2nd gear already in late January.
Since the season was a desaster, the individual performance got a little bit lost.

Nico scored 56 pts in 49 games since then, good for 8th in the league.
Centers above him?
McDavid, Draisaitl, MacKinnon, Matthews, that's it.

Kind of amazing how he does that, while being a defensive stud.

 

[Speyer]

Think about it - Ruff just let the Hughes Inc. model do whatever and there was no discipline for anything really. Keefe has already been more critical at sloppy play (like calling out the 3rd period last game). If you're a defensive minded forward trying to get everyone playing defense first and jump into the attack when you're not doing so high risk like Nico plays you love the change.

Keefe has praised Nico's play and work ethic more than I can recall Ruff doing in sum total. I think I've also seen Nico smile more already than he did under Ruff.

Nico's smiles are like the Waffle House Weather Index

Ruff always gave me grand maester pycelle vibes in his interviews. A real dinosaur that only still has a job because the NHL is such an old boys club. Good to see that the Devils seem to have a much more competent coach now.

 

[Dialamo]

Petterson has been horrific.

It's crazy. He looked like a bonefide superstar at times and pretty much everyone put him above Nico. Oh how the tides have turned!

I don't know if his knee injury is still affecting him, or if it's mental issues like some Canuck fans were speculating about.

 

[Hisch13r]

It's crazy. He looked like a bonefide superstar at times and pretty much everyone put him above Nico. Oh how the tides have turned!

I don't know if his knee injury is still affecting him, or if it's mental issues like some Canuck fans were speculating about.

I mean he averaged 95 pts over the last 2 years with strong defense. I’m not going to put much stock into 9 games.

 

[Dialamo]

I mean he averaged 95 pts over the last 2 years with strong defense. I’m not going to put much stock into 9 games.

Good point, but some Nucks fans seem worried as they say his play has been poor for a longer stretch than 9 games. His playoffs and I think the last 20ish games of the season were pretty mid. I think he was on an absolute tear to start the season where he got most of his points. (This is all from memory I may be wrong, unable to verify now) There's still plenty of time for him to turn it around.

 

[My3Sons]

I mean he averaged 95 pts over the last 2 years with strong defense. I’m not going to put much stock into 9 games.

Oh please, this is a what have you done for me lately sport. All that matters is last night's game and today's social media. Why let reason get in the way of a good character assassination?

 

[glenwo2]

They aren't putting themselves in defensive positions without the puck or thinking defense or taking the safe option when exiting the zone. No stat will tell you this but it is as obvious as day when watching.

Did Keefe ever mention this in his postgame interview?

 

[Speyer]

Good point, but some Nucks fans seem worried as they say his play has been poor for a longer stretch than 9 games. His playoffs and I think the last 20ish games of the season were pretty mid. I think he was on an absolute tear to start the season where he got most of his points. (This is all from memory I may be wrong, unable to verify now) There's still plenty of time for him to turn it around.

Apparently he has scored ONE even stregth goal since last march. And his 5 on 5 production has generally been very pedestrian since late 2023. So its definitely more than just a bad phase.