Devils discussion (news, notes and speculation) - part II

[Unknown Caller]

Second half/last third of the season and if they should make the playoffs is why this matters.

Those games just aren't played the same. And if you are going 5/6 games without being able to manufacture a goal in the pleasant days of the season, you have no chance when the grind starts. It's a canary in the coalmine.

And we really shouldn't be acting like this is something new... we've watched for years this same core group pile up the chance with often little to nothing to show for it except a *Deserve to Win Meter" graphic and a bunch of charts to make you believe that soft as shit play is going to break through any day now....for the last 6 years.

They won't shoot 1-2% over the long term. This team has shown time and again that they can light up the scoreboard in games. I wouldn't get worked up over a string of games in December where they're converting at a laughably low rate.

 

[JimEIV]

They won't shoot 1-2% over the long term. This team has shown time and again that they can light up the scoreboard in games. I wouldn't get worked up over a string of games in December where they're converting at a laughably low rate.

They can light up the scoreboard when it's easy.

 

[SteveCangialosi123]

The fact they dominated and couldn’t get the W is exactly why I think it’s demoralizing. I agree they played a very good game.

“Demoralizing”? Cmon. When even the head coach that is a perfectionist is happy with how the team played, I think you can relax a little.

 

[Devs3cups]

With yesterday out of the way, I can say I’m happy with Keefe so far this season and I like how the team is playing structurally.

 

[Unknown Caller]

They can light up the scoreboard when it's easy.

So like scoring 6 goals against Florida, 5 against Washington, and 4 against Carolina (and Florida again)?

Then they score 0 against San Jose, St. Louis and Calgary.

More like they can light up the scoreboard when it's hard and can't convert when it's "easy".

 

[TheBeerNerd]

Good God, are we really ready to burn it all down after two losses? This is why I don't post in game threads as they happen- lots of kneejerk reactions without the next day clarity.

First off, this isn't anything new for Marky. From what I hear from Flames fans, he's capable of brilliant saves and frustrating GAs in the same game. You're going to have to take the good with the bad, and that's just how he is. Given the sad state of goaltending this season, I'd take our tandem over a lot of other teams'.

I am sympathetic in questioning Brodeur's judgment. You know how Gretzky crapped out as a coach in Phoenix? It's because you can't teach the kind of talent he has. I think it's the same thing with Marty. Being one of the best goalies in NHL history may mean he sees something others don't, but we simply don't have the staff for our prospects to reach that next level. And Rogalski is his drinking buddy and isn't going anywhere.

Depth is an issue, and so is a scoring winger for Hughes and Bratt (although Palat hasn't been an anchor by any stretch in my eye test). Toughness isn't. At one point, we were only behind Utah for most fights in the league. We definitely have an attitude and edge that just wasn't there for the past couple of years.

We're not going to get goalied like this every game, in much the same way we're not going to have goaltending like that one four-game stretch in October.

It's no wonder why we're worse at home. The fans clam up whenever we get tied up or fall behind. Look at some of these rinks around the NHL. Their fans are always keeping up the energy even in bad circumstances. And the ones that don't are terrible or are currently going through a bad stretch. Guys feed off that energy, whether it's positive or negative. But that's not something that's just gonna be fixed so easily. What I will say is that we have more fans going to games that aren't just the negative angry bottom feeders like Frank the Tank.

 

[Devs3cups]

Good God, are we really ready to burn it all down after two losses? This is why I don't post in game threads as they happen- lots of kneejerk reactions without the next day clarity.

First off, this isn't anything new for Marky. From what I hear from Flames fans, he's capable of brilliant saves and frustrating GAs in the same game. You're going to have to take the good with the bad, and that's just how he is. Given the sad state of goaltending this season, I'd take our tandem over a lot of other teams'.

I am sympathetic in questioning Brodeur's judgment. You know how Gretzky crapped out as a coach in Phoenix? It's because you can't teach the kind of talent he has. I think it's the same thing with Marty. Being one of the best goalies in NHL history may mean he sees something others don't, but we simply don't have the staff for our prospects to reach that next level. And Rogalski is his drinking buddy and isn't going anywhere.

Depth is an issue, and so is a scoring winger for Hughes and Bratt (although Palat hasn't been an anchor by any stretch in my eye test). Toughness isn't. At one point, we were only behind Utah for most fights in the league. We definitely have an attitude and edge that just wasn't there for the past couple of years.

We're not going to get goalied like this every game, in much the same way we're not going to have goaltending like that one four-game stretch in October.

It's no wonder why we're worse at home. The fans clam up whenever we get tied up or fall behind. Look at some of these rinks around the NHL. Their fans are always keeping up the energy even in bad circumstances. And the ones that don't are terrible or are currently going through a bad stretch. Guys feed off that energy, whether it's positive or negative. But that's not something that's just gonna be fixed so easily. What I will say is that we have more fans going to games that aren't just the negative angry bottom feeders like Frank the Tank.

Good post. I agree with most of this. I’m usually a positive poster, and I was very pissed at the result last night, but in no way do I want to change and burn down the team, I like this group and I like how they play. Last night frustrated me because they deserved a better result, and I felt that Markstrom should’ve been able to give the team the final push with the workload he was given. The team played an excellent game last night, and I’m glad they at least got a point out of it!

 

[SteveCangialosi123]

So like scoring 6 goals against Florida, 5 against Washington, and 4 against Carolina (and Florida again)?

Then they score 0 against San Jose, St. Louis and Calgary.

More like they can light up the scoreboard when it's hard and can't convert when it's "easy".

The game was some PP execution away from being a laugher. But we drop it in the 3 on 3 skillz competition and now it’s a big deal.

 

[Unknown Caller]

Good God, are we really ready to burn it all down after two losses? This is why I don't post in game threads as they happen- lots of kneejerk reactions without the next day clarity.

First off, this isn't anything new for Marky. From what I hear from Flames fans, he's capable of brilliant saves and frustrating GAs in the same game. You're going to have to take the good with the bad, and that's just how he is. Given the sad state of goaltending this season, I'd take our tandem over a lot of other teams'.

I am sympathetic in questioning Brodeur's judgment. You know how Gretzky crapped out as a coach in Phoenix? It's because you can't teach the kind of talent he has. I think it's the same thing with Marty. Being one of the best goalies in NHL history may mean he sees something others don't, but we simply don't have the staff for our prospects to reach that next level. And Rogalski is his drinking buddy and isn't going anywhere.

Depth is an issue, and so is a scoring winger for Hughes and Bratt (although Palat hasn't been an anchor by any stretch in my eye test). Toughness isn't. At one point, we were only behind Utah for most fights in the league. We definitely have an attitude and edge that just wasn't there for the past couple of years.

We're not going to get goalied like this every game, in much the same way we're not going to have goaltending like that one four-game stretch in October.

It's no wonder why we're worse at home. The fans clam up whenever we get tied up or fall behind. Look at some of these rinks around the NHL. Their fans are always keeping up the energy even in bad circumstances. And the ones that don't are terrible or are currently going through a bad stretch. Guys feed off that energy, whether it's positive or negative. But that's not something that's just gonna be fixed so easily. What I will say is that we have more fans going to games that aren't just the negative angry bottom feeders like Frank the Tank.

Our home fans have been brutal at times this year. Consistently boo the team during down periods while we're winning tons of games, get vocally obnoxious with our guys when the (league-best) power play is working the puck around to find shooting lanes and won't "shoot the puck", etc.

Then when the refs miss blatant calls and the fans SHOULD be vocal, you can hear a pin drop in the place.

 

[TheBeerNerd]

Good post. I agree with most of this. I’m usually a positive poster, but I was very pissed at the result last night, but in no way do I want to change and burn down the team, I like this group and I like how they play. Last night frustrated me because they deserved a better result, and I felt that Markstrom should’ve been able to give the team the final push with the workload he was given. The team played an excellent game last night, and I’m glad they at least got a point out of it!

Honestly I felt they were gonna lose after the second intermission. I just had that nagging instinct. I had bedtimes to prepare and didn't watch past that, but I did see the replay of that shortie. A point is a point, and they deserved at least one. So just prepare for the next game.

 

[JimEIV]

So like scoring 6 goals against Florida, 5 against Washington, and 4 against Carolina (and Florida again)?

Then they score 0 against San Jose, St. Louis and Calgary.

More like they can light up the scoreboard when it's hard and can't convert when it's "easy".

Nah, those shit teams are playing in 2nd half mode already...they have to. They have to keep every game close to have a chance...

The elite teams are still tiptoeing through the pleasant days of the season doing fun stuff. Soon as the Devils face physical adversity they fold like bitches

 

[NJDevs26]

Honestly I felt they were gonna lose after the second intermission. I just had that nagging instinct. I had bedtimes to prepare and didn't watch past that, but I did see the replay of that shortie. A point is a point, and they deserved at least one. So just prepare for the next game.

I actually didn't have the feeling of doom I'd normally have about a game like last night right up until the clown car that resulted in the goal, because their level of play never dropped despite the frustration. Usually in those type of situations play levels off at some point and the other team gets it going so you can see the eventual letdown coming, but it was sixty minutes of near one way traffic last night. Not to mention Markstrom did actually have two or three good saves earlier in the game...but then Cory 2.0 reared his ugly head.

 

[TheBeerNerd]

Nah, those shit teams are playing in 2nd half mode already...they have to. They have to keep every game close to have a chance...

The elite teams are still tiptoeing through the pleasant days of the season doing fun stuff. Soon as the Devils face physical adversity they fold like bitches

This season could have very easily gone off the rails after that four-game stretch where goaltending was terrible. It didn't. They have a mental toughness that they didn't have last season.

 

[NJDevs26]

Nah, those shit teams are playing in 2nd half mode already...they have to. They have to keep every game close to have a chance...

The elite teams are still tiptoeing through the pleasant days of the season doing fun stuff. Soon as the Devils face physical adversity they fold like bitches

By that standard we're just in tiptoeing mode too...the Devils are like 97% or whatever to make the playoffs on the odds sites.

 

[JimEIV]

By that standard we're in tiptoeing mode too...we're like 97% or whatever to make the playoffs on the odds sites.

I think we'll make the playoffs. Lots of easy points still available. But we'll be short lived unless Fitz does something significant with the roster...As is, the first punch in the mouth and we're done.

 

[JimEIV]

This season could have very easily gone off the rails after that four-game stretch where goaltending was terrible. It didn't. They have a mental toughness that they didn't have last season.

Mental toughness is what people say in the absence of physical toughness.

Meier is useless too.

 

[Billdo]

Mental toughness is what people say in the absence of physical toughness.

Meier is useless too.

Guy gets paid a lot and doesn't show up very often. We've got a whole lot of passengers right now.

 

[Cheddabombs]

I'm in shambles

 

[Better Call Sal]

This place really can be embarrassing when we lose. Somehow the good that the team accomplishes always gets outweighed by the perceived bad that some feel truly engulfs this team. The wins never demonstrate what the team is capable of, only the losses show the ugly roots that (secretly) exist deep down.

I don't know how these takes are coming out after the game they played last night. Is it frustrating to have two straight games where we really can't finish? Of course. But that happens to almost every team over the course of a season. There are always peaks and valleys from a goal scoring perspective. I don't expect that to continue, nor do the statistics back it up to continue. Especially if we play in the manner we played last night.

I have a hard time being concerned about anything after last night. And I recognize the lineup isn't a finished product either. Fitz will make moves eventually, whether it's at the deadline or before it.

 

[SteveCangialosi123]

Timo is at 1.93 points per 60 at even strength. Jack is at 1.89. Scoring 5 on 5 goals at roughly the same rate as Matt Tkachuk, Jesper Bratt, Kirill Kaprizov.

He isn’t on PP1 so the overall points will take a hit. But he’s on one of the more effective lines in the league and doing a pretty good job this year.

 

[Devs3cups]

This place really can be embarrassing when we lose. Somehow the good that the team accomplishes always gets outweighed by the perceived bad that some feel truly engulfs this team. The wins never demonstrate what the team is capable of, only the losses show the ugly roots that (secretly) exist deep down.

I don't know how these takes are coming out after the game they played last night. Is it frustrating to have two straight games where we really can't finish? Of course. But that happens to almost every team over the course of a season. There are always peaks and valleys from a goal scoring perspective. I don't expect that to continue, nor do the statistics back it up to continue. Especially if we play in the manner we played last night.

I have a hard time being concerned about anything after last night. And I recognize the lineup isn't a finished product either. Fitz will make moves eventually, whether it's at the deadline or before it.

Solid post. The result last night definitely sucked and pissed me off. Doesn’t take away from what the team has done this season overall, which is play a food, structured brand of hockey. Something is building here and Keefe has done a good job not only now but for the future of the group. Feels like a foundation is being set.

 

[Better Call Sal]

Yeah, miss me with the Timo being a passenger stuff. If he keeps getting pucks on net at the rate that he is, I don't expect his production to suffer.

 

[Bleedred]

Outside of Buffalo, and I should remember this because I was there, Markstrom did have a really good game against Florida when he played. That was a better game than Buffalo actually.

But he’s been pedestrian so far and his really good game against the Rangers was a game we were winning in almost the entirety of and in blowout fashion.

I’d like to see him not allow a brutal, bullshit, five hole super softy in the final half of the 3rd period. The goalie at the other end was making saves tougher than that.

 

[theoptimist]

This place really can be embarrassing when we lose. Somehow the good that the team accomplishes always gets outweighed by the perceived bad that some feel truly engulfs this team. The wins never demonstrate what the team is capable of, only the losses show the ugly roots that (secretly) exist deep down.

I don't know how these takes are coming out after the game they played last night. Is it frustrating to have two straight games where we really can't finish? Of course. But that happens to almost every team over the course of a season. There are always peaks and valleys from a goal scoring perspective. I don't expect that to continue, nor do the statistics back it up to continue. Especially if we play in the manner we played last night.

I have a hard time being concerned about anything after last night. And I recognize the lineup isn't a finished product either. Fitz will make moves eventually, whether it's at the deadline or before it.

 

[Camille the Eel]

The mantra last year was just give us average goaltending and we will make the playoffs. It seems true. We are getting that and much more responsible team D. And defense really does depend on a team effort.

On our not scoring, a lot of our chances last night had us very deep and trying to jam it past a goalie who was in position and getting defensive support. They were packing it in down low. Colorado did that to us too, especially on the PK.

What’s going to be open then are shots from guys (Hamilton, Bratt, Nico) maybe 20 feet further out and with all that traffic in front. Maybe the puck needs to move back from low to mid-high in order to get net to shoot at.