Devils discussion (news, notes and speculation) - playoff edition

[NjDevsRR]

Playing Hard ≠ Execution

This team has played their ass off. Their not executing because they don’t have enough horses, even when healthy. No kidding the vibes are off and not like 22-23, literally everything has gone wrong this season when everything went right with a more talented group in 22/23.

Friday night was one of the most gutsiest and hard working efforts I have ever seen from a devils team. And its a devils team who is devoid of a lot of complimentary talent everywhere.

 

[guitarguyvic]

You have to be shitting me. You're watching Pesce dig out goals with his stick and then block a shot while clearly already injured and you're thinking 'geez, this guy's just like a robot out there'. You think the Devils are playing unemotionally? Again, look in the mirror.

It’s been better in the playoffs and you have an example of one guy. Ok, guess that settles it.

The goalposts have shifted on all 3 of these players, yeah, it's been doubting all these guys all the time, first it was they can't make the playoffs, now that they make the playoffs 2 out of 3 years, it's that they can't win a Cup, shift shift shift. The problem is not them. It is that the 5th best skater on this team is not good enough and so on down the line.

Nah, you’re taking more nuanced statements about these players and turning them into black and white strawmans.

“The problem” is a common refrain that simplifies things as if there’s only one answer to why things are the way are, and it’s totally independent of anything else. Our depth being putrid has a bigger impact on the success of the team precisely BECAUSE we do not have a mcdavid/drai, kucherov/hedman, mackinnon/makar, Matthews/Marner/Nylander, Eichel/Stone/Pietro etc. on the roster. Even in a series where our best players are the only ones producing, there are 36 other players in the playoffs with better production. The quality of the core has a direct influence on our needs and reliance on depth players. These are not separate independent issues, they are related.

 

[guitarguyvic]

Playing Hard ≠ Execution

This team has played their ass off. Their not executing because they don’t have enough horses, even when healthy. No kidding the vibes are off and not like 22-23, literally everything has gone wrong this season when everything went right with a more talented group in 22/23.

Friday night was one of the most gutsiest and hard working efforts I have ever seen from a devils team. And it’s a devils team who is devoid of a lot of complimentary talent everywhere.

I enjoyed what they did Friday night. It was gutsy. It was hard work. It’s gonna be the most (and probably only) memorable team accomplishment of this season.

But it’s just one game.

We didn’t see that most of the season, even before things happened that could get them down like the major injuries. Hell we didn’t even see it in game 1 of the playoffs.

 

[Richer's Ghost]

You ever have bacon jerky? I would trade anything for a big bag of that stuff.

YES I HAVE AND IT IS HEAVEN

Heaven because it tastes so good and also because it will kill you if you eat it like I did. I haven't gotten it again since because after 2 bourbons (or something else gummy based) I will eat an entire bag.

 

[NjDevsRR]

Edit: I give up

Context is a lost art

 

[BahlDeep]

I don't think it's fair to judge our top 6 production with a lackluster bottom 6.

Our opponents just have to focus on shutting down our top 6.

 

[theoptimist]

A lot more folks joining the “Fire Fitz” crowd and I love to see it. We’re finally unified.

This is the worst team playing in the 2025 playoffs and it’s all Tom Fitzgerald fault, a truly preventable catastrophe. We are a few pieces away from winning the cup, but I will guarantee you it won’t happen with that clown in the executive suite.

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

I just want to know what would "suffice" in this guy's eyes. If they screamed at each other but still lost the exact same way, would that be better?

The notion all along has been "the core isn't good enough", yet the core is carrying around the rest of this broken roster right now. Hell, if we had at least one Hughes, I think we'd be at worst tied 2-2 right now.

I don't understand why its so hard to say "you know what? This core has played well in this series so far, they have impressed me" and just move on. This "THEY NEED TO SHOW EMOTION!" stuff is weird bird behavior.

 

[Devils731]

IMO, the team has shown a ton of heart and grit this series. I’d rather they be winning but I think they can and should be proud of their effort.

No team can overcome the decimation the Devils defense has had in this playoffs but that’s hockey.

The Devils have finished 1 game with 6 defenseman, 2 games with 5 defenseman, and 1 game with 4 defenseman. Multiple defenseman on the team are likely playing well below 100% just to field a lineup; those guys are showing guts and that they care deeply.

In the 3rd game of being short defenseman in a game they went to double overtime and out worked the other team when they had significantly less energy reserves than the opponent. That’s an all-timer game for me because it was all heart to win it.

It’s hard to square an all-timer effort game with a team that just doesn’t care enough.

——————-

Any other team losing their top offensive player, half their defense, and the other half playing pretty hurt and losing would get a pass since they’d be in an almost impossible situation.

The incredibly short handed Devils have had a chance to win 3 out of 4 games. The games haven’t gone the way we wanted but that hasn’t been because of heart or grit and I think anyone questioning that is being silly.

 

[guitarguyvic]

I just want to know what would "suffice" in this guy's eyes. If they screamed at each other but still lost the exact same way, would that be better?

The notion all along has been "the core isn't good enough", yet the core is carrying around the rest of this broken roster right now. Hell, if we had at least one Hughes, I think we'd be at worst tied 2-2 right now.

I don't understand why it’s so hard to say "you know what? This core has played well in this series so far, they have impressed me" and just move on. This "THEY NEED TO SHOW EMOTION!" stuff is weird bird behavior.

They haven’t looked like they’re having fun playing hockey since like mid-December. It’s noteworthy because nothing was really going wrong yet until weeks later. It’s indicative of something being off with this group. That’s it. You don’t have to swoop in to white knight for them and make it sound like it’s some wild hysterical fan demand. You know what’s weird? That’s weird.

Who are you even addressing here? It seems like you’re just mashing together several posters’ different arguments and screaming generalities in response. I know I haven’t said anything about the core not being “good enough”. There’s more nuance to the discussion that goes beyond that or being “impressed” or whatever it is you’re demanding we say.

 

[guitarguyvic]

IMO, the team has shown a ton of heart and grit this series. I’d rather they be winning but I think they can and should be proud of their effort.

No team can overcome the decimation the Devils defense has had in this playoffs but that’s hockey.

The Devils have finished 1 game with 6 defenseman, 2 games with 5 defenseman, and 1 game with 4 defenseman. Multiple defenseman on the team are likely playing well below 100% just to field a lineup; those guys are showing guts and that they care deeply.

In the 3rd game of being short defenseman in a game they went to double overtime and out worked the other team when they had significantly less energy reserves than the opponent. That’s an all-timer game for me because it was all heart to win it.

It’s hard to square an all-timer effort game with a team that just doesn’t care enough.

——————-

Any other team losing their top offensive player, half their defense, and the other half playing pretty hurt and losing would get a pass since they’d be in an almost impossible situation.

The incredibly short handed Devils have had a chance to win 3 out of 4 games. The games haven’t gone the way we wanted but that hasn’t been because of heart or grit and I think anyone questioning that is being silly.

Sigh. I don’t think anyone is saying they don’t care.

 

[JrFischer54]

compete level in the first game no show

second game they fought and tried

third game same thing

4th game the early goal sank them they were on their way to a 6-0 loss until the nico goal and anderson injury. the had a chance to turn it completely around but again no show in the 3rd period which has been their story all season long! that third period was an embarrassment against a backup goalie

 

[AfroThunder396]

Body language? Are you f***ing kidding me?? Do you want them to smile and say "aww shucks" when they lose? This is PK Subban eating dinner levels of discourse.

 

[guitarguyvic]

Body language? Are you f***ing kidding me?? Do you want them to smile and say "aww shucks" when they lose? This is PK Subban eating dinner levels of discourse.

Holy shit. How is this your takeaway from what I said?

I might need to take a sabbatical from this board because too many of you guys literally do not read all the words in a post. It’s f***ing wild.

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

They haven’t looked like they’re having fun playing hockey since like mid-December. It’s noteworthy because nothing was really going wrong yet until weeks later. It’s indicative of something being off with this group. That’s it. You don’t have to swoop in to white knight for them and make it sound like it’s some wild hysterical fan demand. You know what’s weird? That’s weird.

Who are you even addressing here? It seems like you’re just mashing together several posters’ different arguments and screaming generalities in response. I know I haven’t said anything about the core not being “good enough”. There’s more nuance to the discussion that goes beyond that or being “impressed” or whatever it is you’re demanding we say.

I am addressing you if I wasn't clear enough. You've NEVER said the core isn't good enough? You sure about that?

like @Triumph noted, this seems more like a you problem than a team problem. "They don't look like they're having fun" lol what a weird thing to worry about.

 

[Triumph]

It’s been better in the playoffs and you have an example of one guy. Ok, guess that settles it.

Everyone is selling out to block shots.

Nah, you’re taking more nuanced statements about these players and turning them into black and white strawmans.

“The problem” is a common refrain that simplifies things as if there’s only one answer to why things are the way are, and it’s totally independent of anything else. Our depth being putrid has a bigger impact on the success of the team precisely BECAUSE we do not have a mcdavid/drai, kucherov/hedman, mackinnon/makar, Matthews/Marner/Nylander, Eichel/Stone/Pietro etc. on the roster. Even in a series where our best players are the only ones producing, there are 36 other players in the playoffs with better production. The quality of the core has a direct influence on our needs and reliance on depth players. These are not separate independent issues, they are related.

Huh, weird how you keep mentioning two players, and when you get to three things start making more sense. Obviously the Devils' two best players aren't as good as those twosomes, but when you start talking about 3 or 4 player cores, things get much closer. It's when we get to player 5 where things go haywire, and that's where the problem is - they need more average players, and more above-average players.

For what it's also worth, the Devils best 3 players are better than Eichel/Stone/Pietrangelo. You are saying you're taking them over Hischier/J. Hughes/Bratt? Grass is greener ism for sure.

 

[Devils731]

Sigh. I don’t think anyone is saying they don’t care.

only if you’re literally looking for the phrase “they don’t care”. Otherwise you’ve been saying it.

No fire,

very little passion,

Those are obviously saying the guys don’t care enough. You’re being completely disingenuous if you think those statements aren’t saying they don’t care enough

Unless you think guys playing with no passion or fire are commonly thought to care a lot; which would be a crazy thing to think.

 

[guitarguyvic]

compete level in the first game no show

second game they fought and tried

third game same thing

4th game the early goal sank them they were on their way to a 6-0 loss until the nico goal and anderson injury. the had a chance to turn it completely around but again no show in the 3rd period which has been their story all season long! that third period was an embarrassment against a backup goalie

I think there’s merit to the fact that they are really depleted and they just don’t have the overall talent playing to keep up with another playoff team.

But yeah, these sorts of topsy turvy performances have been the norm since Christmas. And apparently it’s completely outrageous that anyone point out how stoic the team has looked all year. Clutch your pearls everyone!

 

[JrFischer54]

ive said the jury is still out on this core. they no show majority of the series they are 0-12 on the powerplay the pk is horrible and there was zero effort in the third period against an injury replacement backup goalie at home with basically the season on the line. sure on paper they have "produced" but that effort yesterday was just lazy imo. markstrom had a bad game and the team needed to bail him out and they didn't

 

[NJDevs26]

If you’re going to slag them over anything yesterday slag them over the first period, that’s where the lack of effort and fire was inexcusable.

 

[Triumph]

I think there’s merit to the fact that they are really depleted and they just don’t have the overall talent playing to keep up with another playoff team.

But yeah, these sorts of topsy turvy performances have been the norm since Christmas. And apparently it’s completely outrageous that anyone point out how stoic the team has looked all year. Clutch your pearls everyone!

No one is outraged, everyone is just confused that you seem to think that the Devils A: aren't having fun out there, you can definitely tell and B: if they aren't having fun, then they just aren't going to win. Again, I put it to you, you watched the Devils from 1995 to 2003 and you implicitly hold up every Devils team now to those teams. Did those teams play 'emotional' hockey?

 

[thebeernerd]

It's foolish to say that the Devils have played like they don't care for a few months. But I've noticed that since that last regular season game against Carolina, they've felt off. I still believe that this team is mentally fragile and doesn't do as well once they get any kind of adversity thrown their way (in this case, the phantom Meier knee). It just snowballs from there. Game 2 onward is the first time I've seen them mentally focused since that time, but it's too little too late.

They've gotten better in this regard under Keefe, but mental improvement from last season is a very low bar. Almost disgracefully low, honestly. This postseason has proven that they can play like this in all 82 games. No excuses now.

 

[MadDevil]

ive said the jury is still out on this core. they no show majority of the series they are 0-12 on the powerplay the pk is horrible and there was zero effort in the third period against an injury replacement backup goalie at home with basically the season on the line. sure on paper they have "produced" but that effort yesterday was just lazy imo. markstrom had a bad game and the team needed to bail him out and they didn't

The core no showed the majority of the series? What f***ing games are you watching?

 

[guitarguyvic]

Everyone is selling out to block shots.

Yeah it’s the playoffs. I think they do care about doing their job and working hard. I don’t think that’s the same thing as genuine enthusiasm and passion. I can be the hardest worker in the office because of my work ethic and values, while still being miserable doing it.

Huh, weird how you keep mentioning two players, and when you get to three things start making more sense. Obviously the Devils' two best players aren't as good as those twosomes, but when you start talking about 3 or 4 player cores, things get much closer. It's when we get to player 5 where things go haywire, and that's where the problem is - they need more average players, and more above-average players.

For what it's also worth, the Devils best 3 players are better than Eichel/Stone/Pietrangelo. You are saying you're taking them over Hischier/J. Hughes/Bratt? Grass is greener ism for sure.

No on is disagreeing that the depth here stinks. What we disagree on is the relationship and impact the core’s quality also has on that.

Yeah Vegas’ trio is starting to reach an age where I’d rather have our guys. But that aside, in a vacuum, no I wouldn’t pick our guys over them.

 

[thebeernerd]

ive said the jury is still out on this core. they no show majority of the series

This is absurd, most of the series this team has been playing their asses off and they're the only guys that have produced points. Jack makes this series 2-2 at the very least. This is the "playoff hockey" style that we've needed since the competitive window opened.