GDT: Devils @ Kings - 6:00 PM - MSG

[britdevil]

come on f*** me

 

[Whaddagoal]

Too fancy. Nico and Jack just shoot the damn shit into the net

Nico this time.

 

[theoptimist]

Calm down folks. We have two generational centers. Haula is a decent third line center. You'll be surprised if you look around the league.

 

[Hisch13r]

Huh? I'm one of the most optimistic posters around here and I say one slightly negative thing and I get replies like that.

I've been overwhelmingly positive about the team this year, I got pissed off after the 1st TBL loss and that losing streak, but other than that I don't see it. Is it cause I said I didn't think they'd score one tonight? Just felt like that kind of game tonight.

You're not allowed to say anything negative around ZBC.

 

[Bleedred]

they absolutely have to bring in a 3C because Haula is cooked. I think if you get that corrected, it will make the lines look a lot better because right now he is cratering them.

I have the utmost confidence he's dumped for whatever in the offseason.

I've been speculating about it for a while, but now it would seem very likely.

If he's still here next year then it means he had a great second half.

Or he's LTIR bound.

He's not a $3+ million player if this is all he is now and we're close enough to the cap.

And he's way easier to dump than Palat or Dougie.

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

Yanni Gourde or Brock Nelson. Get it done Fitz.

 

[DerekDevils30]

What’s our record since our social media team acted like clowns after beating a horrible Rangers team?

I ain’t blaming the social media team for this losing streak but it feels like the boys may have been reading the press clippings a bit too much and resting on laurels coming out of the break. Canes win was good but had many breakdowns. Been too many breakdowns in the 3 games since as well. Just got away from their game.

Now I don’t think this game has been terrible but they’re taking too many shortcuts out there compared to before Christmas. Bleeding high danger chances against it seems.

 

[guitarguyvic]

BRO…again?! You have a clear f***ing lane to shoot from the slot and instead you pass it off to a guy in a worse scoring position.

Wtf?!?!

 

[Dylan9z9]

Too fancy. Nico and Jack just shoot the damn shit into the net

Nico this time.

They would if they could find the back of the net tonight

 

[njdevils1982]

I think so, yes.

Haula is not a youngster.

I was 50% sure he was falling apart in 22-23 when he had 4 goals in 56 games, but he wound up finishing so strong that he almost hit his career averages by season's end.

This time I'm afraid he's probably done.

He may not be THIS bad the rest of the season, but he's probably not a 3rd line anything anymore and you can get 4th liners for way cheaper than what he's making next year.

what's andreas up to these days?

 

[forceten]

It's entirely clear what this team is and what the problem is. It's been evident for a long time. This current version of the team is not winning the Cup without miracle performances from the bottom 6. It is the only problem with the team. With even average depth scoring this team is not just a contender but I'd say one of if not the Cup favorite.

I agree. The top two lines are as good as any in the league, and I really like our defense overall (the Hamilton-Dillon pairing maybe less so.... but hey).

But the bottom 6 is not working. I don't even think we'd have to replace all 6 players, but the chemistry isn't there, the fit isn't there. And we don't have any NHL-caliber centers on either line.

If Haula is on the decline, that's worrisome. Cotter playing 3rd line probably is too high. I'll admit I was bullish on him at the start of the season. But I still like what he brings, but that's more energy line than 3rd line that sometimes is your top scorer here and there.

 

[HugeInTheShire]

I am worried that he's fallen off the cliff. @Guttersniped had some metrics on ages when players generally do - I think he's on the cusp of that?

He needs to go, one way or another

 

[Devilsfan118]

Nico passing that puck is enough for me. How the f*** does he not shoot that, come on.

Have a good night folks, I'm out.

 

[BostonDevil]

Losing in the rare good seasons we have is way more painful.

On the bright side "Living Doll" is the episode on Twilight Zone right now. It's the one where the doll kills Telly Savalas.

 

[Hisch13r]

Calm down folks. We have two generational centers. Haula is a decent third line center. You'll be surprised if you look around the league.

I think Haula should be a decent 3C and in the past I'd say was a good one. He is on pace for 22 pts on the season and has 3 pts since Mischief Night lol

 

[MadDevil]

Apparently the Devils regifted their scoring ability for Christmas.

 

[Mgd31]

Luke you have to get that on net. Jesus

 

[Better Call Sal]

Even if that goal isn't called off 5 goals through 3 games is f***ing pathetic

Small sample size, this being the latter half of a road back to back against the best defensive team in the league. Shit happens over the course of a season. This is a real finishing funk because the bottom 6 has been largely invisible as of late. Fitz already had his finger on the pulse enough to call attention to that in his media availability last month, so I expect him to try and address it sooner rather than later if this continues.

 

[Bleedred]

Yeah, he's 33. Turns 34 in March so this season. Crap. He's also signed for next year.

And I HATED we signed him for 3 years.

It reminded me of when we signed Zubrus for 3 years.

Don't get me wrong, don't misunderstand me. Signing him for 3 years at 32 years old wasn't as bad as signing Zubrus for 3 years at 35 years old. Not to mention that Zubrus may have even made more money per year 10 minutes earlier than Haula.

It just gave me flashbacks and I instantly knew we'd hate that deal by year 3.

 

[Patrik26]

I love the irony with some of the replies here. Very entertaining.

 

[DerekDevils30]

Bottom 6 has been bad for awhile. Top 6 has low key stunk since the break as well. Bad combo at the moment.

And that’ll do it.

 

[Dylan9z9]

Can these guys suck anymore? Ridicules

 

[forceten]

And of course an ENG - because we lead the league in ENG against.

 

[Blender]

Good night.

 

[Whaddagoal]

Luke... That was dumb. Or whomever. Shinpad shot

Team needs to improve their shots and their shot choices and timing.