GDT: Devils @ Panthers 6pm EST (MSG, ESPN+)

[Unknown Caller]

There is going to be a time when you can roll Luke for 30 and then Nemec for 30 in the playoffs and my god I cannot wait to watch the frustration on the other side.

Luke needs to clean his shit up big time before that. I’ll take Dougie for 30 and Nemec for 30 for now.

 

[guitarguyvic]

They definitely outplayed Tampa. They were not the better team tonight. Other than goaltending, tonight is not a performance that you want to try to replicate.

Like I said, I know they didn't control play in today's game. Doesn't matter. That's not the point. There are positive things they did (and against Tampa too) that they should be doing every game, no matter who is in the lineup or whether or not they are being dominated.

 

[Unknown Caller]

Like I said, I know they didn't control play in today's game. Doesn't matter. That's not the point. There are positive things they did (and against Tampa too) that they should be doing every game, no matter who is in the lineup or how good overall they are playing.

Yeah, making saves. They should be doing that every game.

 

[guitarguyvic]

Yeah, making saves. They should be doing that every game.

Well yeah sure that's helpful too.

But you're still not getting the point. That's OK.

 

[billingtons ghost]

They had a lot of breakdowns. They gave up a lot of high danger chances. But they finally got goaltending and they got a ton of help from the iron.

If they got this goaltending all season, they would be at the top of the league. They played way worse today than they normally do.

Nope. Kid made three or four excellent saves and a bunch that every goalie should make.

I disagree we 'had lots of breakdowns'.

There is a difference between defending badly, versus just getting beaten. Give Florida some credit, they worked to get good shots, and it looked more lopsided when they went up a man with pps and pulling the goalie for 3min.

But it wasn't bc of shit defending that they got their chances, and outside of a few by Reinhart, it wasn't like a 2-on-1 or breakaway fest like we are now used to.

I swear you guys have gotten so used to garbage defense that you can't even spot whenv we are doing things correctly.

 

[devilsblood]

We got puck luck in a game we had every right to lose.

But this wasn't us blowing a tire, or having a ridiculous breakdown. You guys want river hockey every game or ugly frigging win at all cost playoff type wins against good teams?

Are you itching for a 7-5 loss to the Blackhawks?

We had multiple PP's in the third where we were on our heels for the entirety.

Multiple mad scrambles in front of out net.

Sure Luke didn't just give the opposing team a glorious chance which ended up a goal against, but we played a much better overall game vs Tampa.

 

[Bone Density]

It was by no means a perfect game but there were positive signs and they battled through, that's all I'm asking for these days. And yes, getting saves played a huge part. If Vitek plays Boston

 

[MasterofGrond]

Lukes has had a rough series of games, which probably makes sense since he's right around his career max (and the NCAA schedule isn't close to as relentless as the NHL). Important learning experience for him. He'll pick it back up.

 

[devilsblood]

It was by no means a perfect game but there were positive signs and they battled through, that's all I'm asking for these days. And yes, getting saves played a huge part. If Vitek plays Boston

No chance Vitek plays vs Boston.

(actually I won't even mention the situation where Vitek plays vs Boston).

 

[PizzaAndPucks]

It’s not just being happy the team won. Everyone is happy they won. It’s a huge win.

But we have a lot of people claiming that they’re playing playoff hockey and playing better than they normally do. It’s not even close to accurate.

You take this win 10/10 times with a depleted roster. But when healthy, this team plays a million times better every night.

Yes but they had plenty of games when they were healthy where they squeeked wins out. The hot powerplay and Jack Hughes carried them at times earlier in the season. They have gotten better as the season went along though which is encouraging. Nemec getting called up to fill in for Dougie has done wonders as everyone has seen.

 

[billingtons ghost]

We had multiple PP's in the third where we were on our heels for the entirety.

Multiple mad scrambles in front of out net.

Sure Luke didn't just give the opposing team a glorious chance which ended up a goal against, but we played a much better overall game vs Tampa.

I won't deny that. I love both these wins.

 

[MasterofGrond]

Besides the win, I'm also glad we saw Vintage Marino tonight. Gonna need more of him before this is over

 

[Oneiro]

Whatever. Luck evened out a little bit tonight.

Keep grinding.

 

[NJDevs26]

And people are acting like we got outplayed by Columbus at home - which has already happened twice lol. Florida is a good team, of course they’re going to get on rolls, especially factoring in game script and our depleted lineup.

 

[devilsblood]

I won't deny that. I love both these wins.

It's definitely nice that we pulled off this win.

I don't think getting dominated in the 3rd is indicative of anything. Not in a Win. So I'm not negative right now.

Game like this is get the W and get the eff out.

 

[palek1019]

Couldn't watch this one but 3/4 points in Florida with the injuries the team has is more than I expected.

 

[Devs3cups]

Lukes has had a rough series of games, which probably makes sense since he's right around his career max (and the NCAA schedule isn't close to as relentless as the NHL). Important learning experience for him. He'll pick it back up.

Absolutely. Part of the process. He's still a positive in my book.

 

[ZachaFlockaFlame]

Lukes has had a rough series of games, which probably makes sense since he's right around his career max (and the NCAA schedule isn't close to as relentless as the NHL). Important learning experience for him. He'll pick it back up.

And it makes what Nemec is doing more special, the norm is the up and downs like Luke is having (obviously more ups) but Nemec has stepped in from the AHL and became this team's best dman

 

[billingtons ghost]

It's definitely nice that we pulled off this win.

I don't think getting dominated in the 3rd is indicative of anything. Not in a Win. So I'm not negative right now.

Game like this is get the W and get the eff out.

That's right baby. I mean look at what's going on here, individually. Bahl has had a monster few games (less so tonight). Nemec was terrific. Both Smith and Miller played exactly the way they need to play. Marino had a few moments looking like last year.

We've got like five fourth liners in the lineup and they all contributed for two games in a row.

Holz Lazar McLeod, Bastian all playing some of their best hockey. Nico battling.

Bratt with maybe his best game this year against Tampa and starting again tonight.

Even Toffoli didn't hurt us.

I just didn't see that many mistakes out there, irrespective of the number of chances or where they were on the ice. And when we are missing regulars that is all I can ask

 

[MadDevil]

That might be the most Devils like empty net goal I've ever seen.

 

[MasterofGrond]

And it makes what Nemec is doing more special, the norm is the up and downs like Luke is having (obviously more ups) but Nemec has stepped in from the AHL and became this team's best dman

I think Nemec benefits a lot from having way more pro experience, which should cushion him a little.

I do expect him to also hit a rough patch at some point. Hopefully after Luke pulls it back together, lol

 

[NJDevs26]

And it makes what Nemec is doing more special, the norm is the up and downs like Luke is having (obviously more ups) but Nemec has stepped in from the AHL and became this team's best dman

Nemec also played 71 games last year, he’s already gone through the rookie wall, Luke hasn’t yet and is approaching a career high in games already.

 

[SteveCangialosi123]

And it makes what Nemec is doing more special, the norm is the up and downs like Luke is having (obviously more ups) but Nemec has stepped in from the AHL and became this team's best dman

Holding it down dragging Brendan Smith’s ass around too

 

[Bleedred]

I thought this was the worst defensive game in a while other than Vancouver.

I mean, we started out good but we hit the snooze button at 3-0.

I did like our start. It was all downhill from there.

 

[Bone Density]

Bahl's game card looks iffy, but I think he's had some real solid moments and games lately. I never thought he could hit that stretch pass to Bratt and he's asserting himself much more physically. He just needs to play a simple game.