Devils team discussion (news, notes and speculation) - part VI

[Better Call Sal]

They gave up, what, 3 2 on 1s? I don't remember any breakaways. Giving up 2 on 1s is bad, but as long as they're defended well they're not outrageously high scoring opportunities.

It's never going to be 2003 again, hopefully.

And I think they all occurred in the first period.

After the Aho point blank glove save in the 2nd, I think the Canes only had one strong chance that Vitek had to come up huge on. The second half of the game was as well executed of a defensive game plan that I can remember in this age of hockey.

 

[OmNomNom]

I just realized this and it's blowing my mind.

The Devils best season ever was 2000-2001 where they were 48-19-12-3 for 111 pts.
The Devils are currently 44-16-6 for 94 pts.

They need to go 9-7-0 (or any combination of 18 pts) in the last 16 games for this to be the best regular season in team history.


HWAT.

Also, Saturday in Montreal was a lot of fun. Also drove home to go to the game last night. I am still tired... but me, the wife, and our friend made it on HabsFanTV.

Fast forward to six minutes to see us.

nice shout by your wife and the other lady on line roulette haha, so true

 

[Triumph]

And I think they all occurred in the first period.

After the Aho point blank glove save in the 2nd, I think the Canes only had one strong chance that Vitek had to come up huge on. The second half of the game was as well executed of a defensive game plan that I can remember in this age of hockey.

I think the Canes kinda packed it in after the 2nd - they had played the night before too and 3-0 is a tall order - but the Devils certainly helped that along by playing strong defensive hockey. There just wasn't any open ice for Carolina in that third.

The Devils led the league in 2011-12 with 1.9 xGA/60 at 5v5. They're 6th in the league this year with 2.43 xGA/60. Powerplay scoring is also way up. It's a different (and better) league.

 

[Camille the Eel]

And I think they all occurred in the first period.

After the Aho point blank glove save in the 2nd, I think the Canes only had one strong chance that Vitek had to come up huge on. The second half of the game was as well executed of a defensive game plan that I can remember in this age of hockey.

Right on. But we also have to remember the number of glorious looks that Carolina had in the first 35 minutes or so. That post that Jarvis hit short side in the 1st with Vitek down and Jarvis going over his shoulder. If they score there it’s 2 - 1 and maybe they have some momentum.

Vitek was the difference in keeping them down and eventually out of the game. But Brindemour (spelling?) was correct in saying they generated plenty of chances. They are the proverbial snake bit club that can’t score a goal to save their lives right now.

So the difference was Vitek playing his best game in ages while Kotchetkov wet the bed on all three of our scores.

But we had our chances to go up even more too. Our second power play - the one in the 2d period where Hischier missed on two great chances, was brilliant. Our power play is looking better than it has at any time in the past 3 or 4 years now. Both units actually. Kochetkov made a highway robbery save on Mercer on the 2d period too. We then go out and play our best third period of the season.

So a Great win in our biggest game since the Hall season. But we still can learn from it and clean up some things.

 

[njdevil26]

It’s like you married the board! (In the sense you have someone to bitch about the lines with at home…)

Well funny you say that, we met each other in 2009 on NJDevs.com so I DID marry the boards.

I applaud the blond haired woman (didn't want to assume that was your wife lol) for saying that Lindy's been fine but doesn't deserve the credit considering he still manages to piss this fanbase off with his lineup moves lol

Haha that’s our friend. She’s passionate.

 

[NjDevsRR]

I just realized this and it's blowing my mind.

The Devils best season ever was 2000-2001 where they were 48-19-12-3 for 111 pts.
The Devils are currently 44-16-6 for 94 pts.

They need to go 9-7-0 (or any combination of 18 pts) in the last 16 games for this to be the best regular season in team history.


HWAT.

 

[billingtons ghost]

did we watch the same game....?

that was the best game defensively they played in a long time.

We played well defensively and then had massive breakdowns with guys wide open in front of the net. VV had his best game in a very long time. We got exceptional goaltending else that could have been four or five against easily. Those breakdowns were mainly bc the Canes are good as opposed to us being bad, but that's what we will see in the east.

The shots we allowed early on were from the outside and gave him a chance to get into a groove, but we have the Canes plenty of chances and when they didn't miss the net or get the shot blocked VV was awesome.

 

[billingtons ghost]

I just realized this and it's blowing my mind.

The Devils best season ever was 2000-2001 where they were 48-19-12-3 for 111 pts.
The Devils are currently 44-16-6 for 94 pts.

They need to go 9-7-0 (or any combination of 18 pts) in the last 16 games for this to be the best regular season in team history.


HWAT.

Also, Saturday in Montreal was a lot of fun. Also drove home to go to the game last night. I am still tired... but me, the wife, and our friend made it on HabsFanTV.

Fast forward to six minutes to see us.

Dude, you guys are an awesome interview. You've got my vote to represent our fanbase anytime.

 

[Emperoreddy]

And I think they all occurred in the first period.

After the Aho point blank glove save in the 2nd, I think the Canes only had one strong chance that Vitek had to come up huge on. The second half of the game was as well executed of a defensive game plan that I can remember in this age of hockey.

The ones we did give up were well defended too. Siegs played one really well I recall.

 

[JimEIV]

I just realized this and it's blowing my mind.

The Devils best season ever was 2000-2001 where they were 48-19-12-3 for 111 pts.
The Devils are currently 44-16-6 for 94 pts.

They need to go 9-7-0 (or any combination of 18 pts) in the last 16 games for this to be the best regular season in team history.


HWAT.

Also, Saturday in Montreal was a lot of fun. Also drove home to go to the game last night. I am still tired... but me, the wife, and our friend made it on HabsFanTV.

Fast forward to six minutes to see us.

Truth bombs.

"There is no way the Devils are not better than the Rangers right now "

 

[Guttersniped]

Do you want to take our best offensive line and make them a shutdown line?

Maybe that works against Montreal and one line teams like EDM, but I sure don't know what line you would match up against when we play any of the top teams in the east.


I was thinking of our 'too many men' penalties too.

Ironically for the OP, the fourth line with McLeod is Ruffs matchup line of choice, so....

None of our lines really have that true shutdown player, much less full line of defensively capable guys. Bratt is on the 3rd line to counterbalance his deficiencies.

The 4th line really isn’t, Nico’s line gets more minutes vs the top line.

McLeod ends up matching a lot for face-off purposes, but that doesn’t always get his whole line out.

We haven’t used our 3rd pair as shutdown line but the Palat-Haula-Boqvist line has real potential for that and has been doing that more and more.

The Hughes line often matches up with the other teams checking line because that’s what they send out against them.

The defensive pairs are matched much more aggressively. Graves and Marino are very much a shutdown pair with that specific job.

 

[JimEIV]

And I think they all occurred in the first period.

After the Aho point blank glove save in the 2nd, I think the Canes only had one strong chance that Vitek had to come up huge on. The second half of the game was as well executed of a defensive game plan that I can remember in this age of hockey.

I thought the first 10 or so minutes were incredibly sloppy. It was like unbridled exuberance that needed to settle down.

The effort was 100% there but the execution was just off to start the game.

I do think the Devils need to clean some things up before the playoffs start. They did an amazing job in the second half of the game battening down the hatches but I fear those little glitches we still see from time to time will kill us in the playoffs.

Next 16 games needs to be about acclimating Meier and cleaning up the overall game...that's plenty of time.

 

[PizzaAndPucks]

I thought the first 10 or so minutes were incredibly sloppy. It was like unbridled exuberance that needed to settle down.

The effort was 100% there but the execution was just off to start the game.

I do think the Devils need to clean some things up before the playoffs start. They did an amazing job in the second half of the game battening down the hatches but I fear those little glitches we still see from time to time will kill us in the playoffs.

The game moves so fast that mistakes and bad bounces will burn the best of them time to time. We are 4th best in the league at GAA even if it somehow doesn't really feel like it at times.

 

[billingtons ghost]

And I think they all occurred in the first period.

After the Aho point blank glove save in the 2nd, I think the Canes only had one strong chance that Vitek had to come up huge on. The second half of the game was as well executed of a defensive game plan that I can remember in this age of hockey.

Yeah this is true. The first period is where it seemed like they were getting some really amazing chances. That glove save was bonkers.

He had to be good throughout though. There were some deflections and scrambles and we did have a bit of puck luck here and there.

Like I said, the Cane skaters played a pretty good game too...

 

[JimEIV]

The game moves so fast that mistakes and bad bounces will burn the best of them time to time. We are 4th best in the league at GAA even if it somehow doesn't really feel like it at times.

Bad bounces will always happen can't do anything about that...

Mistakes have levels...and there are some mistakes that just should not be happening this time of year or as you get closer to the playoffs.

Edit: and I wouldn't hang my hat on regular season achievements once the playoffs start. This team has never played a game when the margins have been as tight as most playoff games are.

 

[Richer's Ghost]

Reservations made. Club level tickets secured. NJ @ CHI Apr 1st. Alright alright alright. This will be my 2nd time seeing the Devils play in Chicago - the last was when Johnny Cakes Madden was still playing for them and I'll be wearing his jersey again with pride to endear myself with the locals while my son attends his first NHL game wearing a Scott Stevens #4 youth jersey.

Cannot wait.

If anyone else happens to be in the area or going shoot me a DM and let's see if an HF connection can be made. Timeline is tight driving in from central MN that morning but who knows. Always time to grab a pizza right?

 

[Nubmer6]

I thought the first 10 or so minutes were incredibly sloppy. It was like unbridled exuberance that needed to settle down.

The effort was 100% there but the execution was just off to start the game.

I wouldn't say incredibly, but there were a few incidents. I suppose it's better than coming out flat.

 

[Emperoreddy]

Yeah this is true. The first period is where it seemed like they were getting some really amazing chances. That glove save was bonkers.

He had to be good throughout though. There were some deflections and scrambles and we did have a bit of puck luck here and there.

Like I said, the Cane skaters played a pretty good game too...

It's to be expected. They are a top possession team, maybe the best in the league.

If they had a superstar finisher they would win a cup right now

 

[ZachaFlockaFlame]

View attachment 668777

Reservations made. Club level tickets secured. NJ @ CHI Apr 1st. Alright alright alright. This will be my 2nd time seeing the Devils play in Chicago - the last was when Johnny Cakes Madden was still playing for them and I'll be wearing his jersey again with pride to endear myself with the locals while my son attends his first NHL game wearing a Scott Stevens #4 youth jersey.

Cannot wait.

If anyone else happens to be in the area or going shoot me a DM and let's see if an HF connection can be made. Timeline is tight driving in from central MN that morning but who knows. Always time to grab a pizza right?

You mean a casserole in Chicago?

They gave up, what, 3 2 on 1s? I don't remember any breakaways. Giving up 2 on 1s is bad, but as long as they're defended well they're not outrageously high scoring opportunities.

It's never going to be 2003 again, hopefully.

Yesterday's game was playoff esque for Carolina, they had a ton of quantity chances and a ton of quality chances that they had no elite finisher at the end of. Then our superstar had 3 points and broke the game for us. Just proof you can't go anywhere in this sport without a superstar talent or elite finisher on your roster. Granted, Svech was out for them but still. Aho got robbed point blank by Vanecek and that's probably the first person you want on the end of a scoring chance if you're Carolina in yesterday's game.

 

[glenwo2]

Can't wait for this Mini-Playoff with Tampa to start.

Also can't wait for the Devils to play Florida.

Devils owe Tkachuk an asskicking for what he did to Nico.

 

[britdevil]

For your viewing pleasure, it's the Chico Take on Me video.

You can excuse my bearded friend for singing along.

Isn’t this just fantastic.

What an absolute beauty. Love this guy.

The mask is a homage to Marty right?

I love this dude.

 

[Jersey Fan 12]

i know it's not the only factor, but if he wants out, it would be made difficult, considering his gf is native New Jerseyan - just taking a personal perspective imo. but that aside, where the heck would he want to go? out west, further from Sweden?

we're literally the 2nd best team in the NHL - i'd hope he's not dumb enough to want out, and i agree w you - i doubt fitz is lowballing. i think his agent is really being a hardass and doing his job. i think it'll get done though

Small, highly-skilled offensive player with limits defensively? Might fit in well with the Dolan Circus.

And wouldn't have to move.

 

[glenwo2]

Small, highly-skilled offensive player with limits defensively? Might fit in well with the Dolan Circus.

And wouldn't have to move.

You really love insulting Devils players, don't you? (Bratt as a RAG is the insult here)

In another thread :

Meier is just as careless and irresponsible defensively as his linemates.

Tell us how you really feel, buddy.

 

[StevenToddIves]

It's to be expected. They are a top possession team, maybe the best in the league.

If they had a superstar finisher they would win a cup right now

Carolina is a talented team, but they're probably the only NHL contender who got appreciably worse at the deadline. I'm not sure what they're thinking over there, because anyone who knows hockey can see they need a #2 center but they're still deluding themselves that Jesperi Kotkaniemi is anything more than a checking liner. The Gostisbehere deal was, well... so awful it has to be considered funny. He's essentially a power play specialist you need to constantly shelter at 5x5 so that his frighteningly weak defensive game does not get exposed. Puljujarvi is a decent player, and that was a solid add, but we're not talking an impact player by any means.

Again, I was baffled by the Carolina deadline. I strongly feel if they added a 2C like Ryan O'Reilly or Bo Horvat, then a Bertuzzi-type for the top 6 and a defenseman who actually plays defense -- well, it might've been enough to be one of the top 2 or 3 teams in the league. But now I can't see them beating the Rangers or Devils in a 7 game series.

So no, Carolina is not a finisher away from a cup. I'd say they're a defenseman, a top 6 winger and a 2nd line center away from being better than the Rangers or Devils, much less the Bruins or Lightning. Don't get me wrong, the Hurricanes are still dangerous -- they're extremely well-coached, they have a solid bottom 6, some star power at the top of the line-up, and one of the best top 4 Ds in the league. But this is a team with just 4 top 6 forwards (Aho, Svechnikov, Teravainen, Necas while Jarvis is still getting there), and probably the worst 3rd D pairing in the Eastern Conference playoff picture. They have a 3rd line F playing on the top unit in Puljujarvi, and a center who is maybe as good as McLeod or Haula centering their 2nd line. It's tough to see them getting out of a brutal Metro division in this year's post-season.

I've watched a lot of Carolina this year, as they were the team which scared me most in the division. I think they live and die by their foremost strength, which is that Slavin/Burns/Pesce/Skjei is as good of a top 4 D as you'll find anywhere in the league. But I have to wonder about who is making the decisions in that front office which really hurt the team's chances at the trade deadline while pretty much every other Eastern contender improved remarkably.

 

[glenwo2]