GDT: Devils vs. Sabres - Match up Shenanigans

[MasterofGrond]

Luke has basically just existed out there. The numbers are bad (not far off the teams numbers though) but that's due to them getting nothing going offensively at all. Defensively his numbers look fine and I think he's mostly been fine.

agreed. The whole team is failing to generate offense tonight (despite 3 goals).

Hardly been a liability going the other way, though.

 

[Billdo]

This team looks horrific yet we're up two. Go figure.

 

[Dylan9z9]

"Don't want to break up the powerplay chemistry"

The 2nd unit sucks though you aren't breaking up a good thing there if you put Luke there

I would have put NJ the masot on that 2nd PP

 

[My3Sons]

The advanced stats looked bad again that period. Hopefully the ice evens out a bit in the third.

 

[Its Always Sundstrom]

I willing to give Spuds the benefit of the doubt and he was tongue in cheeking it.

 

[Devs3cups]

Luke has basically just existed out there. The numbers are bad (not far off the teams numbers though) but that's due to them getting nothing going offensively at all. Defensively his numbers look fine and I think he's mostly been fine.

He had a pretty good shift in the 2nd where he did well to breakout the puck, but yeah, he hasn't gotten a lot of time so far, which is understandable, especially with 11/7. A lot of options.

 

[Xirik]

Say if we lose this one but still manage to get the top of the division there would be a chance we'd play buffalo in the 1st round if they managed to squeak in?

I'd rather face the Rangers then the Sabres, This is too wide open and they match the Devils speed.

 

[Hisch13r]

agreed. The whole team is failing to generate offense tonight (despite 3 goals).

Hardly been a liability going the other way, though.

As I said earlier I think in zone he could be decent but the main place he'd be a liability is rush defense and he hasn't had to deal with that yet.

 

[AfroThunder396]

It’s pretty clear that Luke is only in the lineup to get his debut out of the way and burn a year of his ELC. Maybe to help morale in the room too.

But it’s obvious they don’t real want him to play regular minutes at all this season. If there’s an injury Smith will almost certainly be the next man up and Luke will be the #8 ICE defenseman.

 

[MauDevils]

Penguins season on the line and they're playing dead even to the Blackhawks. Gross.

 

[Emperoreddy]

Just need that Jack point

 

[Bcap88]

The leash is clearly on Luke

 

[DerekDevils30]

Sabres season on the line in this 3rd

 

[Killing Joke]

Love how we have one of the best d prospects in the world join the team and ruff uses him like he’s a Brendan smith level of player

 

[Eggtimer]

Levi has a good glove hand. Low blocker is garbage . Teams will figure it out.

 

[Mgd31]

Don’t care how we look, just win

 

[britdevil]

You guys are being way too harsh.

 

[Hisch13r]

Don’t care how we look, just win

Doesn't seem like they care all that much about how they're playing either.

 

[Emperoreddy]

You guys are being way too harsh.

Extremely. I'm here, we have been unusually sloppy but it's been good enough. Need that Jack point

 

[Hockey Sports Fan]

cuz it sucks lol

and it’s sucked since day 1. The lack of powerplay success has been the biggest indictment of Ruff for me this season. The chance and goal #’s are actually pretty good, but the Devils haven’t LOOKED good on the powerplay all year. They struggle to gain the zone, struggle to create inside chances, and feels like there’s multiple shorthanded breakaways against every game.

I think despite some poor tactics, they’ve been skating by on some supremely talented players. And it was a brilliant move by Fitz to sign one of the only defensemen in the league who turns harmless point shots into actual offense. Swapping Subban for Hamilton has been a windfall.

 

[MasterofGrond]

As I said earlier I think in zone he could be decent but the main place he'd be a liability is rush defense and he hasn't had to deal with that yet.

That's also where his natural abilities will be most valuable though. Not worried about a rangy super mobile guy with pretty good stickwork eventually figuring out how to defend the rush.

 

[PWiz30]

Some thoughts:
- Vitek had to be significantly better in the second but we won both periods.
- Levi made the save of the week on the power play or it would be 4-1.
- I need Jack to get on the scoresheet at least once in the third.

 

[Devs3cups]

Penguins season on the line and they're playing dead even to the Blackhawks. Gross.

76.5 xGF% and it's 0-0 lmfao.

 

[Richer's Ghost]

Sabres season on the line in this 3rd

and they're gonna pinch and give up some odd man rushes. Jack gonna get 2 in the 3rd.

 

[Hisch13r]

You guys are being way too harsh.

Nah we've been really bad. Vitek has carried HARD. If we were playing the exact same way and he was letting goals instead there'd be a complete meltdown.