GDT: Devils @ Wild - 8:00 PM - MSGSN

[theoptimist]

I don't think anyone wants to be a bubble team per se (that would require a little bit of a collapse), but how many times have we seen in the playoffs that seeding really doesn't matter? We had multiple years where we won divisions and got bounced early, while three of our finals runs we were a middle seed.

Not to mention our road record this year is a behemoth compared to a mediocre home record.

Regular season road wins don't matter if we accept your premise that seeding doesn't matter. However, I agree with you and think of the 2012 Kings immediately

 

[theoptimist]

Who is discussing us getting in as a bubble team?

More specifically, who is realistically passing us to knock us out of the top 3? The Penguins? The Caps? The Isles?

Is that something you’re worried about now? For real?

I don’t see how that’s an actual current concern but if you like inventing problems that don’t exist, have at it I guess.

We have a 3 point lead and a game in hand on the Rangers. Unfortunately they’re actually quite good now and have been on absolutely on fire.

It’s a playoff race, you know, a competition where other teams can win a bunch of games too.

Under the spoiler you can see the top 7 teams in GF% in the last two months.

The Top 3? Boston, the Rangers and Carolina.

The Rangers went 17-4-3 (.771) and the Hurricanes went 19-4-2 (.800).

Those two teams had the best win % in the entire NHL over the last two months. The Bruins were 3rd. It sucks but that’s how it is in the Metro.

The Top 8-15 is in the next spoiler, and spoiler alert: we’re 13th in GF%. And we went 13-8-4 (.600).

So “acceptable” or not, we might have trouble fending off the Rags. That’s what usually happens when you play worse and win less than another team.

But we do still have a led on them, so that’s nice. How melodramatic you want to be about it is up to you.

Spoiler: Dec 12 - Feb 12 Top 7

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Spoiler: Dec 12 - Feb 12 Top 8-15

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I'm confused, are you using me as an example? lol

I did not mean to suggest we were in danger of becoming a bubble team. I am saying 2 losses in a row is unacceptable for this group, especially one that SHOULD finish top 3. It's a pride thing for me. I know they're making the playoffs.

 

[PizzaAndPucks]

Every team pretty.much has holes somewhere in their lineup. This team clearly needs a another hugh end forward. The talent level between our 3rd and 4th best offensive forward is too big. Bratt and Nico need to step up in Jack absence. Having a player like Meier in the mix with those 2 makes us a much better team. Palat has been pretty good since returning from injury and in haply with his game atleast. Bringing in Meier just makes more and more sense by the day. Really wish Holtz was playing better but look at how he has been utilized. He doesn't really get consistent opportunity to prove himself and has to play in the bottom 6. He will get there at some point but this season has not been good for him.

 

[NJDevs26]

I'm confused, are you using me as an example? lol

I did not mean to suggest we were in danger of becoming a bubble team. I am saying 2 losses in a row is unacceptable for this group, especially one that SHOULD finish top 3. It's a pride thing for me. I know they're making the playoffs.

I wouldn't have wanted to see you when we lost six in a row lol...we haven't even lost two in a row atm although yes losing to Columbus would be shitty all on its own.

But I mean how far above .500 do you guys expect the Devils to be on the road? Eventually they're going to lose two or three in a row away from the Rock.

 

[Devs3cups]

I wouldn't have wanted to see you when we lost six in a row lol...we haven't even lost two in a row atm although yes losing to Columbus would be shitty all on its own.

But I mean how far above .500 do you guys expect the Devils to be on the road? Eventually they're going to lose two in a row away from the Rock.

Losing 2 in a row is so common in the NHL even for top teams. Like you said, it’s bound to happen. These new unrealistic standards for this team just turning the corner are starting to get to me lol.

 

[theoptimist]

I wouldn't have wanted to see you when we lost six in a row lol...we haven't even lost two in a row atm although yes losing to Columbus would be shitty all on its own.

But I mean how far above .500 do you guys expect the Devils to be on the road? Eventually they're going to lose two in a row away from the Rock.

I was on this free website throwing stones at other posters. Them's the breaks.

 

[NJDevs26]

Losing 2 in a row is so common in the NHL even for top teams. Like you said, it’s bound to happen. These new unrealistic standards for this team just turning the corner are starting to get to me lol.

The laughable thing is I was sounding the alarms as much as anyone in December and getting called a doomer but now that they have their playoff cushion back I don't really care about peaking two months before the playoffs begin. If they were actually on the bubble, different story (especially after being so far above the bubble early on).

 

[theoptimist]

Our captain also talked about not losing two in a row this season, but stuff like this miss 90% of the fanbase when they're not busy diagnosing other people with drinking problems. Clowns.

 

[NJDevs26]

Calm down, the Devils haven't (yet) lost two in a row since 2022 when we played the Bruins two straight games. There's a big difference between not wanting to lose two in a row and thinking it's somehow beneath us to do so.

 

[Devs3cups]

Our captain also talked about not losing two in a row this season, but stuff like this miss 90% of the fanbase when they're not busy diagnosing other people with drinking problems. Clowns.

Missed that, where did that happen?

Edit: Lol, missed the Brunnette reference

 

[Camille the Eel]

McLeod is fine in his role. He's not contributing offensively but he's not a liability either. Cannot say the same for Wood.

He had a good game last night. He's one of the few guys who can skate it out of our own end by himself against the cycle. With Jack out, that's quite important.

I thought our break outs improved hugely in the second period when all five players got involved deeper in our end to provide passing options and where often the player with the chance just to take the puck and skate it out, did so. That's why we repeatedly trapped them pinching in deep and got so many second period chances.

Also Minny is a good team that owned us last year. We played them at least even last night in a game they desperately needed and probably we should have won.

I also can't see knocking the coaching when we've got the record we do with this roster. We are a well coached team with the record to prove it.

 

[Better Call Sal]

Missed that, where did that happen?

I assume that was in reference to Brunette.

 

[Guttersniped]

Miraculously Bastian’s isn’t though. And he spends just as much time 5v5 with Wood too.

Yeah at the end of the day, there’s always going to be a lot of context missing from these types of metrics. But to me, the eye test and numbers show that McLeod is as bad as Wood. McLeod just doesn’t take the same dumb penalties and is good at faceoffs.

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Well that’s because

It is known.

McLeod has been worse defensively this season.

Why? I’m guessing playing with Jimmy Vesey rather than Miles Wood helped him last season. (Vesey is the Rags’ best defensive forward.)

I had hoped he was turning into a better defensive forward. Maybe it’s a demanding system for a center to do that. He’s an energetic forechecker and solid PKer but it’s been a rocky season.

Spoiler: McLeod.

2022-23

21-22

20-21

The thing about Bastian’s defense is that it really passes the eye test, particularly around the net. Just a smart defensive player. (Shooting for shit this year and missing those sweet PP points though lol.)

Spoiler: King Bastian

22-23

21-22

20-21

You know him, you love (to complain about) him, it’s Woody!

I put 2019-20 here since he didn’t play last season.

It’s not quite the 19-20 version of Wood now. His line-mates seemed to be the issue that season (Simmonds, Zacha, Hayden, etc).

He’s not really contributing though or playing well or even skating well, so yeah, dark times in Woodyville.

Spoiler: Board Fav Miles Wood

2022-23

2020-21

2019-20

 

[Darkauron]

Our captain also talked about not losing two in a row this season, but stuff like this miss 90% of the fanbase when they're not busy diagnosing other people with drinking problems. Clowns.

I DONT have a drinking problem! My only problem is I don't have anything to drink thank you!

 

[Triumph]

Miraculously Bastian’s isn’t though. And he spends just as much time 5v5 with Wood too.

Yeah at the end of the day, there’s always going to be a lot of context missing from these types of metrics. But to me, the eye test and numbers show that McLeod is as bad as Wood. McLeod just doesn’t take the same dumb penalties and is good at faceoffs.

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The thing is, GSVA is arguing that McLeod is a 25th percentile player, now I don't know who gets counted in all of that, but if there's a reasonably high minutes minimum, then that seems completely fine to have on your 4th line. Not every player can be above average, and most of the 4th liners who grade out as above average in metrics like these will be guys on shooting benders - McLeod had his 2 years ago.

 

[Guttersniped]

I'm confused, are you using me as an example? lol

I did not mean to suggest we were in danger of becoming a bubble team. I am saying 2 losses in a row is unacceptable for this group, especially one that SHOULD finish top 3. It's a pride thing for me. I know they're making the playoffs.

I kinda am?

Two losses in a row doesn’t prevent a Top 3 finish in the Metro, at all. So I don’t get the connection.

Carolina lost 4 games in a row (3 of them in regulation) in January, while literally being the hottest team in the NHL for the last two months.

I don’t get the “pride” part I guess. Everyone hates losing, because losing sucks. That’s pretty basic.

The team will perform how it performs. I get pleasure and frustration from it, that’s fandom.

But I actually try to be realistic about it so I don’t have big emotional highs and lows.

I also don’t think we’re the best team in the Metro now. Not sure we’re the 2nd best now, the recent numbers say we aren’t.

That sort of thing doesn’t hurt my feelings either. The Metro is still the most brutal division in the NHL, there’s a real chance it sends 5 teams to the playoffs.

 

[Bleedred]

Can you imagine if a few got their way (I know it wasn't an overwhelming consensus) and we re-signed Wood this offseason to a 4 year deal for $3.5-$4 million and this was year one of that deal?

I mean, suppose he had a GOOD season this year, like the best of his career. Nothing too ridiculously good, but say he did get 40 points and 20 goals this season, we extended him 4 years @ $14-$16 million this offseason and instead he was having this season next year, on the first season of his 4 year deal?

That would have been like when we extended Jay Pandolfo to a huge raise because ''He was underpaid for so long'' and if you didn't believe it was a mistake as soon as it was signed, it didn't take many games into 08-09 to come to the conclusion of just how bad it was.

All I remember are 2 or 3 posters (I can remember two by name) saying he needs to be re-signed, even if it's that much and that maybe if we give him 4 years we can have the AAV somewhat reduced.

 

[Brooklyndevil]

I can see the Rangers passing us and Carolina. They made a very good trade for them. We need to improve, unless the organization is happy with making playoffs as is and holding on to their assets this year. I’m sure Fitz is trying, but who knows what he’s willing to give up.

 

[NJDevs26]

Missed that, where did that happen?

Edit: Lol, missed the Brunnette reference

LOL the problem with the Brunette stuff here wasn't even that people were accusing him of having a drinking problem because of the DUI (before the particulars came out)...it's that people immediately made the leap to 'oh, so that's why he didn't get the job in Florida' without any real evidence this was a chronic issue or that it even would have factored in.

 

[glenwo2]

My guess is jack will be back by Saturday (hopefully )

I thought Tatar had his best game of the year, palat looked good as well, severson and nico played pretty solid games overall. Bratt was so so but nothing to complain about

Graves was terrible in the third, haula had the game on his stick and sharangovich did as well.

Mercer had a solid game. Other than that everyone else was meh. Vitek played well

If 3-4 of Bratt's completed passes to Haula/Boqvist (in prime scoring opportunities) were converted, he would be more than just so-so, I imagine. lol

He put his linemates (or whomever he was on the ice with) in positions to succeed.

Jack does the same thing.

Difference is Jack can score as well as he can pass.

Bratt needs to improve on the former but he (and for the millionth time I am saying this) needs to be a bit more selfish and fire the puck on net as he's got an underrated shot.

 

[Bleedred]

This whole ''The Rangers are gonna pass us now'' thing is getting a little DD-like from a select few.

If we lost in regulation and some of the other teams like Pittsburgh or god forbid the Islanders, Sabres, Panthers (i.e. teams that are not in a playoffs spot) win a few I could see it getting really whacky in here.

I'm more scared of how unreadable might be if those teams win a few and we lose a few. And those teams are like 13-16 behind us, a couple of them having about 3-4 more games played than us.......

 

[Devs3cups]

I can see the Rangers passing us and Carolina. They made a very good trade for them. We need to improve, unless the organization is happy with making playoffs as is and holding on to their assets this year. I’m sure Fitz is trying, but who knows what he’s willing to give up.

Not talking about you specifically at all, but there are way too many people talking like we’re dropping points like crazy and coming out of the “top of the Metro” race.

We’ve dropped 7 points out of a possible 32 since January 1st. We got 22 points out of the last 26 available. The team is racking up points, even when they’re losing.

They’re not playing as good as the should/can, but the fact they’re getting a lot of points right now is a good sign.

As for your point about adding, I absolutely agree. Would love Meier, but the bottom-6 could use some help also.

 

[Bleedred]

Not talking about you specifically at all, but there are way too many people talking like we’re dropping points like crazy and coming out of the “top of the Metro” race.

My thoughts exactly.

 

[Devs3cups]

My thoughts exactly.

We’re getting points and when we’re losing we do it in OT/SO more often than not lately. Only 2 regulation losses since the new year. That’s very, very good.

 

[Devs3cups]

It’s sad that I already know Miles Wood will stick in the lineup next game after his uninspired play once again last night and his brutal offensive zone penalty that unnecessarily put us in a hole early. He could really sit for a few.

Selective accountability.