Ducks @ Devils - 7:00 PM - MSG

[JK3]

Seems like Keefe's system fits Nico's game perfectly, he's going nuts out there. Jack on the other hand, while getting better he's having some issues. I don't think he's allowed to freelance as much or at least he doesn't recognize when he should or shouldn't.

We're actually starting have a bit of a forecheck and we dump and chase when needed. The other night Palat and Bratt had speed through the NZ with Jack way behind them. Instead of dumping the puck in for his line mates with speed he held onto it and tried to dipsy doodle through, couldn't and was forced to just chip it in. Meanwhile his line mates were standing flat footed at the blue line with no chance or doing anything. The puck was picked up and transitioned out of the zone with our guys trapped which eventually lead to a goal.

 

[WhiskeyYerTheDevils]

Seems like Keefe's system fits Nico's game perfectly, he's going nuts out there. Jack on the other hand, while getting better he's having some issues. I don't think he's allowed to freelance as much or at least he doesn't recognize when he should or shouldn't.

We're actually starting have a bit of a forecheck and we dump and chase when needed. The other night Palat and Bratt had speed through the NZ with Jack way behind them. Instead of dumping the puck in for his line mates with speed he held onto it and tried to dipsy doodle through, couldn't and was forced to just chip it in. Meanwhile his line mates were standing flat footed at the blue line with no chance or doing anything. The puck was picked up and transitioned out of the zone with our guys trapped which eventually lead to a goal.

The system isn't as aggressive defensively higher in the defensive zone, which means less offense off the transition and more from the cycle. That's definitely going to hurt a guy like Jack.

 

[Call Me Al]

nico’s been looking like the 2017 WJC version and it’s a joy to watch. he always had this in him

 

[My3Sons]

nico’s been looking like the 2017 WJC version and it’s a joy to watch. he always had this in him

A joy? He's a selfish puck hog who never passes. How else do you explain the goals to assist ratio? Guy's a plug. Why else does Keefe use him to take big draws and matchup to the other team's best players? They should trade him for Laine.

 

[Nubmer6]

Why else does Keefe use him to take big draws and matchup to the other team's best players?

Isn't being a defensive faceoff specialist pretty common for a 3rd line center?

 

[My3Sons]

Isn't being a defensive faceoff specialist pretty common for a 3rd line center?

So after posting dead horse and hand over face gifs and mocking me now you want to play? Pick a lane.

 

[NjdevilfanJim]

Nico has been and is one of the best 200 ft players in the NHL...

 

[Emperoreddy]

Now that's the face of a Rocket winner

 

[Its Always Sundstrom]

Isn't being a defensive faceoff specialist pretty common for a 3rd line center?

 

[MadDevil]

I’d like to see them play more consistent and start beating playoff contenders. If not, don’t count on them being a playoff team.

Sure, but I don't think they can just flip a switch and get there. Performances like last night can help them gain confidence in themselves and the system, which should hopefully lead to more consistent play. Now, if they take a performance like last night for granted, or don't follow that up with another good performance, then that's on them and it might be a long season if they can't string multiple strong performances together. Given Keefe's history I tend to think they'll be fine, at least in the regular season. I still have my doubts about him in the playoffs, but let's worry about that when we get there.

 

[Nubmer6]

So after posting dead horse and hand over face gifs and mocking me now you want to play? Pick a lane.

I wasn't saying Nico was a 3rd line center. I was just asking about the role of a 3rd line center.

Yeah... That's what I was doing!

 

[glenwo2]

I wasn't saying Nico was a 3rd line center. I was just asking about the role of a 3rd line center.

Yeah... That's what I was doing!

Hmmm...

 

[Guadana]

Yup. Just can’t bring myself to split them. Before Luke/Pesce were back I think you could’ve done it so you didn’t have 2 pairs struggling but I can’t do it now.

Siegs-Kovy have played the most minutes of any pair in the league at 175. There’s been 89 pairs to play at least 50 minutes they have the 6th best xG% and 10th best xGA/60. They’re up 10-5 in goals.

Either Dillon-Dougie is the 3rd pair and you hope against weaker competition that they aren’t as exposed defensively and Dougie can create more offensively. It’s not like that pair can’t control play together and they’re constantly getting caved or anything. They have a 58% xG together. It’s just that their breakdowns are really bad. Match them up against less talented players and maybe things go better for them. Other option is reworking the bottom 4 and going Luke-Dougie and Dillon-Pesce

Dougie used to be a top 4 D because he is earning his salary in o zone by helping to the best forwards. If he will play with our bottom players its a waste of his salary and talent.
They need to play with less talented players to be matched against less talented players.
Or we can start to talk about using Bratt as a driver of his own line, but it looks like Keefe always tried to load top 6 with best players and he is trying to do it now as he did before.

 

[Oneiro]

Can't say enough about Nico.

Seeing this makes it pretty clear we did him dirty with coaching / lack of systems work all these years. This is the guy scouts were talking about in 2017, where he's a true offense flows from defense player.

 

[Dylan9z9]

good win before the trip

Thanks for that .... Love Willie!

 

[denverdevil]

Boom?
View attachment 922710

I just saw this and I regret asking for this.