GDT: Games 82 Devils Vs. Capitals 7:00 PM - That's a Wrap

[13BearerOfHope]

If someone told me at the beginning of the season that we would be battling for playoff position in game 82, I would be f***ing overjoyed and thought we would be battling with someone for the final wildcard spot on the final day of the season. Maybe even a battle with Washington to determine who the WC2 is.

We are in game 82 with a chance at winning arguably the most competitive division in the NHL. We are in game 82 with a chance at ending 2nd place in the entire NHL with the biggest year over year points improvement in NHL history and a chance at the best regular season in franchise history. We have a certified superstar on our hands in Jack Hughes who just broke the Devils scoring record at 21 years old. We have the best young 2-way star center in the league in Nico Hischier who might put up 80 points while being at least a Selke finalist. Dougie just finished 2nd in the NHL in defenseman scoring and broke the franchise defenseman goals record. We have Timo f***ing Meier who hasn't even scratched the surface of his potential with this core.

What a f***ing season. Unbelievable. It still doesn't feel real. 10 years of hardships, suffering, shit teams, bad coaching, and everything in between, and somehow, it seems like it was all worth it seeing the payoff right now. This is the beginning of a new era of Devils hockey. The first year of the future is here and I couldn't be more excited seeing the way this team has come to form.

It's game 82, and the season isn't over yet. LFGD!

I request a minute of silence for all the pain we endured over the years - and the John Hynes interviews…

 

[glenwo2]

Bahl Hamilton
Seig Sev
Luke Smith

Thanks for replying.

Glad to see Luke getting another look.

And Smith is serviceable, imo.

 

[HBK27]

Cool to see Luke playing more if this is the case.

This just reeks of 2018 when we rested guys and still had something to play for.

Whatever, I'm fine with whoever we play in the first round.

 

[ZachaFlockaFlame]

Cool to see Luke playing more if this is the case.

This just reeks of 2018 when we rested guys and still had something to play for.

Whatever, I'm fine with whoever we play in the first round.

Funny enough it was against the Caps that year too, lol. It was either playing them or TB.

 

[NJDevs26]

Cool to see Luke playing more if this is the case.

This just reeks of 2018 when we rested guys and still had something to play for.

Whatever, I'm fine with whoever we play in the first round.

I mean that was just playing for an opponent, not actually playing for an additional round of home ice on top of it. And in theory we did beat Tampa three times in the regular season. This is even more of a fate-tempter, you're resting guys not caring about home ice in the second round (although arguably they'd get it in the long run anyway assuming the Rangers beat Carolina) and clearly telling the Rangers you want to play them. Fitz gave away the game when he said they wanted to prioritize home ice in the first round then make lineup switches.

I can't wait to compare and contrast Carolina's lineup with our lineup tonight.

 

[Guttersniped]

It's an arbitrary thing to want an actual home ice advantage in the playoffs?

I'm not blaming the Devils, Devils fans, or Rangers fans. The Rangers play in Manhattan, they've been around since the NHL has existed, of course they have a bigger fanbase.

But I went to every home playoff game from the 2006 season until I moved in 2013, and I know how crazy our fans can get and how much of a difference-maker that is. I also know what it's like to be deafened by blue shirts screaming while our organ plays a slow version of Rock Lobster. I'll never be able to burn the image of Lundqvist taking a celebratory lap around the ice waving at Rangers fans in our building in 2008 out of my head.

I think the Devils will win the first round regardless, because I love this group and I think they're ready to make some noise. But It's not arbitrary to want a real home ice advantage.

It’s also just being realistic, the Rangers have been wildly more successful than us for a decade. A lot of Rangers fans will see the Rock as a more affordable alternative to the World’s Greatest Basketball Arena. I can’t change what will happen and bear no responsibility for it.

And you know it doesn’t matter what the actual % of fans are, it will look worse when they take over sections of the lower bowl and then terrible “estimates” will be bandied about.

And it’s just f***ing exhausting, you end up worrying the Rangers will take over the game, which means their fans will never shut-up.

I honestly find Rangers “the worst”, in the sense that I hate that team the most, but Islanders fans are usually the most annoying (by far actually).

I would be worried that the Rangers would start chants in the beginning of the game but I would bet real money the Isles fan would start immediately and never shut the f*** the up, because they never shut the f*** up in regular season.

And that “Yes Yes Yes” thing lol

 

[glenwo2]

It’s also just being realistic, the Rangers have been wildly more successful than us for a decade. A lot of Rangers fans will see the Rock as a more affordable alternative to the World’s Greatest Basketball Arena. I can’t change what will happen and bear no responsibility for it.

And you know it doesn’t matter what the actual % of fans are, it will look worse when they take over sections of the lower bowl and then terrible “estimates” will be bandied about.

And it’s just f***ing exhausting, you end up worrying the Rangers will take over the game, which means their fans will never shut-up.

I honestly find Rangers “the worst”, in the sense that I hate that team the most, but Islanders fans are usually the most annoying (by far actually).

I would be worried that the Rangers would start chants in the beginning of the game but I would bet real money the Isles fan would start immediately and never shut the f*** the up, because they never shut the f*** up in regular season.

And that “Yes Yes Yes” thing lol

One of the few things I blame Daniel Bryan for is creating that sh-tty phrase.

 

[ZachaFlockaFlame]

It’s also just being realistic, the Rangers have been wildly more successful than us for a decade. A lot of Rangers fans will see the Rock as a more affordable alternative to the World’s Greatest Basketball Arena. I can’t change what will happen and bear no responsibility for it.

And you know it doesn’t matter what the actual % of fans are, it will look worse when they take over sections of the lower bowl and then terrible “estimates” will be bandied about.

And it’s just f***ing exhausting, you end up worrying the Rangers will take over the game, which means their fans will never shut-up.

I honestly find Rangers “the worst”, in the sense that I hate that team the most, but Islanders fans are usually the most annoying (by far actually).

I would be worried that the Rangers would start chants in the beginning of the game but I would bet real money the Isles fan would start immediately and never shut the f*** the up, because they never shut the f*** up in regular season.

And that “Yes Yes Yes” thing lol

I've been to both home games against the Rangers and the Islanders home game in December. Out of the 3, the January Rangers game ironically enough was the best Devils crowd, lol. I don't think our fanbase gets up for the Islanders regular season games and neither do Isles fans really, they're just there if that makes sense? The enemy of my enemy is my friend type of thing.

 

[Cheddabombs]

It’s also just being realistic, the Rangers have been wildly more successful than us for a decade. A lot of Rangers fans will see the Rock as a more affordable alternative to the World’s Greatest Basketball Arena. I can’t change what will happen and bear no responsibility for it.

And you know it doesn’t matter what the actual % of fans are, it will look worse when they take over sections of the lower bowl and then terrible “estimates” will be bandied about.

And it’s just f***ing exhausting, you end up worrying the Rangers will take over the game, which means their fans will never shut-up.

I honestly find Rangers “the worst”, in the sense that I hate that team the most, but Islanders fans are usually the most annoying (by far actually).

I would be worried that the Rangers would start chants in the beginning of the game but I would bet real money the Isles fan would start immediately and never shut the f*** the up, because they never shut the f*** up in regular season.

And that “Yes Yes Yes” thing lol

The yes yes yes thing is so criminally awful. It has to be banned, Gary needs to step in here

 

[The Wumpus]

A) Rangers/Panthers is coin-flip as to which is preferable. Theories and opinions either way.
B) Even if we win it would still up to Carolina/Florida as to who we'd face.

Nice relaxing evening. Rooting for no injuries and some stat-padding.

 

[ZachaFlockaFlame]

I mean that was just playing for an opponent, not actually playing for an additional round of home ice on top of it. And in theory we did beat Tampa three times in the regular season. This is even more of a fate-tempter, you're resting guys not caring about home ice in the second round (although arguably they'd get it in the long run anyway assuming the Rangers beat Carolina) and clearly telling the Rangers you want to play them. Fitz gave away the game when he said they wanted to prioritize home ice in the first round then make lineup switches.

I can't wait to compare and contrast Carolina's lineup with our lineup tonight.

And if someone big gets hurt from our lineup trying to chase the division and arguably a worse matchup, people would still bitch lol. You can argue about this all day until your head spins.

 

[Guttersniped]

I don't mind going to Blackwood tonight. I get we'll have a bit of break before game 1 but still, Vitek played well Tuesday give him some more rest and have him going into game 1 on a high note.

I’m a bit surprised he wants that much rest for Vanecek, I assumed goalies wanted to get into some rhythm and not sit too long.

Buffalo did plow into him a couple times so maybe he prefers to play it safe or Vanecek needs the rest.

Whatever they think is best for Vanecek is the right move.

 

[Bleedred]

Schmid is only here to dress as Blackwood's backup tonight.

They may not have even brought Vitek on this trip, but if they did and Schmid is also on it, he's almost definitely a healthy scratch for this game.

Boston did something similar a few nights ago when they left Ullmark at home and brought one of their AHL goalies to dress and be the backup for Swayman.

They actually left quite a few bodies back home that night. That was the second half of a back to back though. The night after they played us.

 

[Saugus]

Graves, Marino and Palat scratched on NHL devils site

That will create a weird lineup, especially if Haula is still out.

Resting both guys on the middle pairing at the same time is a strategy, I guess.

 

[NJDevs26]

And if someone big gets hurt from our lineup trying to chase the division and arguably a worse matchup, people would still bitch lol. You can argue about this all day until your head spins.

We're playing Jack and Dougie as it is lol...you can't literally rest everyone and they wouldn't dare rest Jack while he still has a shot at 100 anyway. Dave Andreychuk got hurt in a meaningless game and that might have cost us another Stanley Cup in 1997, sometimes **** happens. If you could literally ice the whole of Utica and didn't care about the division, vaya con dios but they're still running out 90% of their lineup.

 

[TF1970]

A) Rangers/Panthers is coin-flip as to which is preferable. Theories and opinions either way.
B) Even if we win it would still up to Carolina/Florida as to who we'd face.

Nice relaxing evening. Rooting for no injuries and some stat-padding.

this is how i feel. neither NYR or FLA are easy matchups at all whatsoever - devils will be in tough against either one, although the rangers are def the stronger team overall IMO especially given the shesterkin factor.

if that reported lineup stuff is all true, i am fine with resting those guys - can see the merit in all of them if im being honest. i get you possibly are playing for the division title, but its not a guarantee that happens even w/ a victory. like if carolina wins, this literally ends up as a meaningless game. it also would give hughes another game to get his feet wet plus gets smith back in so if he needs to be an option in round one, it won't be 2-3 weeks or whatever since he was in the lineup. who knows, maybe hughes will need to be an option at some point too - never say never, right?

again, i get the game technically does have implications, but odds also are it won't. and either way, it isn't like they are tossing a bunch of american league call ups out there. personally, this is probably the one game all year i literally couldnt care less about the result, just get out of it without any injuries.

 

[ZachaFlockaFlame]

We're playing Jack and Dougie as it is lol...you can't literally rest everyone and they wouldn't dare rest Jack while he still has a shot at 100 anyway. Dave Andreychuk got hurt in a meaningless game and that might have cost us another Stanley Cup in 1997, sometimes **** happens. If you could literally ice the whole of Utica and didn't care about the division, vaya con dios but they're still running out 90% of their lineup.

Well in this sense of the argument, it's Vanecek. Tom Wilson or Ovechkin run into him, proceeds to get hurt and the Devils are basically cooked for the playoffs. Playing Blackwood against a bad team isn't a death sentence and nor is it a sign of giving away the division too. They're in a win-win with tonight's game imo. Also for what it's worth, they looked like complete ass v Buffalo the other night with Vanecek bailing them out for the first half the game. Maybe it's the coaches saying, rely less on your goalie with a way worse goalie in net and get your asses in check before Monday/Tuesday.

 

[glenwo2]

Okay....wishing for this (*not* calling it as I suck at predictions) tonight :

I'm sure many of you are "shocked" by this.


But the main thing is : NO INJURIES.

I do not trust Tom Wilson not to go full Brad "Bitch-Baby" Marchand on the Devils.

 

[JrFischer54]

Cool to see Luke playing more if this is the case.

This just reeks of 2018 when we rested guys and still had something to play for.

Whatever, I'm fine with whoever we play in the first round.

that annoyed me in 18. giving a player 1 game off isn't going to make a difference in the grand scheme of things. if you are 50%ish sure take the game 75% and up your playing and trying to get better.

 

[NJDevs26]

Well in this sense of the argument, it's Vanecek. Tom Wilson or Ovechkin run into him, proceeds to get hurt and the Devils are basically cooked for the playoffs. Playing Blackwood against a bad team isn't a death sentence and nor is it a sign of giving away the division too. They're in a win-win with tonight's game imo. Also for what it's worth, they looked like complete ass v Buffalo the other night with Vanecek bailing them out for the first half the game. Maybe it's the coaches saying, rely less on your goalie with a way worse goalie in net and get your asses in check before Monday/Tuesday.

It appears VV isn’t the only significant regular getting rest though, that would be one thing

 

[ZachaFlockaFlame]

It appears VV isn’t the only significant regular getting rest though, that would be one thing

Palat, Graves and Marino all make sense. They probably want Smith to get a final tune up (LOL but you know he's a veteran so he'll be liked by Ruff + staff) + Luke another game. Palat has looked like deep fried butt the past few weeks and he could use a reset. I have no problem with those 3 guys being out if they're being rumored.

 

[NJDevs26]

Palat, Graves and Marino all make sense. They probably want Smith to get a final tune up (LOL but you know he's a veteran so he'll be liked by Ruff + staff) + Luke another game. Palat has looked like deep fried butt the past few weeks and he could use a reset. I have no problem with those 3 guys being out if they're being rumored.

I’m not even saying I have a problem with any of this in a vacuum or even care about the division that much, it just seems like we’re doing a lot of stuff to tempt fate. Maybe Carolina wins anyway and our result doesn’t matter, but hockey karma usually jumps up and bites you when you overtly try to manipulate matchups, especially settling for a worse seed to do it.

 

[ZachaFlockaFlame]

I’m not even saying I have a problem with any of this in a vacuum, it just seems like we’re doing a lot of stuff to tempt fate. Maybe Carolina wins anyway and our result doesn’t matter, but hockey karma usually jumps up and bites you when you try to manipulate matchups.

You can work that argument both ways though. The guys coming in have more to prove and arguably will play harder than say Graves, Marino, Palat in a game like this. Those 3 guys are veterans who've played in the playoffs and maybe they shy away from less risk tonight as opposed to Smith, Luke Hughes + whoever the Palat lineup replacement is. I don't think they're to manipulate a matchup per se but more so we have a ton of options for first time in maybe a decade or two.

 

[NJDevs26]

The amusing thing would be if Carolina got one point and it came down to a meaningless shootout with a backup goalie to decide the division. Shades of when Clemmensen nearly kept the Isles out of the playoffs

 

[SJinNewJersey]

Okay....wishing for this (*not* calling it as I suck at predictions) tonight :

I'm sure many of you are "shocked" by this.


But the main thing is : NO INJURIES.

I do not trust Tom Wilson not to go full Brad "Bitch-Baby" Marchand on the Devils.

Would be nice to have Lazar in the lineup tonight.