GDT: I Can't Believe You Are All Making Me Do This (NJ at EDM 7:30 CST NHLN)

[PKs Broken Stick]

I have a hard time with this. Allen clearly plays well and we're now saying the defense is playing very well.

I'm usually more of a "goalies are a product of the system" person. But, I can see the other side as well - that good goalie play helps the system look good and gives confidence to the team to play better. And that's what last night's game seemed to be like.

The highlights from this game (I only saw the third live) make it feel like at least a couple of the many chances the Oilers had would normally go in. Maybe one more for the Devils too? But, the Noesen and Bratt goals - while good chances - are often saves too.

To me, this could easily have been 3-1 or 3-2 Oilers headed into the third. Would we still be saying positive things about the defense at that point?

I still think the team is a work in progress with a lot of room for improvement. But, being able to say that while the team is still managing to put up a 93 - 98 point pace is great.

Someone mentioned it awhile ago, but the improved defense is a bit deceptive. They might not "look" any better because they're giving up a ton of chances (To me though, they definitely do look better). However, those chances are mostly low danger tbh. Compare that to under Lindy where they limited chances really well but gave up a couple really high danger chances.

The same Allen that looked like a pumpkin last season is looking pretty good this season, don't think it's a coincidence. The one game this season where the defense was completely gone (and Allen in net), Allen looked like a pumpkin again. Coincidence?

 

[My3Sons]

It'a been hit or miss for me lately. I was hoping to avoid the Gotham subscription. I've been using ExpressVPN. Might look into Nord. Or just bite the bullet and pay for the Gotham sub and ditch Fubo.

I appreciate the enthusiasm but it's like asking Grandpa Simpson to make sense.

 

[Richer's Ghost]

I appreciate the enthusiasm but it's like asking Grandpa Simpson to make sense.

go tie that onion on your belt and get busy

 

[Patrik26]

I appreciate the enthusiasm but it's like asking Grandpa Simpson to make sense.

It's about RESULTS. Start the next one with last nights deserve meter.

 

[jkrdevil]

Someone mentioned it awhile ago, but the improved defense is a bit deceptive. They might not "look" any better because they're giving up a ton of chances (To me though, they definitely do look better). However, those chances are mostly low danger tbh. Compare that to under Lindy where they limited chances really well but gave up a couple really high danger chances.

The same Allen that looked like a pumpkin last season is looking pretty good this season, don't think it's a coincidence. The one game this season where the defense was completely gone (and Allen in net), Allen looked like a pumpkin again. Coincidence?

Allen has been volatile. There have been games he has been good (Last night), but games where he has been terrible (the Islanders and Tampa game). I guess that is standard fair for a backup and why he ultimately didn’t make it as a starter and got pushed out in St. Louis.

 

[Guadana]

I like the idea of a team winning streak but you won't like the idea of more of my old man GDTs.

Are you sure?
I come from a place where people like to watch an old man do the same thing year after year.
And until we winning? I can live with it.

 

[DerekDevils30]

Our record with MacDermid in lineup:

4-0-1

Yes. Magic.

Like I said last night. It’s a shame Fitz couldn’t get more than 3 years for him. It will be very hard to keep him around as he’ll have plenty of suitors once the deal is up. I like a lot of what Fitz did this off-season but 3 years was a mistake. Should have gone 7.

 

[Hisch13r]

And the things that xGA tends to miss that the Devils were bad at last year, they are much less bad at this year.

They give opponents less space and time, less cross slot passes get through, less uncontested guys in front of the goalie, and more guys fighting to clear rebounds compared to last year and xGA in public models don’t really capture most of that.

The Devils look pretty professional defending this year while they looked amateur the last few.

Yup. I was really hard on how they played defensively last year and said the numbers were really overrating how we were playing. This year the numbers match reality. Obviously not going to be perfect defensively every night (last night being an obvious example) but they’ve largely been great defensively and I generally feel very safe if the Siegs-Kovy or Luke-Pesce pairs are on the ice

 

[Hisch13r]

I’ve liked Mercer’s game a lot over the last 5 games since the Isles. I thought he’s been good defensively all year but seems even a bit better recently and he’s been more involved offensively recently. I think he’s still got more to give offensively. Shot rate has also tipped up recently. 10 over the last 5 after averaging around 1.6

 

[NjDevsRR]

I still see a month or two adjustment period for this group. You can clearly see Jack and Bratt holding back some attack to focus on making the right plays in the D and neutral zones. Once this team gets comfortable I can see them counter attacking more often on the rush.

 

[My3Sons]

I still see a month or two adjustment period for this group. You can clearly see Jack and Bratt holding back some attack to focus on making the right plays in the D and neutral zones. Once this team gets comfortable I can see them counter attacking more often on the rush.

They'd probably play better if they had more Dano Genucel memes.

 

[Zippy316]

Also it pains me to say this but MacDermid actually looked like a competent NHL player last night.

I mean the bar is so low but he seemed to actually be making plays and not skating like someone in an over 40 rec league.

 

[Xirik]

I appreciate the enthusiasm but it's like asking Grandpa Simpson to make sense.

You say that like it's a bad thing, Everyone loves Grandpa Simpsons long rambling stories that have no truth to them.

 

[Hisch13r]

I still see a month or two adjustment period for this group. You can clearly see Jack and Bratt holding back some attack to focus on making the right plays in the D and neutral zones. Once this team gets comfortable I can see them counter attacking more often on the rush.

If the goal was to get the team more comfortable defensively then I think they’re more comfortable defensively than offensively at this point. I think they’re going to have to give Jack some more freedom and just live with the consequences at times. This team won’t reach their ceiling without him at his

 

[NjDevsRR]

If the goal was to get them more comfortable defensively then I think they’re more comfortable defensively than offensively at this point. I think they’re going to have to give Jack some more freedom and just live with the consequences at times. This team won’t reach their ceiling without him at his

Was great to see a few nice D plays by Jack last night. He stole the puck from a Oiler in a high danger location. He is buying in

 

[Hisch13r]

It’s also nice that Timo-Nico-Mercer has been better this year and closer to what a lot of us envisioned they could be. 54% CF and xG, 56% SCF, 64% HDCF. Still believe they have more to give as a unit. I think they should at least be a +57% CF and xG line if not closer to or exceeding 60% when they’re really going

 

[glenwo2]

@My3Sons So you're going to have to make another GDT, huh?

Just copy and paste this one and change the opposing team's name. *Simple*.

 

[Hisch13r]

Was great to see a few nice D plays by Jack last night. He stole the puck from a Oiler in a high danger location. He is buying in

He’s never been the like Kane/Kessel type some paint him as where he plays with no regard for defense. Sure he’ll burn you some times cheating a bit for offense but if he’s not doing that then he’s not going to be Jack Hughes.

 

[My3Sons]

@My3Sons So you're going to have to make another GDT, huh?

Just copy and paste this one and change the opposing team's name. *Simple*.

I've got very limited internet posting skills. I'll have to figure out something.

 

[MartyOwns]

If this is the card you're going to play, then you don't really understand the "issue" with him

oh i understand the issue lol, believe me