GDT: Kings @ Devils - 7:00 PM - MSG

[PizzaAndPucks]

I was there tonight in attendance for this one. The Devils got better as the game went along. It was a pretty non eventful game till later in the 2nd period. They responded well after Markstrom gave that weak goal up. He responded well after it too and made some good saves.

The Devils got a bit lucky that Kings player whiffed on that cross ice one timer late in the 3rd but they certainly earned that win. The top line carried them and it was great to see Pesce get his first goal as a Devil. It really helped clinch the win and ease pressure off of having to defend a 1 goal lead in the final minutes of the game.

 

[Richer's Ghost]

Noticed this in the highlights. A thing of beauty from Jack…

Hamilton gets caught pinching at the blueline leaving Dillon as the lone dman back and a potential 2-on-1 if there is no forward support. Jack notices this and is in a good position

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Jack tracks down the passing option on the potential 2-on-1 allowing Dillon to pressure the puck carrier.

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Dillon allows a shot but Jack remains in a good spot to clean up a potential rebound.

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Jack’s all around game has grown leaps and bounds this season. Just a beautiful sequence to watch. He gets 3 points tonight but a play like this can go unnoticed. He deserves a lot of credit.

Yep - he's not just doing it for a shift or two to make up for a mistake, he's committed to being that player. I'm loving it.

 

[onmygameboi]

 

[TheBeerNerd]

Well earned two points and a hell of a game from Jack on all aspects. No wonder why Keefe wasn’t worried after the Leafs game.

 

[Better Call Sal]

It’s really hard not to love this guy.

 

[Call Me Al]

they’ve been utterly dominant on D with how few shots and chances they give up, it’s kind of incredible to see.

not worried about scoring because slumps happen and our guys are too talented to have such an extended drought, just inconsistent goaltending is my worry. and would like to see the bottom 6 shored up a little but overall they’re playing really really well even in losses for the most part

 

[Marv4Life]

The defense has been a pleasant surprise so far with the exception of a few duds. Gotta give it up to Keefe.

 

[Hisch13r]

they’ve been utterly dominant on D with how few shots and chances they give up, it’s kind of incredible to see.

not worried about scoring because slumps happen and our guys are too talented to have such an extended drought, just inconsistent goaltending is my worry. and would like to see the bottom 6 shored up a little but overall they’re playing really really well even in losses for the most part

I do think the scoring is a concern. We're overly reliant on the PP and we're seeing recently how much they struggle when the PP can't come through. We're 19th in 5v5 GF/60. We've at least started to create more as of late and have gotten up to top 5 in xGF/60. I do expect them to start scoring more but I also think the offensive talent after the stars is just not good at all and wouldn't be surprised if they can't score up to expected. The stars need to be better. Bratt's 22nd in 5v5 P/60 which is great. Jack's 85th, Nico's 131st, Timo's 118th. None of that is good enough. The 3 years before this Bratt was 8th, Nico was 20th, and Jack was 24th. Timo was 72nd. I don't think you can count on the secondary scoring with this team so you need more production from the big guns than you've been getting and need them back where they usually are

 

[SansaStark]

I’m trying not to get too excited but they’re on their way to playing contender level hockey right now.

If we ever get any depth scoring..I think we actually have a shot atleast to win a round or two.

 

[Bad Goalie]

I’d like to say that maybe the lack of shots could be hurting Markstrom and causing some of these weak goals the last two games. Maybe I’m wrong, but I thought I saw or heard something where he said he liked to face more shots. Or maybe it was some kind of stat or some statistician saying Markstrom is a goalie who suffers when not consistent getting work in-game.

I know for sure a lot of goalies wanted to face some shots early. Luongo was notoriously one of them and was vocal about it. He said he liked to feel the puck early.

Patrick Roy also said something like he grew more confident in himself and got more comfortable the more shots he faced, and so did a lot of people who played both with him and against him. They said it got harder to score the more shots he faced without giving one up.

Marty was one of the very few who said he had no problem with going long periods of time without facing a shot, and it didn’t really throw him off or make him fall asleep or anything.

That would be true. Most goalies like work. Standing around for several minutes and then facing a breakaway or a sudden flurry is not how you stay sharp and in the game. A goalie expert should know that, LOL.

 

[Triumph]

I do think the scoring is a concern. We're overly reliant on the PP and we're seeing recently how much they struggle when the PP can't come through. We're 19th in 5v5 GF/60. We've at least started to create more as of late and have gotten up to top 5 in xGF/60. I do expect them to start scoring more but I also think the offensive talent after the stars is just not good at all and wouldn't be surprised if they can't score up to expected. The stars need to be better. Bratt's 22nd in 5v5 P/60 which is great. Jack's 85th, Nico's 131st, Timo's 118th. None of that is good enough. The 3 years before this Bratt was 8th, Nico was 20th, and Jack was 24th. Timo was 72nd. I don't think you can count on the secondary scoring with this team so you need more production from the big guns than you've been getting and need them back where they usually are

I don't think it's a concern at all, when healthy, but obviously if we lose any of Bratt, Nico, or Jack for a length of time the Devils will become a middle of the pack scoring team.

Also they have clearly sacrificed some offense for defense. If the goaltending can just be average, this team is going to win a ton of games with an above-average offense and defense.

 

[AfroThunder396]

I think that once we start stringing together more of these elite defensive performances and the players show Keefe that he can truly trust them in high leverage situations, he will give guys the green light to push the offense a little more. He's clearly trying to make a point.

 

[Hisch13r]

I think that once we start stringing together more of these elite defensive performances and the players show Keefe that he can truly trust them in high leverage situations, he will give guys the green light to push the offense a little more. He's clearly trying to make a point.

I mean we're 30+ games in as an elite defense. If that is the point then that point been made.

 

[PKs Broken Stick]

Bratt’s in a responsible position so that’s good. But yeah. Dillon and Hamilton both play very aggressively at times. Just the headaches we’re going to have to live with when they’re together lol

I can't tell from the screenshot who that 5th King player is and I don't remember either but Dougie ain't catching him most likely, if the puck was turned over. That's the main concern. Even if Bratt could, why would you put your team in that kind of potential danger.

I'm fine with Hamilton playing aggressively because he usually does something good with it. Dillon just parks himself in the slot like Lemaire is the coach or something. Seen him do that multiple times now. Just weird.

Hamilton and Dillon play a very high event game. If you expect them to limit chances the way the other pairings do, you'll be disappointed. But try and keep an eye out for just how much NJD generates with them on. It's a lot more than you think

I expect Dillon to be the guy that limits chances, but he's been anything but that

 

[Hisch13r]

I can't tell from the screenshot who that 5th King player is and I don't remember either but Dougie ain't catching him most likely, if the puck was turned over. That's the main concern. Even if Bratt could, why would you put your team in that kind of potential danger.

I'm fine with Hamilton playing aggressively because he usually does something good with it. Dillon just parks himself in the slot like Lemaire is the coach or something. Seen him do that multiple times now. Just weird.



I expect Dillon to be the guy that limits chances, but he's been anything but that

Dillon's a ball of chaos. I know some people really wanted Zadorov. We got him. We just got the slightly cheaper and older model.

 

[PKs Broken Stick]

So is beating thr defensive darlings a good win or is it proof the Kings are just a mirage? I’m still not sure if NJ has won any big games yet this season.

Rittich was in net

 

[Emperoreddy]

 

[Emperoreddy]

 

[Maine Fan]

So is beating thr defensive darlings a good win or is it proof the Kings are just a mirage? I’m still not sure if NJ has won any big games yet this season.

The Devils stopped a 6 game Kings winning streak. After 32 games played the Devils are in 5th place overall only 2 points out of the first slot. I will take that record to date anytime.

 

[Maine Fan]

Rittich was in net

Is this your way of dis-crediting the Devils win?

 

[Cheddabombs]

That's my coach!!

 

[Hisch13r]

He's right they've lost too much. Yeah they're 7th in pts% but they really should be higher than that. When it comes to games they won that they probably should've lost I can only really think of the Edmonton game. Edmonton was better in that game but they kept blowing their chances and then Allen came up big on top of that and we capitalized on our chances. On the other hand there's quite a few losses in games we should've won.

 

[Devils731]

So is beating thr defensive darlings a good win or is it proof the Kings are just a mirage? I’m still not sure if NJ has won any big games yet this season.

I made a quick tree for when you’re unsure.

 

[Mr Bojanglez]

Rittich was in net

I know you jest somewhat. And I agree Rittich overall stinks.

He has shown to give up clunkers this year, but he has also beaten some good teams.

Tonight kind of reminded me of some old-school Devils hockey. Boring overall (to the average fan) - then taking your shots when you get them.

I really liked the energy on the 2nd goal, and just before it too. It was not a matter of them just trying... but it was more of a mindset like "oh, no, we're making this happen".

 

[NjDevsRR]

I made a quick tree for when you’re unsure.

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Fixed

@Nubmer6