OOT scoreboard 2025 playoff edition

[Guadana]

The Devils are definitely more physical than the past few years but there’s no way they could keep up with the Panthers.

It’s not even about speed so much as it’s pretty much going all out with relentless pressure in every zone.

The Devils were totally gassed and spent by game 5 of the first round. Their last game was sad and embarrassing to watch, they moved like they’re 75 years old even before they got to OT.

Devils were top-1 team in hits when played vs Canes. I dont think they are ready to compete vs panthers but this is why experience is need for.

 

[ZachaFlockaFlame]

The Devils are definitely more physical than the past few years but there’s no way they could keep up with the Panthers.

It’s not even about speed so much as it’s pretty much going all out with relentless pressure in every zone.

The Devils were totally gassed and spent by game 5 of the first round. Their last game was sad and embarrassing to watch, they moved like they’re 75 years old even before they got to OT.

Because half the roster belonged in Utica not in the NHL playoffs

 

[ZachaFlockaFlame]

Fitz’s gameplan has to be “how to beat the Panthers”. Watching the Panthers, there is absolutely no way the Devils as constructed right now could beat them in a 7 game series. Just an unreal team.

Lol absolutely the f*** not, we did this in 2023 with the "how to beat the Canes" and we f***ed ourselves 2 years with this core. Build the best possible team in totality and trim the fat when you get there. The Devils are no in f***ing spot to just build a team to beat one particular team. This is horrendous logic to use

 

[Devs3cups]

Lol absolutely the f*** not, we did this in 2023 with the "how to beat the Canes" and we f***ed ourselves 2 years with this core. Build the best possible team in totality and trim the fat when you get there. The Devils are no in f***ing spot to just build a team to beat one particular team. This is horrendous logic to use

It’s semantics. Fitz needs to figure out how to build a team that can beat the top dogs in the league. Mentioned the Panthers cause that’s the game that just happened. Replace Florida with Dallas, or whoever fits. Point is, fully healthy this team isn’t close to those guys yet. Definitely agree with the bolded, whatever type of team that is.

 

[ZachaFlockaFlame]

It’s semantics. Fitz needs to figure out how to build a team that can beat the top dogs in the league. Mentioned the Panthers cause that’s the game that just happened. Replace Florida with Dallas, or whoever fits. Point is, fully healthy this team isn’t close to those guys yet. Definitely agree with the bolded, whatever type of team that is.

They had that team, they overreacted and blew it up way before they should've and now they're spending time picking up the pieces from the reactionary bomb they threw onto the roster. They also need health at some point for a run, people who are overreacting to what happened Round 1 are finally realizing that if they had health they probably are in the ECF as is.

 

[Devs3cups]

They had that team, they overreacted and blew it up way before they should've and now they're spending time picking up the pieces from the reactionary bomb they threw onto the roster. They also need health at some point for a run, people who are overreacting to what happened Round 1 are finally realizing that if they had health they probably are in the ECF as is.

Health had a major impact, but I disagree pretty much entirely that this team even healthy would’ve passed the Canes. They would’ve given a better challenge that’s for sure, they basically had not shot with all the injuries, but I’ve seen this team play shitty hockey for like 80% of the year this year. Not confident whatsoever they would’ve won that series. The Canes are a better hockey team than ours at this point. Florida is just on another level.

 

[ZachaFlockaFlame]

Health had a major impact, but I disagree pretty much entirely that this team even healthy would’ve passed the Canes. They would’ve given a better challenge that’s for sure, they basically had not shot with all the injuries, but I’ve seen this team play shitty hockey for like 80% of the year this year. Not confident whatsoever they would’ve won that series. The Canes are a batter hockey team than ours at this point. Florida is just on another level.

Ignoring the fact the Canes scored more on the Devils powerplay than they did in that series while the Devils were better 5v5 without their superstar 1C and Dennis f***ing Cholowski playing big minutes on the road is disingenuous.

And I don't get the logic that Carolina is better than us, that team has Jordan Staal at 2C and dumping 5M+ into Kotkaniemi to sit in the box while Brindamour is dressing dudes for 1 minute in a period. They have our number, cool, it doesn't mean they're better. Remember when the Shero Devils would kill the prime Penguins every year in their rebuild days? The Canes are a bad matchup more than anything, roster wise I take our core 10/10 before theirs and it's not even close. Also lol @ that last sentence, it took how long for Barkov to achieve anything down there? They won the cup in his 11th year and became relevant 10 years after his draft selection.

 

[Devs3cups]

Ignoring the fact the Canes scored more on the Devils powerplay than they did in that series while the Devils were better 5v5 without their superstar 1C and Dennis f***ing Cholowski playing big minutes on the road is disingenuous.

I 100% mentioned the injuries, multiple times. I’m not ignoring anything. The fact that the team’s PP sucked in the playoffs is a strike against them. It happens in small sample sizes sure, but I don’t see why it should be used to explain that the Canes aren’t better lol. They neutralized the Devils PP and they scored a few PK goals. They did good. I was glad with our team’s 5v5 play. Unfortunately, special teams matter a lot in the playoffs and they killed us in that regard.

And I don't get the logic that Carolina is better than us, that team has Jordan Staal at 2C and dumping 5M+ into Kotkaniemi to sit in the box while Brindamour is dressing dudes for 1 minute in a period. They have our number, cool, it doesn't mean they're better. Remember when the Shero Devils would kill the prime Penguins every year in their rebuild days? The Canes are a bad matchup more than anything, roster wise I take our core 10/10 before theirs and it's not even close.

I think they’re better. They play better as a unit overall imo, they have way better depth. Long term, I take our situation and our core for sure. I take our core right now. But their depth and system/forecheck is really good, compared to ours. I don’t really care about the pieces they have right now, they have better results than us whether we like it or not.

Also lol @ that last sentence, it took how long for Barkov to achieve anything down there? They won the cup in his 11th year and became relevant 10 years after his draft selection.

Sure. What does that have to do with what the Panthers are right now? As of right now, they’re 100% on another level.

 

[thebeernerd]

Imo we have a coach who will have us play a style that will thrive in the playoffs. We’re not there yet from a roster standpoint.

 

[Devs3cups]

Imo we have a coach who will have us play a style that will thrive in the playoffs. We’re not there yet from a roster standpoint.

100% what I believe. The fact that the series was even competitive with the roster we were icing is a huge plus on Keefe.

 

[ZachaFlockaFlame]

I 100% mentioned the injuries, multiple times. I’m not ignoring anything. The fact that the team’s PP sucked in the playoffs is a strike against them. It happens in small sample sizes sure, but I don’t see why it should be used to explain that the Canes aren’t better lol. They neutralized the Devils PP and they scored a few PK goals. They did good.

I think they’re better. They play better as a unit overall imo, they have way better depth. Long term, I take our situation and our core for sure. I take our core right now. But their depth and system/forecheck is really good, compared to ours. I don’t really care about the pieces they have right now, they have better results than us whether we like it or not.

Sure. What does that have to do with what the Panthers are right now? As of right now, they’re 100% on another level.

And their stars flat out f***ing blow when push comes to shove. Where's Aho been the past 2 games? Svech arguably lost them last night out the gate. If Bratt/Nico/Jack ever did that, we'd have trade proposals in the playoff thread. I really don't get the nut hugging some of you do on this board with Carolina.

Lol really? Bratt and Nico are in year 8, Jack is in year 6. Cups aren't a thing that just randomly happen overnight. The Hawks/Penguins legendary cores have brain rotted hockey fans that you win right away. It's taken McDavid/Drai 9/10 years to get to the pinnacle of the sport respectively and they STILL MIGHT FAIL AGAIN this year.

 

[Triumph]

My observation from last night was that Florida was doing what Carolina tries to do, only better. It stands to reason that a team that can beat either one can certainly compete against both.

 

[Devs3cups]

Lol really? Bratt and Nico are in year 8, Jack is in year 6. Cups aren't a thing that just randomly happen overnight. The Hawks/Penguins legendary cores have brain rotted hockey fans that you win right away. It's taken McDavid/Drai 9/10 years to get to the pinnacle of the sport respectively and they STILL MIGHT FAIL AGAIN this year.

I feel like we’re talking past each other. Where did I mention that the team had to win a Cup now? I never even talked about the Cup once. I understand it takes time, and that most of our core has some years left. I was basically saying that the team isn’t yet on the level of the best teams in the league right now. How’s that not true?

Am I confident they’ll get to that level eventually? Absolutely. I like the coach, I like the core, I like a lot of the prospects we have, and I truly believe this team is a few solid depth pieces away from being a very solid team. I don’t get what’s so wrong with what I’m saying tbh.

 

[Goptor]

This years Hurricanes is the worst team they've put together in the past 5 years. They have 1 good defense pair and they use them to shutdown opposing teams' top lines. That is why they have been so good at home, yet a mess away.

The Devils had a top line of Bratt-Hischier-Meier for half the series and they got shut down. They didn't have enough talent on the 2nd and 3rd lines to make a difference and Dowling is so poor in the hockey IQ department that all he ever did was skate the puck past center ice and dump it down the ice for the other team to get. Put Hughes and Bratt together, let them get shut down and then have Meier and Hischier feast on their weak defense. They also get to drop Dowling and have an actual NHLer on the 4th line so there's pressure out there on the ice. This team beats Carolina if they are healthy, its not a bad matchup.

There's a reason the odds makers dropped the devils like a rock and why the Devils went from a team comfortably ahead of the Canes in the standings to finishing with the same points as the rebuilding 2024 Capitals - Hughes got injured.

 

[ZachaFlockaFlame]

I feel like we’re talking past each other. Where did I mention that the team had to win a Cup now? I never even talked about the Cup once. I understand it takes time, and that most of our core has some years left. I was basically saying that the team isn’t yet on the level of the best teams in the league right now. How’s that not true?

Am I confident they’ll get to that level eventually? Absolutely. I like the coach, I like the core, I like a lot of the prospects we have, and I truly believe this team is a few solid depth pieces away from being a very solid team. I don’t get what’s so wrong with what I’m saying tbh.

Because you're bemoaning that the Devils level is so far away from the Panthers when we don't know how things shake year to year. The Panthers are also the Ironic example since I was pointing out that the Panthers core was looked at to break out multiple times while Barkov/Ekblad have been there and it took a trade of Matthew Tkachuk, Sam Reinhart and Sam Bennett for them to fully get good.

 

[Devs3cups]

Because you're bemoaning that the Devils level is so far away from the Panthers when we don't know how things shake year to year.

So should I have said "the 2024-2025 New Jersey Devils were far away from the 2024-2025 Florida Panthers"?

Of course the gap between NJD and FLA could get smaller next year, but I don't suddenly expect our team to be better than the Panthers next year (especially if they have the same roster. Losing Bennett and Ekblad could definitely hurt). Don't think it's unfair to say that NJD is behind them.

For the record, I 100% expect the Devils to be better next season, I absolutely expect the depth to be reinforced.

The Panthers are also the Ironic example since I was pointing out that the Panthers core was looked at to break out multiple times while Barkov/Ekblad have been there and it took a trade of Matthew Tkachuk, Sam Reinhart and Sam Bennett for them to fully get good.

I have no issue with our core. Hopefully our team can also add upgrades that will take our team to the next level, like the Panthers did.

 

[JK3]

Seems like I touched a nerve lol. We had one f***ing forward out, one. Yeah we had a bazillion out on defense.

Does that excuse the other healthy guys that were in the lineup to be completely out of shape so bad to the point where they’re gassed in game five?

Are they skating on their shoulders or something?

 

[Dylan9z9]

So should I have said "the 2024-2025 New Jersey Devils were far away from the 2024-2025 Florida Panthers"?

Of course the gap between NJD and FLA could get smaller next year, but I don't suddenly expect our team to be better than the Panthers next year (especially if they have the same roster. Losing Bennett and Ekblad could definitely hurt). Don't think it's unfair to say that NJD is behind them.

For the record, I 100% expect the Devils to be better next season, I absolutely expect the depth to be reinforced.


I have no issue with our core. Hopefully our team can also add upgrades that will take our team to the next level, like the Panthers did.

You are forgetting one X factor and that's Fitz I don't see that happening until they get a real GM.

 

[JK3]

Devils were top-1 team in hits when played vs Canes. I dont think they are ready to compete vs panthers but this is why experience is need for.

I think the hits stat is very flawed. It pretty much means you don’t have the puck a lot and you’re trying to get it back. It’s kind of relevant if you’re heavy for checking team which we aren’t but yeah.

 

[Emperoreddy]

The woe is me stuff is old hat.

Their best player was out, he isnt just "one forward" he is one of the best centers in the league.

Bratt's shoulder was f***ed. The entire D was hurt.

Despite that they were in every game besides Game 1.

They absolutely could have beaten Carolina if they were healthy and then Washington afterward.

Florida probably not, the lack of depth scoring would have caught them, but they would have been able to hang.

 

[SteveCangialosi123]

Seems like I touched a nerve lol. We had one f***ing forward out, one. Yeah we had a bazillion out on defense.

Does that excuse the other healthy guys that were in the lineup to be completely out of shape so bad to the point where they’re gassed in game five?

Are they skating on their shoulders or something?

The best center in franchise history, btw.

 

[Guadana]

I think the hits stat is very flawed. It pretty much means you don’t have the puck a lot and you’re trying to get it back. It’s kind of relevant if you’re heavy for checking team which we aren’t but yeah.

I understand it but Florida are number 1 team in hits per 60 now. Top-5 play off ago.

Devils played much more physical game this season. Physicality isnt enough. Team like Tampa were physical but they were awesomely talented, they had three good defense, at least one very good to elite defenseman on pair, great depth. Its about a lot of things, mostly about depth of the talent. Barkov, Verhagge, Tkachuk, Reinhardt, Bennett, Marchand, and Lundell, Luostarinen and Rodrigez are helping with depth. Devils need more talent. They need healthy Nico and Jack. They will not survive against top teams with this huge gap between top-5 players and others. Carolina and wsh? At least Devils would compete against them when being more healthy.

 

[JK3]

The woe is me stuff is old hat.

Their best player was out, he isnt just "one forward" he is one of the best centers in the league.

Bratt's shoulder was f***ed. The entire D was hurt.

Despite that they were in every game besides Game 1.

They absolutely could have beaten Carolina if they were healthy and then Washington afterward.

Florida probably not, the lack of depth scoring would have caught them, but they would have been able to hang.

What does any of that stuff have to do with the WHOLE ENTIRE TEAM looking like and skating like slow as hell beer league slugs. Stop with the excuses.

Florida went seven games, had one day off and proceeded to destroy the Canes two straight without batting an eye.

We’d be bugs on a windshield at this point. You guys don’t get it. I like our team and our top guys but they aren’t capable of competing against that even at full health.

 

[Edmonton East]

They had that team, they overreacted and blew it up way before they should've and now they're spending time picking up the pieces from the reactionary bomb they threw onto the roster. They also need health at some point for a run, people who are overreacting to what happened Round 1 are finally realizing that if they had health they probably are in the ECF as is.

For the 100th time, THAT team was very fortunate to not lose to the Rags in 5 or less. Akira Schmid played his ass off. Then when he stopped playing out of his mind, the Devs promptly got the piss beat out of them by Carolina in embarrassing fashion. If the Devs lose game 3 2 to 1 in OT despite Schmid playing amazing, the Devs are down 3 to 0 and folks wouldn't still be clinging to this nonsense.

But oh yea, sure, that team was "close". And assuming this team healthy beats the Caps is objectively hilarious. The same Caps that have dominated this core for 5 years or so? Those Caps? The Canes are always a problem for the Caps. Been that way for 3 years btw. Still thought if Protas was healthy, they win that series though. He's that important to that roster (played hurt. clearly impacted imo...and his own interview).

 

[Edmonton East]

I think the hits stat is very flawed. It pretty much means you don’t have the puck a lot and you’re trying to get it back. It’s kind of relevant if you’re heavy for checking team which we aren’t but yeah.

Physicality on the forecheck and, more importantly, in front of the net in the ozone is completely missing from this team. Meier was supposed to help in this regard, but he's a physical perimeter shooter first rather than a net front guy. The Devils, much like every other team that constantly underperforms in reality vs "advanced" scoring metrics, lack a willingness to attack the front of the net. Even worse, they lack any center option that is comfortable in front of the net. Not everyone needs to be, but you need some versatility.

Even if they are in front, they aren't causing chaos and being disruptive. Or the player on the puck doesn't have a willingness to drive the net. Either way, this allows the defense to show less respect to those players and focus on taking away other options. Also makes it a lot easier for the goalie to track the puck. This is a large reason why year after year after year this place whines about constantly getting "goalie'd". No, it isn't just the opposing goalie doing blow before every game.

Florida constantly turns teams over and drives the net. They cause chaos in front. Every game. They have guys willing to play in the dirty area that don't give a F. They routinely crash the net with purpose with 3 forwards that are hungry for the puck....not just going for a stroll or flailing around on the ice the few times they go near the crease.