GDT: r1g5

[BrindAmours Army]

I like how even the admins knew what was coming with the power of punctuation and just put up the Devils GDT first thing this morning.

#favoritism

 

[chaz4hockey]

Stakes will be higher in the next round(s) but the expected physicality will skyrocket, particularly if against the Caps & Cats. Having Nikishin on the ice could be important.

Contrarian view of course.

 

[AhosDatsyukian]

I understand the POV of people who think it makes sense to keep sitting Nikishin. I just don't agree with it. Nikishin could potentially have an immediate huge impact on this team just like Makar did when Colorado immediately slotted him in on PP1 and big minutes in the playoffs as a rookie straight from the NCAA. I'm NOT saying Nikishin will be as good as Makar, just that there is precedent for teams throwing a guy in the deep end in the playoffs from the start and it working out. Nikishin's talent and physicality (huge for playoffs) are undeniable. And keeping him out of the lineup because of Shayne Gostisbehere or Sean Walker is just a mistake if you ask me. Of course Rod's decision doesn't surprise me, but I personally would be playing him and seeing what we have in him. Sure it's risky to a degree but the reward is just so damn high that it's worth it in my view.

 

[robbieberns]

this particular game feels like a rare opportunity to throw him into the one playoff game where you can afford to risk giving a guy his debut

 

[Nikishin al Gaib]

No Nikishin

Freddie is out, Martin is backing up Kooch

 

[HisIceness]

Whatever the lineup is, just f***ing win please

 

[Borsig]

Of course no andersen (rest probable wise even if he can go) and nikishin Because f*** you.

 

[CandyCanes]

We got an injury at goalie. Time for Nikishin to gear up

 

[LakeLivin]

Even with no Boom tonight I wouldn't rule him out for the rest of the playoffs even if there are no injuries. Granted, the competition gets harder the further they advance. But a win tonight presumably gets Rod a chance to run him in a couple more full team practices, which could be very valuable. And while I don't see the Borg (probably mostly Dundon) telling Rod he has to play Nikishin, I could see it influencing him through a risk/ reward type discussion. I don't think that Rod is totally intractable. I'm not saying I'm expecting this, just not ruling it out.

 

[chaz4hockey]

No Nikishin

Freddie is out, Martin is backing up Kooch

Blender lineup after a nice win. Interesting choice.

 

[MinJaBen]

!

 

[CanesUltimate11]

Blender lineup after a nice win. Interesting choice.

Not much of blender, just swapping Jarvis and Carrier.

 

[Surrounded By Ahos]

B T A

 

[Borsig]

I dont get the carrier up thing. He hasn't done shit.

It would be funny if jersey knocked out Freddie with thier intentional goaltender running only to get beast mode nyetkov.

 

[Blueline Bomber]

I dont get the carrier up thing. He hasn't done shit.

It would be funny if jersey knocked out Freddie with thier intentional goaltender running only to get beast mode nyetkov.

Svech didn't do shit until you complained about him last game. I appreciate you calling out Carrier in the hopes that that continues

 

[Nikishin al Gaib]

B T A

 

[Joe McGrath]

I dont get the carrier up thing. He hasn't done shit.

It would be funny if jersey knocked out Freddie with thier intentional goaltender running only to get beast mode nyetkov.

For a playoff home game, moving to KK’s line from Staal’s isn’t a promotion. Especially with Jarvis - that line is going to play more than KK’s without question.

 

[ZachaFlockaFlame]

I understand the POV of people who think it makes sense to keep sitting Nikishin. I just don't agree with it. Nikishin could potentially have an immediate huge impact on this team just like Makar did when Colorado immediately slotted him in on PP1 and big minutes in the playoffs as a rookie straight from the NCAA. I'm NOT saying Nikishin will be as good as Makar, just that there is precedent for teams throwing a guy in the deep end in the playoffs from the start and it working out. Nikishin's talent and physicality (huge for playoffs) are undeniable. And keeping him out of the lineup because of Shayne Gostisbehere or Sean Walker is just a mistake if you ask me. Of course Rod's decision doesn't surprise me, but I personally would be playing him and seeing what we have in him. Sure it's risky to a degree but the reward is just so damn high that it's worth it in my view.

Just wanted to pop and say this also kinda applied to Luke in our series in 2023, it's so annoying to see older coaches not give young stud dmen a chance in the case they f*** up versus already NHLer with limited ceilings/upside but the latter give the benefit of the doubt because of "resume". Nishikin should be playing for you guys on the basis of fixing the PP1 for the upcoming rounds. It's happened to the Devils in this series as well, Keefe was hesitant to play Nemec Game 1 and the guy has been our best defender on our side since. Casey not being played for the sake of him being young while Dougie is farting around on the PP1 to an 0/15 series and taking penalties left and right.

 

[Wolfpuck]

Well Kochetkov, here’s yet another opportunity to show you can be the guy.

Let’s hope this doesn’t go off the rails so we can get this done and rest up for the next round.

 

[DaveG]

Just wanted to pop and say this also kinda applied to Luke in our series in 2023, it's so annoying to see older coaches not give young stud dmen a chance in the case they f*** up versus already NHLer with limited ceilings/upside but the latter give the benefit of the doubt because of "resume". Nishikin should be playing for you guys on the basis of fixing the PP1 for the upcoming rounds. It's happened to the Devils in this series as well, Keefe wasn't hesitant to play Nemec Game 1 and the game has been our best defender on our side since. Casey not being played for the sake of him being young while Dougie is farting around on the PP1 to an 0/15 series and taking penalties left and right.

in Nikishin's case I'd say it's more fixing PP2 since Ghost has been alright at PP1 - I think our biggest issue there is not having a good net-front guy with you guys having Noesen now.

now Ghost at even strength? ho boy, that's been an adventure and I'd 100% consider making the move from that standpoint alone. The other would be having him rotate in for Burns for a game on his off side, especially since that doesn't affect the iron man streak. Walker could also make sense but IMO he's actually been pretty decent this series, not a huge impact guy but the issue's been on the other side of the pair at 5 on 5 when you guys can get sustained pressure on that pairing.

 

[To Be Determined]

Or if someone gets dinged up. The Canes are playing a team that’s playing their #10 defenseman tonight.

my sources say Mike Card is drawing in!

 

[Stickpucker]

Woohoo!

It's gameday!

 

[bleedgreen]

I understand the POV of people who think it makes sense to keep sitting Nikishin. I just don't agree with it. Nikishin could potentially have an immediate huge impact on this team just like Makar did when Colorado immediately slotted him in on PP1 and big minutes in the playoffs as a rookie straight from the NCAA. I'm NOT saying Nikishin will be as good as Makar, just that there is precedent for teams throwing a guy in the deep end in the playoffs from the start and it working out. Nikishin's talent and physicality (huge for playoffs) are undeniable. And keeping him out of the lineup because of Shayne Gostisbehere or Sean Walker is just a mistake if you ask me. Of course Rod's decision doesn't surprise me, but I personally would be playing him and seeing what we have in him. Sure it's risky to a degree but the reward is just so damn high that it's worth it in my view.

Is it our pov or are people just saying “This is what Rod is going to do because he is who he is”.

Doesn’t mean people agree with him. Just acknowledging that’s what’s likely to happen.

 

[Unsustainable]

I'd definitely start Nikishin

 

[AhosDatsyukian]

in Nikishin's case I'd say it's more fixing PP2 since Ghost has been alright at PP1 - I think our biggest issue there is not having a good net-front guy with you guys having Noesen now.

now Ghost at even strength? ho boy, that's been an adventure and I'd 100% consider making the move from that standpoint alone. The other would be having him rotate in for Burns for a game on his off side, especially since that doesn't affect the iron man streak. Walker could also make sense but IMO he's actually been pretty decent this series, not a huge impact guy but the issue's been on the other side of the pair at 5 on 5 when you guys can get sustained pressure on that pairing.

Personally I'm not a fan of Ghost on the PP. PP has been good this series but Ghost hasn't really been a big part of the goals, and since returning from injury the PP overall has been atrocious and I fear it'll revert back to that in round 2 with Ghost. But until it starts struggling again I'm ok with Ghost keeping his spot there if he's in the lineup.

An interesting thing about Nikishin is he actually has pretty extensive experience playing PP net front for a D man. SKA didn't use him there as much but Spartak did a lot and it was pretty successful for a while. Knowing Rod though I'd say there's zero chance of seeing that.

I've seen a lot here talk about Burns' ironman streak not being at stake but I'm not sure that's entirely true. There are two different records -- Most consecutive games regular season and Most consecutive games regular season + playoffs. the first is the most common one people refer to and for good reason but the other one is still a thing that counts for something. What that "something" is is entirely up for interpretation but I could easily see Rod counting it and not wanting to screw over a veteran like Burns. Of course you would hope a coach in the playoffs would play the absolute best lineup and ignore a streak like that but coaches are people too.

I don't think there's any chance Rod scratches Burns; if he would that would be my preferred scratch for Nikishin. Either play Nikishin on his off side with Slavin or go Nikishin - Orlov for the language aspect and move Chatty to top pair. But otherwise I totally agree with you on Ghost at 5v5 and I'd scratch him for Nikishin.

All seems to be moot right now though unfortunately. And as much as I want to see Nikishin I definitely don't want to see any of our current 6 get hurt.