GDT: Sabres @ Devils - 7 P.M. - MSGSN/MSGSNZ1-Z2

[guitarguyvic]

The Devils were significantly better this game than last game.

Defense was awful both nights but the offense was better tonight.

Especially when you factor in that the Caps are worse than Buffalo, imo.

Pfft. In an xG world, we don't factor little things into the equation like how talented the other team is.

 

[Lou Bloom]

That looked a lot closer to last year's team, were able to control the puck and create sustained pressure majority of the game. That was also the best game Holtz has played in the NHL, even apart from his goal he created multiple scoring chances.

 

[BronzeAgeDevilsFan]

also have to factor in Buffalo was down a dman and their starting goalie.

overall effort needs to improve

 

[DerekDevils30]

The D was meh in the first, bad in the second, good in the third. Maybe overall better than the Caps game but still not up to par.

They got a lot better when they stopped trying to force the cute cross ice passes. They were doing it all 1st and 2nd which got them in trouble in transition. They cut that shit out in the 3rd and voila. Guys are in position and give up hardly anything.

 

[Devils731]

Pshhh. In an xG world, we don't factor little things into the equation like how talented the other team is.

By xG for tonight’s game, the Devils 2nd best player at 5 on 5 was Dawson Mercer who we all think played like garbage tonight.

 

[Maine Fan]

Moving onto the Wild.

5-4 it's a win.

 

[njdevils1982]

two points from slugtown....nice

 

[Hisch13r]

The 2nd period alone of this one felt like more ridiculously high danger chances given up than the entirety of the Washington game. We just got an exceptional goaltending performance in that period (followed by dookie in the 3rd).

Yup. The Caps game the issue in the first was more god awful offense than bad defense. Then they ran them over in the 2nd and the majority of the 3rd after the bad start. The bad first and bad start to the 3rd don’t look as bad if Schmid could stop anything and Vitek doesn’t let in the poor 2nd one. That game was clearly better to me.

 

[jkrdevil]

also have to factor in Buffalo was down a dman and their starting goalie.

overall effort needs to improve

Well we were down our captain and didn’t have a goalie either.

 

[Guadana]

fun win. this is our hockey for the first half of the season. Chill, people. No defense, fun offense.

 

[Blackjack]

also have to factor in Buffalo was down a dman and their starting goalie.

overall effort needs to improve

the two of them combined might equal half a Hischier

 

[Hisch13r]

By xG for tonight’s game, the Devils 2nd best player at 5 on 5 was Dawson Mercer who we all think played like garbage tonight.

First game he got a shot at all since Arizona! Plan the parade!

 

[ZachaFlockaFlame]

The 2nd period alone of this one felt like more ridiculously high danger chances given up than the entirety of the Washington game. We just got an exceptional goaltending performance in that period (followed by dookie in the 3rd).

Just a weird goalie thing, there's goalies who are ok facing nothing and making multiple huge saves with like 15-16 shots and then there's goalies who need to be utterly peppered to feel like they have in the game and if they face small number of shots then they sell

 

[devilsblood]

Calling this game tighter is a little damning with faint praise. still multiple odd man rushes against, not even counting 3 on 2’s, including a 2 on 0.

But ya, Devils were better tonight because only 1 period was horrifically bad defense and the offense was there most of the night.

But not five 2 on 1’s

3 on 2’s are not near as egregious nor dangerous.

 

[DerekDevils30]

Toffoli is a fun player to watch. Not a great skater but thinks the game at such a high level. Finds himself in prime scoring areas so often.

 

[devilsblood]

First game he got a shot at all since Arizona! Plan the parade!

Oi vey. We get it.

 

[Bcap88]

also have to factor in Buffalo was down a dman and their starting goalie.

overall effort needs to improve

Down hischier>>>>>>>>

 

[longislanddevil]

That looked a lot closer to last year's team, were able to control the puck and create sustained pressure majority of the game. That was also the best game Holtz has played in the NHL, even apart from his goal he created multiple scoring chances.

Agreed. Watching live…he was very noticeable. The kid played a terrific game.

 

[Devils731]

But not five 2 on 1’s

3 on 2’s are not near as egregious nor dangerous.

They gave up at least two 2 on 1’s off the top of my head and a 2 on 0.

Buffalo first goal is a partial breakaway as well.

Tonight may have been tighter defense but I think it’s splitting hairs. It was pretty bad both nights.

 

[ZachaFlockaFlame]

Toffoli is a fun player to watch. Not a great skater but thinks the game at such a high level. Finds himself in prime scoring areas so often.

Which I thought would help Holtz indirectly when they got him lol

 

[Bleedred]

18-4 shots in the 3rd? Saw the W! Can’t wait to watch the highlights.

How did we do? Saw Vitek allowed 4 on 2.63 xGA. How was he?

Fourth goal was a deflating softy on the second shot of the period that he faced, over halfway into the period.

First goal was not good, but I guess semi forgivable, as it didn't go through him or anything, but a longer wrist shot from the top of the circles that whizzed past his glove.

 

[Hisch13r]

lol Another day another game where Luke posts significantly better numbers away from Smith. 16% xGF with and 84% without

 

[devilsblood]

They gave up at least two 2 on 1’s off the top of my head and a 2 on 0.

Buffalo first goal is a partial breakaway as well.

Tonight may have been tighter defense but I think it’s splitting hairs. It was pretty bad both nights.

Ya maybe. Luke giveaway breakaway and Luke fall down 2 on 1.

 

[Hisch13r]

They gave up at least two 2 on 1’s off the top of my head and a 2 on 0.

Buffalo first goal is a partial breakaway as well.

Tonight may have been tighter defense but I think it’s splitting hairs. It was pretty bad both nights.

And another 2 breakaways. They were definitely not tighter defensively tonight. I don’t even agree with the premise they were better offensively.

 

[DerekDevils30]

lol Another day another game where Luke posts significantly better numbers away from Smith. 16% xGF with and 84% without

I love the way he uses the net to his advantage on the breakout. Did it a few times tonight and left the forechecker in the dust. His skating is mesmerizing.