What is New Jersey thinking?

[Nocashstyle]

If they are uncompetative in the first round, it will reflect poorly on Keefe given his reputation this time of year.

Or, you know, they’re down Jack Hughes, their best defensive defenseman in Siegenthaler, and Hamilton will be playing his first game in a month and a half.

 

[HockeyVirus]

Or, you know, they’re down Jack Hughes, their best defensive defenseman in Siegenthaler, and Hamilton will be playing his first game in a month and a half.

Sure whatever, every team has injuries. There is a difference between winning the cup and being uncompetative in round 1.

Facts are, Keefe went to NJ with the narrative that as the season goes on, his system becomes less effective and he makes no adjustments. So far, the Devils started incredible and as the year has gone on been less and less effective. If it ends with an easy out for Carolina, even missing Hughes it reflects poorly on Keefe.

 

[WhiskeyYerTheDevils]

If they are uncompetative in the first round, it will reflect poorly on Keefe given his reputation this time of year.

I don't really think its gonna reflect much on Keefe. We're missing our best player and best shut down dman - we aren't really expected to be competitive to begin with.

 

[M88K]

What do you think a team like New Jersey is thinking? They will play Carolina on the road. They will then go and play Washington on the road or whoever beats Washington at home (doesn't matter if Montreal surpasses New Jersey in points). The only chance of them playing at home in the Conference Finals is if Ottawa makes it and New Jersey has a better record. They will then be on the road in the Stanley Cup finals.*

So with such little meaning in the regular season games do they even try? Are they double shifting the top line late in the third if it's a tied game because there's still technically a possibility that it matters? Or is there top line even playing? Are they going through the motions or are they treating it like any other regular season game?

What do you think teams that have little to play for right now are doing? Maybe teams collectively and individual players?

*Technically they could be at home but it would take them winning out while St, Louis, Minnesota and Flames making playoffs with 96 or less points and making the Finals and they will likely know if that's even possible before the regular season ends.

They should be thinking, how do we manifest the miracle we're going to need to get by Carolina

 

[Hisch13r]

Hopefully Fitz is thinking that his insane overcorrection of an elite 22-23 team has sunk them and he’ll overcorrected back the other way.

I’m also soooooo f***ing tired of the injury excuse. Sure the injuries didn’t help them be able to turn things around but in the 25 games between Christmas and Jack’s injury we were 27th in the league in pts% and 26th in xG%. Do not bring up the Markstrom injury either as being a factor because we quite literally got the best goaltending in the league while he was out injured. Allen/Daws stopped ~1.25 goals above expected a game over that span. Ignoring that stretch to just try and say this is all injuries is dumb as f*** and being blind to reality.

 

[HugeInTheShire]

Devils record at home 19-16-5
Devils record on the road 22-16-2

They're probably thinking, good thing we're better on the road.

Just kidding, they're getting smoked by Carolina.

 

[thebeernerd]

Nothing. They don't give a shit.

 

[HabzSauce]

Why do you think Ottawa will face them, they’re playing Toronto or TB,
Or maybe your post isn’t clear what you mean.

He's talking round 3

 

[njdevil26]

Not sure what the Devils are thinking honestly. I know I said all this in another thread... but

We were all very down on the team. They have been in somewhat of a spiral since Christmas along with the injuries. I pretty much gave up hope then they beat Minny twice then crushed the Rangers and it got me excited again. They followed that up by getting absolutely destroyed by Boston and Pittsburgh at home then the team did a complete no show against the Islanders.

They are going to get smoked in round 1. I have no idea how anyone is supposed to be excited about this team.... and I doubt the team can just flip a switch and get into playoff intensity mode.

This is not on coaching. I really like everything Keefe has done. This is on players that never showed up this year... Mercer, Palat, Haula. Guys that started off hot then disappeared (Noesen, Cotter) and GM Tom Fitzgerald who saw this team was in trouble after Christmas and needed bottom six depth and did nothing about it until the trade deadline adding Cody Glass (who's been great btw).

 

[FerrisRox]

Facts are, Keefe went to NJ with the narrative that as the season goes on, his system becomes less effective and he makes no adjustments. So far, the Devils started incredible and as the year has gone on been less and less effective. If it ends with an easy out for Carolina, even missing Hughes it reflects poorly on Keefe.

Only a fool would point the finger at Keefe. That would be moronic.

 

[My3Sons]

Sure whatever, every team has injuries. There is a difference between winning the cup and being uncompetative in round 1.

Facts are, Keefe went to NJ with the narrative that as the season goes on, his system becomes less effective and he makes no adjustments. So far, the Devils started incredible and as the year has gone on been less and less effective. If it ends with an easy out for Carolina, even missing Hughes it reflects poorly on Keefe.

I don't think NJ's second half struggles have been an issue with the underlying system. They've made a fair amount of bone headed or lazy plays and just can't shoot straight most games. To my eyes it's more of a players issue than a coaches issue. Sure, losing Jack Hughes and Hamilton and Siegenthaler doesn't help but the rest of the team beyond Bratt and Hischier has struggled to pick up the slack.

 

[thebeernerd]

I don't think NJ's second half struggles have been an issue with the underlying system. They've made a fair amount of bone headed or lazy plays and just can't shoot straight most games. To my eyes it's more of a players issue than a coaches issue. Sure, losing Jack Hughes and Hamilton and Siegenthaler doesn't help but the rest of the team beyond Bratt and Hischier has struggled to pick up the slack.

Especially since there have been moments where everything clicked without those players. I've been of the mind that the Devils are a mentally fragile team for a couple of years now, and even though they've shown more resolve this season, "better than last season" is an insultingly low bar.

 

[Dirty Dan]

Any team is cooked without their top C

 

[Breakers]

They are thinking their owner gets playoff revenue and TV revenue for those 2 home games

But let’s be honest
Who does any damage without their 1st line center

 

[Golden_Jet]

They are thinking their owner gets playoff revenue and TV revenue for those 2 home games

Also keep in mind, 35% of playoff ticket sales goes to revenue sharing.

 

[The Abusement Park]

I think the Devils shouldn't even play a single game in round 1. They should give up.

 

[WPGDEVILS]

I’m thinking that we are cooked and just hopping it’s competitive. A team built around having two 1cs with one being more offensive and the other taking the matchup, taking away one kinda ruins it. Not to mention the injuries on the d side, don’t have any expectations but hoping to be surprised.

 

[banks]

Same thing every 7th or 8th seed is thinking, Pinky. Try to win the Stanley Cup.

 

[Leonardo87]

Please use the series thread, thank you.

Series Talk: - (M2) Carolina Hurricanes Vs (M3) New Jersey Devils