Yeah, and I don’t think any Devils fan is predicting/expecting playoff success (if they make it) this season. Young team learning how to win, but it’s really encouraging the level they’ve maintained these last few weeks.
Why are the Devils 21-4-1? insane easy schedule, makes perfect sense.
- Thread starter Artorius Horus T
- Start date
BLNY
Registered User
They're playing extremely well right now. It's the kind of streak that can set up a season, but they will come back to Earth.
Bratt, Hughes and especially Hischer have played well, but I don't think many would count them as superstars.
Dont get me wrong, I prefer the team game over individuals and have no doubt that this kind of play can lead to a playoff spot and a deep run.
AfroThunder396
[citation needed]
Perhaps many should reconsider.
Riseonfire
Josh Bailey! GAME ONE, TO THE ISLAND!!!
- Nov 8, 2009
- 11,385
- 5,407
Eggtimer
Registered User
What’s crazy to think of is that every game , not everyone is going at the same time.
Bratt was on a heater for a few games while Jack was playing “meh” (but still getting points) and Nico was “”good”.
Then Bratt cooled off and Nico went beastmode . Jack was still “meh”.
Now , Jack has looked better his last two games , Nico was been awesome , but Bratt has had a couple crappy games.
When all 3 are going at the same time…. It will be interesting to see.
That is also with Mercer still not playing like he can.
Whats contributing to the Devils great play goes somewhat unnoticed is :
Hamilton is healthy and playing good
Zetterlund and Tatar are contributing and playing well
Marino has been amazing
Goaltending is much improved
Assistant coaching is vastly improved
All 4 lines are effective
Solid D core 1-6 (Smith is scary to watch though….)
Once Luke Hughes is ready to play and eventually replace Smith …..
Devils also have Nemec ,Holtz , Casey , Mukhamadoulin, Bahl , Okhotiuk , Gritsyuk , etc etc
still coming ….
Plus next off-season we will have cap room to add another good piece to the roster (Meier ?)
Bratt was on a heater for a few games while Jack was playing “meh” (but still getting points) and Nico was “”good”.
Then Bratt cooled off and Nico went beastmode . Jack was still “meh”.
Now , Jack has looked better his last two games , Nico was been awesome , but Bratt has had a couple crappy games.
When all 3 are going at the same time…. It will be interesting to see.
That is also with Mercer still not playing like he can.
Whats contributing to the Devils great play goes somewhat unnoticed is :
Hamilton is healthy and playing good
Zetterlund and Tatar are contributing and playing well
Marino has been amazing
Goaltending is much improved
Assistant coaching is vastly improved
All 4 lines are effective
Solid D core 1-6 (Smith is scary to watch though….)
Once Luke Hughes is ready to play and eventually replace Smith …..
Devils also have Nemec ,Holtz , Casey , Mukhamadoulin, Bahl , Okhotiuk , Gritsyuk , etc etc
still coming ….
Plus next off-season we will have cap room to add another good piece to the roster (Meier ?)
WarriorOfGandhi
Was saying Boo-urns
I remember in a season preview for the Avalanche the year before they won the Cup the lede was something like "this team is going to be good for years to come". That's basically how I feel about NJ. They have no real flaws on their roster and all but one of their core players is under the age of 25.
Eggtimer
Registered User
Give it time. Nico is going to be the next Bergeron .
Jack is going to be a top 10 scorer , Bratt could be as well.
Im not saying it’s a for sure thing but the possibility is there for sure and it’s nkt all that unlikely
Eggtimer
Registered User
What is a superstar ? They are not on the same tier as a McD , Drai , Matthews , MacK , of course , But I’d say they are in the next tier right below? ( Hughes and Bratt)
Being a Devils fan for over 30 years, I can assure you it was not a “fast” rebuild.
mm11
Registered User
Dont fix it if its not broken. Imagine where Florida would be if they hadnt invested 10M per in a Veniza goalie..
Eggtimer
Registered User
If he played like a Vezina goalie throughout his contract it wouldn’t be so bad …
Vanecek is 7-1-0 with a 2.17 gaa and .915 sv%
Obviously Sorokin and Shesterkin are well established and a level above... but I don't think we're sitting back now thinking "wish we had a good goalie"
mm11
Registered User
There’s only like two or three of those guys in the league anyway. Goaltending isn’t holding them back right now, that’s all you can ask for. Long may it continue.
Our biggest issues right now is getting slow starts and dumb penalties. The last 3/4 games especially the Devils have been on their heels in the first and we get bailed out by goaltending. I wonder if a team like the Leafs would be able to take advantage of a slow start and have Matthews/Marner/Nylander/Tavares make them pay and end our streak.
SeanMoneyHands
Registered User
- Apr 18, 2019
- 15,514
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NJ are contenders this year. They will make the playoffs and I wouldn't be surprised to see them make it to the cup final.
mm11
Registered User
lo
long season, game vrs the Isles the devs started strong, played strong and ended strong Didn't see a slow start there or even penalties. Could be a scary scary team this year. heck, they already are.
RANDOMH3RO
Registered User
- Jan 19, 2007
- 1,705
- 839
vanecek has done everything the devils could ask from him this season. He’s given them a momentum shifting save, or keeping it tied in the first save many times already. It would be nice to have the peace of mind if knowing there was a shesterkin or vasi or sorokin back there, but the team game they are playing helps themselves and helps the goaltending. Goalie is bailing the skaters out early, and the skaters are giving it all and blocking shots late in games holding leads.
Ghetto in the woods sounds cool same with place where clerks was filmed but i always wanted to go see jewsAll my out laws. They're from the "Swamps and Toxic Waste" area on the totally accurate map of NJ. "Love" that state. Chef's kiss.
Artorius Horus T
sincerety
Not gonna last, highly doubt it. 10 game winning streak seen this so many times.
Wouldn't be surprising if they would lose 10+ games in a row at some point of the season.
They are playing far beyond their capabilities + super easy schedule to start the season
facts are these; last 9 wins (in a row) versus
Canadiens, Coyotes, struggling Flames x 2,
struggling Oilers, Canucks, Blue Jackets
and when they won the Avs, they were
still underachieving back then, a lot.
+ two other wins from vs Ducks and Sharks
13 wins; Ducks, Sharks, Canadiens, Coyotes, Canucks, Blue Jackets,
Oilers, Avalanche and twice the Flames with Islanders and Red Wings
8 wins versus teams that didn't make the play-offs last season
and the rest 5 wins versus teams that are/were struggling/underachieving
smokes, mirrors, bubbles...
laugh all you can, ha ha..
Wouldn't be surprising if they would lose 10+ games in a row at some point of the season.
They are playing far beyond their capabilities + super easy schedule to start the season
facts are these; last 9 wins (in a row) versus
Canadiens, Coyotes, struggling Flames x 2,
struggling Oilers, Canucks, Blue Jackets
and when they won the Avs, they were
still underachieving back then, a lot.
+ two other wins from vs Ducks and Sharks
13 wins; Ducks, Sharks, Canadiens, Coyotes, Canucks, Blue Jackets,
Oilers, Avalanche and twice the Flames with Islanders and Red Wings
8 wins versus teams that didn't make the play-offs last season
and the rest 5 wins versus teams that are/were struggling/underachieving
smokes, mirrors, bubbles...
laugh all you can, ha ha..
I see you have gone with the tried and true "doubling down" philosophy that seems to work oh so well.
