Why are the Devils 21-4-1? insane easy schedule, makes perfect sense.

[Devils090]

last season whichever AHL/ECHL goalie we threw out there let’s in 2 or 3 goals to Montreal with all their chances in the 1st period last night. Vanacek has been outstanding and the overall team defense has been much better as well.

 

[Mr Bojanglez]

Also just read a stat. Through Nico Hischier's 15 games this season, he's been on the ice for 4 even strength goals. I would need more context around the league / other seasons... but seems pretty good

 

[Jerzey Devil]

The ol George misfire thread.

 

[bossram]

The Devils could still use another top 6 winger. If they want to make noise this playoffs, I would try to get Tarasenko at the deadline even as a rental. Adding him would make their offense lethal. They need players with cups and playoff experience. That's the one weakness on the team currently.

It's not, but Palat will return at some point. He was added to fill that specific role.

Lindy is repeating what he did in 06'-07' with the Sabres. Taking a young, predicted bottom third team and turning them into a power house. He's an underrated coach

FWIW betting markets had the Devils as a playoff bubble team (IIRC their O/U on points was 92.5). Not a bottom-tier team.

Their underlying numbers last season were good, but they made basic mistakes and had disastrous goaltending.

Now their underlying numbers are sizzling, they're cutting down on breakdowns, and Vitek has been solid. The wins are deserved.

 

[PrimumHockeyist]

I agree that the Devil's start makes no sense. So, let's start the season over again.

Signed, Vancouver

 

[PaulD]

The Devils miss Subban

 

[markog]

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..

When was the last winning streak of 10+ without win in a SO? So only regulation+OT wins (like in old days) as NJ has now.

 

[Clam Jensen]

devils fans have known this was what was on the horizon, but holy shit does witnessing it happen in real time feel good.

 

[scoopscj]

I still have Devils PTSD. (No offense to people with real PTSD). I still get nervous with a two goal, three goal, even a four goal lead. Just waiting for the bottom to fall out. I want to believe we’ve rounded the corner but I seen the story play out way too many times in my life. I got admit it does look pretty good with the underlying numbers.

 

[John Price]

Ain Vanachek won like 7 straight or something

Good guy. Wish we had kept him here

 

[TheBeastCoast]

Excited to see the Leafs play them tonight. Only seen bits and pieces so far this season. Knowing the Leafs we will beat the Devils tonight and then lose to Buffalo on Saturday though lol

 

[Habs 4 Life]

Very impressed by the Devils, they're a really fast team, first on every puck.

 

[AfroThunder396]

Last year the Devils only had Hischier, Hughes, and Hamilton dress for the same game 12 times. They likely wouldn't have made the playoffs, but probably would have been in the 80-85 point range.

Instead they missed the playoffs, won a lottery spot, and grabbed Simon Nemec for free. Thanks, NHL!

 

[TGWL]

Young teams come out every night and compete. Some teams might be better "on paper" but that means nothing if you play passionless and coast. They're hungry.

 

[Jerzey Devil]

Just to clear up a common misconception going on in here the only top ten picks the Devils drafted currently playing for them are Nico Hischier and Jack Hughes. Yes both were 1st overall picks but we’ve been told Nico wasn’t the best player from that draft. Dawson Mercer and Mike McLeod are the only other players NJ drafted in the 1st round.

They traded Zacha and Ty Smith who were the other recent 1st round picks.The other 1st round picks over the past 10 seasons were John Quenville and Stephan Matthau.

They picked good with Bratt and Sharangovich both being 5th rounders.

They still have Holtz, L. Hughes, and Nemec coming up as top 10 picks. They still have Mukhamadulin and Stillman coming up as 1st round picks.

So yes the Devils have been picking high for a while now but most of those haven’t even made the team yet.

 

[theslatcher]

Just to clear up a common misconception going on in here the only top ten picks the Devils drafted currently playing for them are Nico Hischier and Jack Hughes. Yes both were 1st overall picks but we’ve been told Nico wasn’t the best player from that draft. Dawson Mercer and Mike McLeod are the only other players NJ drafted in the 1st round.

They traded Zacha and Ty Smith who were the other recent 1st round picks.The other 1st round picks over the past 10 seasons were John Quenville and Stephan Matthau.

They picked good with Bratt and Sharangovich both being 5th rounders.

They still have Holtz, L. Hughes, and Nemec coming up as top 10 picks. They still have Mukhamadulin and Stillman coming up as 1st round picks.

So yes the Devils have been picking high for a while now but most of those haven’t even made the team yet.

I really wouldn't count Holtz into that.

 

[SeanMoneyHands]

It's not, but Palat will return at some point. He was added to fill that specific role.

Trade for Pat Maroon and the Devils are guaranteed a trip to this years SCF.

 

[Nocashstyle]

Trade for Pat Maroon and the Devils are guaranteed a trip to this years SCF.

The Devils already tried that

 

[TBF1972]

Young teams come out every night and compete. Some teams might be better "on paper" but that means nothing if you play passionless and coast. They're hungry.

they better be hungry. jack needs to bulk up.

 

[SaltNPeca]

Despite the last 2 seasons Tom Fitzgerald has stuck by Ruff, openly stating Ruff was brought in to grow the team's young talent. They've stayed committed to their draft picks and stuck by the coach and players. Musical chairs coaching and roster isn't often a recipe for success either, so for me this is nice to see.

Although Edmonton is being chirped a lot ITT it is kind of the same concept: Patience, loyalty, and internal growth.

It's pretty obvious they're on a hot start, but they're also a good young team that's playing well. There's a lot of parity in the league and very few easy wins.

 

[Nocashstyle]

The Devils have been absolutely gifted with top 10 picks in the draft. Embrace it. It's not a bad thing, it's actually a good way to build. Many teams never get to pick #1 overall (cough Canucks). Devils have racked up 2 1st overall picks in a very short time and have also been handed guys like L. Hughes, Holtz, and Nemec in recent drafts.

Devils fans had to endure a decade of absolutely dreadful hockey. They got lucky winning those lotteries for sure, but they were picking in the top 10 regardless, so they weren’t really “gifted” top 10 picks. But yeah I agree with what you’re saying.

 

[Eggtimer]

I still have Devils PTSD. (No offense to people with real PTSD). I still get nervous with a two goal, three goal, even a four goal lead. Just waiting for the bottom to fall out. I want to believe we’ve rounded the corner but I seen the story play out way too many times in my life. I got admit it does look pretty good with the underlying numbers.

Lol same here. When up in the Habs game , it still felt like the Habs were going to come back… Quick PP goal to make it a one goal game and momentum goes to the Habs . Habs swarm and we cannot clear the zone for multiple shifts in a row and get the game tying goal then collapse and lose by 2

 

[Eggtimer]

How does it not make sense? They've been racking up top 10 picks for a number of years now. They've picked #1 overall a few times, and top 5 a few more times. They SHOULD be a team on the rise at this point.

Picked #1 twice not “few“.
I wouldn’t say “racking “ top 10 picks. Amd some have bust like Zacha ,McLeod , Matteau Quinvile Smith.
It was huge to hit on Bratt , Sharangovich, and trade for Seigenthaler , Marino , sign Dougie .
Its not like a Matthews or McD or Crosby Malkin fell into their laps.
What I’m saying is there was some smart moves made in building the team instead of lucking into a generational talent. Also picks like Holtz Hughes and Nemec habe yet to play really.

 

[Emperoreddy]

Devils fans had to endure a decade of absolutely dreadful hockey. They got lucky winning those lotteries for sure, but they were picking in the top 10 regardless, so they weren’t really “gifted” top 10 picks. But yeah I agree with what you’re saying.

I think the year we drafted Jack we finished like 3rd worst? I can't call that gifted

 

[Jerzey Devil]

I really wouldn't count Holtz into that.

Why not? He isn’t a full time NHLer. He hasn’t even played his rookie season yet. He hasn’t played since like the 4th game of the season.