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

[PWiz30]

I dont watch them so not even sure why i am commenting but
--I do like Hischier
--didnt think Hughes would be this good
--kind of wonder/hope if teams slept on them and if that will change
--Gary demands parity

The word may not be out among the casuals around the league, but I'm pretty sure opposing teams aren't sleeping on them.

 

[BlackFrancis]

Is killing off 4 of 5 power plays really a bullet point for the most impressive win of the season?

Regardless, you could tell there was something going on with the Devils in the preseason. Used to be Wood driving the Bruins nuts with the speed, but somehow the entire roster is now flying around like their hair's on fire.

Not sold on their goaltending at all, but I've been wrong plenty. I don't see any chance of that team not being a huge pain the ass going forward.

Someone's going to need to hire Claude Julien to slow those kids down.

 

[BoldNewLettuce]

The word may not be out among the casuals around the league, but I'm pretty sure opposing teams aren't sleeping on them.

Yes i get it---still 2 points to lose every game. Maybe only a factor in terms of generating momentum in the first few games when they sucked and then started going 9-1 or something. They obviously seem like they are rolling now---

I think going on a 10 game streak at the start of the year really helps get teams primed and define their game down the stretch---of course a lot of teams fizzle out as well.

 

[Oneiro]

The question of fizzling out would be relevant if the underlying numbers weren't so strong. Maybe some of it will come down a bit but mediocre teams don't post these kind of results.

What you can say about them is that they're due for more pucks going in and maybe need a bit more finish (which is hilarious since they're one of the top scoring teams). A lot of these games during the streak should have been over in regulation given the shots being put up.

 

[Hisch13r]

We have more games OVER 70% xG than we do in the 60s or 50s. 6 over 70% and 5 for each of 50s and 60s. Only one under 50%

 

[BoldNewLettuce]

The question of fizzling out would be relevant if the underlying numbers weren't so strong. Maybe some of it will come down a bit but mediocre teams don't post these kind of results.

What you can say about them is that they're due for more pucks going in and maybe need a bit more finish (which is hilarious since they're one of the top scoring teams). A lot of these games during the streak should have been over in regulation given the shots being put up.

im saying generally that is what happens in the league come February

 

[Devils090]

At times tonight the Devils had Hischier, Hughes and Bratt on 3 separate lines lol

They eventually put Bratt and Hughes together which worked out quite well. This team is DEEP.

 

[Emperoreddy]

The word may not be out among the casuals around the league, but I'm pretty sure opposing teams aren't sleeping on them.

As far back as the Vancouver game (which was what? Win 5?) You had Bodreau calling us the best team in hockey.

No way teams are sleeping on us at this point.

 

[Devil made me do it]

Hughes was robbed at least three times tonight. Murray stood on his toes which kept the game close.
The game went in typical Devils fashion. Put pressure on the puck, overwhelm the opponent with speed and score goals when they least expect it. Just like in previous games, Leafs were stunned when Bratt scored so quickly to tie it up. They played well up until that point and then the Devils took over. Leafs were gifted by my estimation two penalties which should've never been called. One of those was the Bastian call on goalie interference which was a laughable call.
Hischier dominated on both sides of the ice. This Devils team plays with a lot of heart and unrelenting motor.

 

[BringBackTheRats]

Posting in potentially legendary thread. Hope its being bumped next June.

 

[KovalchukFistPump]

At times tonight the Devils had Hischier, Hughes and Bratt on 3 separate lines lol

They eventually put Bratt and Hughes together which worked out quite well. This team is DEEP.

It’s what happens when the team sucks forever and gets young talent that is A) a bit underpaid and B) all clicks at the same time. Hopefully Bratt buys in and takes a little bit less so Devils can keep side pieces like Sharangovich around.

Also you can’t discount the boost to the locker room that is removing a coaster like Zacha.

 

[Brooklyndevil]

Hughes was robbed at least three times tonight. Murray stood on his toes which kept the game close.
The game went in typical Devils fashion. Put pressure on the puck, overwhelm the opponent with speed and score goals when they least expect it. Just like in previous games, Leafs were stunned when Bratt scored so quickly to tie it up. They played well up until that point and then the Devils took over. Leafs were gifted by my estimation two penalties which should've never been called. One of those was the Bastian call on goalie interference which was a laughable call.
Hischier dominated on both sides of the ice. This Devils team plays with a lot of heart and unrelenting motor.

Although the Leafs tied the score in the third, the Devils looked like a swarm of bees in that period. This is becoming thread . They play so, so in the first and than seem to shift into another gear in the 2nd period and really turn it on in the 3rd.

 

[haak84]

Another game where hischier is the best center on the ice. He had datsyuk like moves tonight as well. He’s a top 5 center in the league this season.

 

[swissexpert]

Captain filthy

 

[NJ07102]

Although the Leafs tied the score in the third, the Devils looked like a swarm of bees in that period. This is becoming thread . They play so, so in the first and than seem to shift into another gear in the 2nd period and really turn it on in the 3rd.

With their relentlessness, four good lines and tremendous speed they just wear the opponents down. That is the reason why the first period doesn't always look as good or as dominant, but this changes the longer the game lasts and opponents get more and more tired. We will see if they can keep this pace up for the whole season, but right now they look like a sure fire playoff team that can beat anybody.

 

[glenwo2]

It’s what happens when the team sucks forever and gets young talent that is A) a bit underpaid and B) all clicks at the same time. Hopefully Bratt buys in and takes a little bit less so Devils can keep side pieces like Sharangovich around.

Also you can’t discount the boost to the locker room that is removing a coaster like Zacha.

Good Joke. Bratt isn't going to break the bank but he certainly isn't going to give a discount either.

 

[glenwo2]

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..

So are the Leafs "underachieving", too?

And oh yeah....where are the Sens in that list, hmm?

 

[Satans Hockey]

There was a stats they showed during the game last night about how they have only trailed like 61 mins during the 10 game streak and then in last night's game after giving up the 1st goal they only trailed for like 24 seconds. Just wild.

 

[ricky0034]

 

[Tufted Titmouse]

It was hard to watch last night as a Leaf fan.

The Devils are basically what we wanted the Leafs to be - young, skilled, fast, tenacious. They've already leapfrogged us, and it really did feel like I was watching our window close right in front of me.

Amazing the kind of depth you can have when your top players are signed to 8 year deals at actual market value rates, rather than 5-6 year deals way above their peers.

Not landing the high AAV UFA was the best thing that could have happened to NJ.

 

[TheUnseenHand]

It was hard to watch last night as a Leaf fan.

The Devils are basically what we wanted the Leafs to be - young, skilled, fast, tenacious. They've already leapfrogged us, and it really did feel like I was watching our window close right in front of me.

Amazing the kind of depth you can have when your top players are signed to 8 year deals at actual market value rates, rather than 5-6 year deals way above their peers.

Not landing the high AAV UFA was the best thing that could have happened to NJ.

Hamilton is a high AAV UFA but Fitzgerald has generally done a great job. Dougie has definitely been worth his contract.

 

[MardyBum]

Just need to wait till April 2nd to say we burnt down all of Canada when the Devils face the Jets.

You know Hellebuyck is gonna throw up a 60 save shutout after they outshoot the Jets 60-24 or something ridiculous

 

[John Pedro]

Nico and Hughes are one the best one-two punch down the middle in the league. Nico is on another level, his line is a nightmare to play against, they're all great forecheckers. Zetterlund is a stud.

If we add another good top6 winger this team gonna be nasty

Pasta would be an insane get if we could pull this off

 

[Devils090]

It was hard to watch last night as a Leaf fan.

The Devils are basically what we wanted the Leafs to be - young, skilled, fast, tenacious. They've already leapfrogged us, and it really did feel like I was watching our window close right in front of me.

Amazing the kind of depth you can have when your top players are signed to 8 year deals at actual market value rates, rather than 5-6 year deals way above their peers.

Not landing the high AAV UFA was the best thing that could have happened to NJ.

Fitz has done an unreal job with the contract situation here

Hischier 7.25 til 2028
Hughes 8 til 2030
Siegenthaler 3.4 til 2028

If they can get Bratt at a reasonable rate then this team is SET for years.

 

[HBK27]