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

[SeanMoneyHands]

Lindy Ruff for coach of the year.

 

[nbwingsfan]

Penguins underlying stats are actually very good. 5th best even strength team in the league.

That’s cool.

They’re also two point away from being out of a playoff spot as lost their best D too.

 

[Luigi Lemieux]

That’s cool.

They’re also two point away from being out of a playoff spot as lost their best D too.

They're also two points away from fifth most points in the league. 8-1-1 in their last ten.

If the penguins aren't good there are like five good teams in the league. Pens will finish with 100+ points, like every year for the last 16.

 

[nbwingsfan]

They're also two points away from fifth most points in the league. 8-1-1 in their last ten.

If the penguins aren't good there are like five good teams in the league. Pens will finish with 100+ points, like every year for the last 16.

If you say so!

 

[glenwo2]

Bruins are doing very fine, thank you.

If by "fine", you mean kicking the ever-loving s--t out of teams, then you're right.

They are doing "fine".

I can't wait when these two teams collide.

 

[Stealth JD]

Andrew Brunette is the whole reason they improved. I'll tell you right now, Lindy Ruff is handing the mic to him and he's doing nothing. If you watch them it doesn't look like the kind of boring bland hockey Lindy Ruff coaches. It looks like how Brunette coached Florida last season.

Boldest prediction is Brunette gets another coaching job and the Devils lose their backbone and flirt with the wild card.

it's possible. You saw what happened in Florida when Maurice replaced Brunette.
Same thing is happening in STL. The only major losses from last year's team are Husso, Perron (both to DET) and Jim Montgomery to Boston. Boston is now the best team in the league and the Blues are legitimately terrible. Coaching can be a huge advantage/disadvantage.

 

[glenwo2]

Incorrect.

They were in the playoffs in 2018...not that it means much for the current team as they only lasted 5 games, but it did give Nico, Wood, Severson & Bratt a bit of playoff experience.

Bratt should've gotten more of a run than just one game which was basically a Hynes I-give-up-just-eliminate-us game instead of playing him when the outcome of the series was still in question. One of the many reasons I despise Hynes.

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

if anyone says YEAH BUT THEIR SCHEDULE IS WEAK!, they can't be trusted on anything hockey related, sorry.

the Devils aren't sneaking by and winning a bunch of OT games or shootouts. They have been thoroughly dominant in the first ~1/3rd of the season. Now does that mean they will waltz to 65 wins and the Cup? Absolutely not. But saying "BUT THEIR SCHEDULE!" is loser bullshit.

 

[Based Anime Fan]

The Panthers last year were a juggernaut? Good lord. 2/3 teams that won cups in those seasons were already vet teams that won prior cups with their core. The Blues had numerous post-season exits leading up to that year. The Devils haven't even qualified for playoffs in almost a decade.

They're far more on the Panthers side of that grouping than the Wings, Pens, Blues.

It's been 4 years, genius.

 

[BruinLVGA]

I have not looked back in the thread so I do not know what everyone is referring to, but you were here defending Nico on the Main Board long before it was cool to do so.

Sure did.
It‘s very nice to get a compliment from time to time, thank you!

If by "fine", you mean kicking the ever-loving s--t out of teams, then you're right.

They are doing "fine".

I can't wait when these two teams collide.

Same here!

And the Devils are a shining jewel of a team in the league. What a monster season they‘re having!

 

[Hisch13r]

I think most Devils fans will be happy with just getting into the playoffs, and will take whatever happens there as a good learning experience for what is the youngest team in the league.

No. That’s loser shit. This is a contender. Couldn’t care less if it’s their first year. The bar is higher than “oh I’m just happy to get in” when the team is this good.

 

[Hisch13r]

Lindy Ruff also took that less talented team to the East Finals, in 98, before the cup finals in 99, then 1 win away from the East Finals again in 2001. Then Ruff took a different core of Sabres to two straight East Finals in 06 and 07 (Along with a presidents trophy) ....I'm glad there were "Sorry Lindy" chants.

Dominik Hasek did that.

We don’t just happen to have the puck all the time when Hamilton is out there. He is the guy driving those results. To describe him as “terrible” defensively is absurd — or at least your definition of defense is absurd.

Hamilton is one of the better players in the NHL this season. His in-zone defense isn’t the best, but what’s actually happening when he’s on the ice is as positive as any player in the league. Hence, the highest expected goal share in the league.

He’s always been notoriously low on Dougie.

 

[PK]

Dominik Hasek did that.

By 2007 (the President trophy) Hašek was long gone.

 

[severian]

No. That’s loser shit. This is a contender. Couldn’t care less if it’s their first year. The bar is higher than “oh I’m just happy to get in” when the team is this good.

It's early December. Let's at least see where the team is in March before calling them a contender.

 

[glenwo2]

It's early December. Let's at least see where the team is in March before calling them a contender.

Contender?

I just want the Playoffs.

 

[Tage2Tuch]

Dominik Hasek did that.

Hasek wasn't a Sabre in 05-06. 06-07. But those first years, sure...was still Ruff's team. He coached a defensive style that worked alongside Hasek's brilliance.

 

[Tundra]

Imagine if they improve on the wing?

 

[haak84]

I think the team could use a legit power forward in the top 6 (what team couldnt) paired with Nico. You see how much of an impact a 4th liner like Bastian makes especially on the PP. Could only imagine what that first line would do with Nico and a power forward dominating possession in the O-zone.

Team has the chips to give up as well. 1st rounder is definitely on the table after hitting a few blue chippers over the last decade. Not to mention, their prospect pool is deep.

 

[SteveCangialosi123]

I think the team could use a legit power forward in the top 6 (what team couldnt) paired with Nico. You see how much of an impact a 4th liner like Bastian makes especially on the PP. Could only imagine what that first line would do with Nico and a power forward dominating possession in the O-zone.

Team has the chips to give up as well. 1st rounder is definitely on the table after hitting a few blue chippers over the last decade. Not to mention, their prospect pool is deep.

We saw, they’ve been one of the most dominant lines in the league when they’ve been together.

 

[BlueSeal]

And the delusions of amazement on how the Devils have become such a solid team continue lol.

Present and Future NHL GM’s, take note on how to properly construct a team.

 

[goonybird]

I refuse to let the Devils fans have fun! Why isn't anybody listening?!

 

[Siludin]

The Devils have a top-5 easy schedule every year, so that can't be the reason!

 

[crosby87]

Yet to face Bruins, Stars, Hurricanes, Penguins, Lightning, Panthers, Jets, Wild, Blues, Kings, Golden Knights, Kraken

more like those teams have yet to face the devils

 

[Sidney the Kidney]

Yet to face Bruins, Stars, Hurricanes, Penguins, Lightning, Panthers, Jets, Wild, Blues, Kings, Golden Knights, Kraken

Pens seem to struggle against the Devils even when the Devils sucked and the Pens were powerhouses, so I don't see that changing now that the Devils have improved (although maybe the Pens will finally play up to the level of their opponent rather than down to it).

 

[Dialamo]

Pens seem to struggle against the Devils even when the Devils sucked and the Pens were powerhouses, so I don't see that changing now that the Devils have improved (although maybe the Pens will finally play up to the level of their opponent rather than down to it).

The exact opposite could happen in the future. The NHL regular season is weird in that way!