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

[Eggtimer]

they are not as good as their record, like the Sabres last year, and I see that Sabres are now going through their expected slide down into the basement again after all the optimistic chatter. Devils will likely will cool off with that goaltending tandem. Their trajectory is better than sabres though, there is a good chance next year they can make playoffs.

Um actually they should have a even better record . They are not getting lucky and winning takes they shouldn’t be . They are dismantling teams . Yes , they won’t finish with 150 points or anything … but chances that they make the playoffs THIS year is likely . I can see teams adjusting to our style of play and the Deviks slowing down for little stretches ( like every team , good or bad ) , but I think they are better equipped this year to stop any possible losing streaks before they get out of hand like seasons past

 

[Rebels57]

They have amazing analytics too. The Devils are a legit playoff team this season.

 

[TBF1972]

Devils are playing some great hockey lately.

They are not as good as their 11-3 record of course, no one thinks they will finish the season with 130 points.

That said, they are a very talented young team that appears to have finally put it all together.

Making the playoffs will be a success regardless which round they are eliminated in.

latest round 5. it's still a young team and some of them aren't far removed from their 21st birthday, if at all.

not enough repetition.

 

[Eggtimer]

View attachment 606455

If you exclude like 5 forwards and 1 d-man, its AHL level roster on paper.
and they are still coached by Lindy Ruff... LOL

Strange times in the NHL.

I’m not sure if you are serious or not ?
Who are you thinking the AHL guys are ?
Zetterlund is a rookie , Other then that I’m not sure who you are referring to ? And Zetterlund is playing very well for a rookie ?

 

[HenriquesJawLine]

While many GM's in the league whine about it being so hard to find defenseman Fitzgerald was busy trading for Siegenthaler, Marino, Graves and signing Dougie. Incredible job rebuilding the back end in just a few years.

 

[TBF1972]

Um actually they should have a even better record . They are not getting lucky and winning takes they shouldn’t be . They are dismantling teams . Yes , they won’t finish with 150 points or anything … but chances that they make the playoffs THIS year is likely . I can see teams adjusting to our style of play and the Deviks slowing down for little stretches ( like every team , good or bad ) , but I think they are better equipped this year to stop any possible losing streaks before they get out of hand like seasons past

this year they won't make the play offs, guaranteed.

but this season? call me a beleafer.

 

[1specter]

They are a legit team. The underlying numbers support this too, they're well-rounded top to bottom except for maybe goaltending where they could probably use an upgrade, but that speaks to how good the team is if their starter only has a .909 and 1B has a sub .900 and they still have a record that good.

 

[Pablo El Perro]

They got that Bruno bump.

 

[KovalchukFistPump]

If Vanecek is out for some time, they will probably lose a bunch like they did last year. Though hopefully Daws and Schmid are in a better spot mentally to not pee their pants in the big leagues.

 

[nerevarine]

sometimes bad teams go on winning streaks.

I'd be surprised if they made the playoffs

 

[Eggtimer]

While many GM's in the league whine about it being so hard to find defenseman Fitzgerald was busy trading for Siegenthaler, Marino, Graves and signing Dougie. Incredible job rebuilding the back end in just a few years.

What’s insane ( almost as insane as the OP ‘s take on the Devils ) is that we still have Luke Hughes , Nemec , Mukhamadoulin, Holtz , Casey , Bahl , Okhotiuk , etc etc , that are all coming yet ….
That’s two D prospects (top 5 at the least ) in the world coming up …
Plus enough cap flexibility next year to add another significant piece ( hopefully scoring winger ) .
So imagine replacing Graves or Smith with Luke Hughes eventually … add in Nemec and Holtz and/or a player like Meier ?!
Yes please

sometimes bad teams go on winning streaks.

I'd be surprised if they made the playoffs

Cool story . Tell me more

 

[MakoSlade]

I’m not sure if you are serious or not ?
Who are you thinking the AHL guys are ?
Zetterlund is a rookie , Other then that I’m not sure who you are referring to ? And Zetterlund is playing very well for a rookie ?

I've seen what you quoted before...Devils vs OTT GDT?

Is this going to be a thing now, every team (you're mad at) minus 5 forwards and a Dman is an AHL squad?

 

[ZachaFlockaFlame]

Man this is one of the laziest complaints I've seen. I can buy something like Devils are getting lucky or its early or weak schedule or pretty much anything and say "yeah thats a fair opinion, youre entitled to it"

But George comes in here, stomping the ground like "they are the same team with same coaches" when we literally have 4 new coaches, new starting goalie, new top 4 dman and bunch of new forwards.

Get out.

I don't even buy this, Ottawa isn't as bad as their record says and neither are the Flames. Vancouver, I'm pretty sure was on a W2 when we played them. And if they were barely escaping every game with 4-3 OT games even the really bad ones, I'd agree about the schedule but they're legit caving teams into the ground with the exception of Tuesday v Flames which they got insanely lucky to win because Vanecek was god mode.

 

[Peltz]

I'm not a Devils fan but I have to say this isn't one of your better threads. The Devils would have been midpack last year if they had average goaltending. It's been a couple years since they were trash.

And they've really been wrecking teams this year. They could be 13-1. Young players stepping up, not that complicated.

Yea I hate the Devils, but they actually were a better team than their record last year. This post is spot on.

 

[Mrb1p]

Looking st their roster I see a lot of talent, unsure what the problem is lol. It is actually pretty stacked.

 

[Czechboy]

I may be bias because of Vanecek and Palat but I expected them to be good. Some real nice pieces all through the lineup.

American Thanksgiving is a measuring stick for playoffs and they should be in a playoff spot when that happens.

 

[VivaLasVegas]

This, they also are healthy at the moment. And they also added two new coaches that have brought some new ideas to the table with ruff. The way their offense plays is similar to Floridas when Brunnette was coaching them and he was brought in.

Last year they had solid metrics and could score. Their goaltending is what killed them. They went though 7 goalies last year as well.

Seems like the Devils also got hit with COVID absentees at critical times early in the 21-22 season so that they never were able to form much cohesion.

 

[Eggtimer]

I've seen what you quoted before...Devils vs OTT GDT?

Is this going to be a thing now, every team (you're mad at) minus 5 forwards and a Dman is an AHL squad?

I’m sorry but , what ? I’m not sure what you are saying / asking . I haven’t shit on any teams in their GDT . Only one was Edmonton when certain posters were saying the Devils are a joke of a franchise that benifitted only by lucking into 1 overall picks . Definition of the pot calling the kettle black .
If you took me as shitting on a team and am “mad at” , my apologies

 

[AfroThunder396]

I may be bias because of Vanecek and Palat but I expected them to be good. Some real nice pieces all through the lineup.

American Thanksgiving is a measuring stick for playoffs and they should be in a playoff spot when that happens.

Vanacek has been the real difference maker. He had a pretty rough first week, but since then he's been good in every game. He stole our last game against Calgary when we finally got outshot by an opponent.

We don't need him to be Marty Brodeur, if he can just be competent and not lose us games then NJ will ahve all it needs to be a strong team. But he took a nasty hit to the head from Chabot last night and left the game, so hopefully he'll be okay. NJ are screwed without him.

And Palat has only played 5 games this year before having groin surgery. Imagine getting Ondrej Palat as a deadline acquisition, only he didn't cost anything. That will be great.

 

[flyerslducks]

If Vanecek is out for some time, they will probably lose a bunch like they did last year. Though hopefully Daws and Schmid are in a better spot mentally to not pee their pants in the big leagues.

Team is a lot different. They’ll probably lose a few more but still win, I don’t think injuries to their goalies will be exactly like last year where the losses just piled up

 

[SJinNewJersey]

View attachment 606455

If you exclude like 5 forwards and 1 d-man, its AHL level roster on paper.
and they are still coached by Lindy Ruff... LOL

Strange times in the NHL.

 

[BHD]

They can roll four lines and have six capable defenders. Say what you want about Ruff, but he has a good team to work with. Goaltending is the only thing making you hold your breath.

 

[Czechboy]

Vanacek has been the real difference maker. He had a pretty rough first week, but since then he's been good in every game. He stole our last game against Calgary when we finally got outshot by an opponent.

We don't need him to be Marty Brodeur, if he can just be competent and not lose us games then NJ will ahve all it needs to be a strong team. But he took a nasty hit to the head from Chabot last night and left the game, so hopefully he'll be okay. NJ are screwed without him.

And Palat has only played 5 games this year before having groin surgery. Imagine getting Ondrej Palat as a deadline acquisition, only he didn't cost anything. That will be great.

It really sucks about Palat... he beat Pastrnak for Czech player of the year and was peaking. 5 games and surgery. If you make playoffs, you'll love him.

Didn't know about Vanecek.. that sucks! I think he's our current best goalie but, agree, he's not winning a Vezina. More of a steady presence. Big fan to be honest. Time to google his head or neck injury.

 

[Baaaaaaaaaaaaah]

Hughes throwing his stick into the crowd was the turning point.

 

[FinnishDevil]

I don't even buy this, Ottawa isn't as bad as their record says and neither are the Flames. Vancouver, I'm pretty sure was on a W2 when we played them. And if they were barely escaping every game with 4-3 OT games even the really bad ones, I'd agree about the schedule but they're legit caving teams into the ground with the exception of Tuesday v Flames which they got insanely lucky to win because Vanecek was god mode.

Yeah I'm not saying I would agree with someone, but I would be fine with it. Everyone ranks the teams their own way. I think its too early to say what teams are good or bad, which is why I wouldnt go too far with the schedule thing. Someone could say "okay you beat Avs, Flames and Oilers but you lost to Flyers, Wings and Caps" and I could buy that.

That would be 100% more legit reasoning than "roster is the same" lol