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

[Blender]

Why are the Devils good? I wonder...

 

[Hisch13r]

The advanced stats were excellent last year (at least the ones i pay attention to).........Their goaltending let them down.....

Those same advanced stats are awesome again this year, so this is no surprise to me that they're doing awesome......They'll cool down a bit at some point like almost all teams do over a long season, but if they get goaltending they're not going anywhere......Lindy is a very underrated coach.....

By the way Schmid was crazy good last night.....Very impressive......

They weren't excellent last year but they were above average. We had a pretty middle of the pack skater performance with injuries really hindering Dougie and causing Jack to miss 30+ games so it would've above mid with some health luck.

 

[BKarchitect]

Those possession and fancy stats are insane right now. I’m not sure if it’ll remain quite at this level but they’ve built a team full of speed and puck control and it seems like there is buy in team wide - you need only look at the Avs to see that this is the recipe for success in the current NHL. Add they’ll add their own version of Makar (Hughes) next year as the cherry on top plus still have Nemec and for all intents and purposes Holtz waiting in the wings.

The Sens, Sabres, Wings - all have their own rebuilds going with for the most part plenty of success this year but the Devils look ahead to me because their identity looks the most cohesive and in-sync. When your top guys are dominating the puck and shots for and against and when your lower level depth players are able to play within a system that simplifies and plays to their strengths - you don’t even need a star goalie to be successful.

 

[lomiller1]

The scary part is that they have that record even though their goaltending is still below average. They have basically dominated every team they've played, and that doesn't happen due to luck.

 

[Blender]

They weren't excellent last year but they were above average. We had a pretty middle of the pack skater performance with injuries really hindering Dougie and causing Jack to miss 30+ games so it would've above mid with some health luck.

Our 5on5 scoring was like 7th I think, but we bled goals like crazy due to terrible goaltending and a messy lineup at times. Power play was also a massive joke last season.

While our offense has improved this year for sure, the bigger improvement has been the defensive play.

 

[Hisch13r]

Our 5on5 scoring was like 7th I think, but we bled goals like crazy due to terrible goaltending and a messy lineup at times. Power play was also a massive joke last season.

While our offense has improved this year for sure, the bigger improvement has been the defensive play.

5v5 G/60 was 12th. We really popped off the 2nd half of the year starting in February. We were 5th in 5v5 G/60 in our final 38 games starting February 1st and that's with Jack missing the last month and Dougie not being himself.

 

[Forge]

Those possession and fancy stats are insane right now. I’m not sure if it’ll remain quite at this level but they’ve built a team full of speed and puck control and it seems like there is buy in team wide - you need only look at the Avs to see that this is the recipe for success in the current NHL. Add they’ll add their own version of Makar (Hughes) next year as the cherry on top plus still have Nemec and for all intents and purposes Holtz waiting in the wings.

The Sens, Sabres, Wings - all have their own rebuilds going with for the most part plenty of success this year but the Devils look ahead to me because their identity looks the most cohesive and in-sync.

They definitely won't sustain at this level, but keeping them toward the top of the league would keep them in a really good place if their goaltending can manage to keep around league average. I think that they can do that.

They have two rough stretches of games that may sink these current numbers quite a bit:

 

[TBF1972]

I'd be surprised if you ever watched them play

he did against his oilers and is still bitter about the loss.

Why are the Devils good? I wonder...

there is no trace of a signal, only short sample size and variance

 

[Bjornar Moxnes]

Why are the Devils good? I wonder...

Lol at the Flyers, Ducks, and Coyotes.

 

[Gjman2019]

They weren't excellent last year but they were above average. We had a pretty middle of the pack skater performance with injuries really hindering Dougie and causing Jack to miss 30+ games so it would've above mid with some health luck.

6th in HDCF .......1st in HDCF%.........5th in HDCA......Dead last in the league in HDSV%

That's excellent in my opinion (except goaltending obviously).......Granted there's a lot more metrics than just those three but to me those three are the most important ones........I'm sure others will have a different opinion , that's to be expected.....

 

[mphmiles]

Those Hughes and Hischier contracts are aging like wine.

They're going to be able to build the type of depth that Colorado was able to the last couple years as a result of Mackinnon's deal.

 

[BKarchitect]

Those Hughes and Hischier contracts are aging like wine.

They're going to be able to build the type of depth that Colorado was able to the last couple years as a result of Mackinnon's deal.

They really remind me of Colorado...forward thinking on contracts, team speed up and down the line-up, top guys who are beasts on the puck...and if all works to plan, Hughes-Nemec I feel could eventually have the kind of synergy that Makar-Toews do. Goaltending? I mean eventually slightly above average should suffice.

Not a guarantee of a Cup but I think the Devils have opened themselves up a sizeable window - this year it's all gravy. I think by 23-24 they will be serious contenders. There were some signs last year...this may be a "hot" start but I don't think it's a totally flukey start.

They are gonna have to pay up for Bratt though....any word if he'll negotiate in season or is this going to be tabled till next spring?

 

[OilWagon]

Hischier turning into a #1 two way center is playing a massive role I'd imagine

 

[Bileur]

I agree, they should be better.

 

[Eggtimer]

I look at the players and a few games they've played from beginning to end, they are opportunistic and fast, but no one believes Wood, Bratt and Hischier will maintain their pace. Hughes Sharan Mercer Tatar is not exactly a murderers row. Mainly a lack of depth. I see a bubble team at best, after the eventual regression as injuries hit.

Wood won’t maintain but what makes you think the others can’t ? The Devils are doing this while Hughes is playing poorly , none of Mercer , Shara , are playing well . They have good depth with Holtz ( blue chip prospect ) not able to sniff the lineup ) ?

 

[Clam Jensen]

Wood won’t maintain but what makes you think the others can’t ? The Devils are doing this while Hughes is playing poorly , none of Mercer , Shara , are playing well . They have good depth with Holtz ( blue chip prospect ) not able to sniff the lineup ) ?

Yea I’d say our depth is the best it’s been in years, hence the record.

 

[Artorius Horus T]

Thanks with all the likes!
Much appreciated

 

[MakoSlade]

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

Not at all...missed meaning. I've seen twice in one day posters say "take away five players and a defenseman and team has AHL roster". Wasn't you but someone you quoted.

 

[WhiskeyYerTheDevils]

Thanks with all the likes!
Much appreciated

The lack of self awareness in this post is almost as astonishing as your OP.

Maybe you should ask yourself why so many people are making fun of your takes.

 

[Clam Jensen]

Thanks with all the likes!
Much appreciated

are you okay?

 

[glenwo2]

I look at the players and a few games they've played from beginning to end, they are opportunistic and fast, but no one believes Wood, Bratt and Hischier will maintain their pace. Hughes Sharan Mercer Tatar is not exactly a murderers row. Mainly a lack of depth. I see a bubble team at best, after the eventual regression as injuries hit.

Are you in a way HOPING the Devils players get injured so you are proven right?

 

[haak84]

team is legit. With captain Nico leading the way, they’ll have rough patches but he won’t let them slip too far. There has been a sea change in that locker room and I expect the to be at the top of the conference at years end.

To think Luke hughes is waiting in the wings, oh boy. A fox/makar type player will put this team into a perennial contender.

Oh an then there’s nemec too.

 

[Avsboy]

They outshoot all their opponents. How does it not make sense?

 

[Bankers Box]

Wood won’t maintain but what makes you think the others can’t ? The Devils are doing this while Hughes is playing poorly , none of Mercer , Shara , are playing well . They have good depth with Holtz ( blue chip prospect ) not able to sniff the lineup ) ?

Hughes isn’t playing poorly, he just isn’t dominating like last year.

Had a good game vs the Sens and is playing at a point per game pace.

 

[Eggtimer]

Hughes isn’t playing poorly, he just isn’t dominating like last year.

Had a good game vs the Sens and is playing at a point per game pace.

What I was trying to say is that Jack is playing poorly compared to how he can / has the ability to play….
He is still putting up points but has not looked himself yet this season. Game against the Sens he looked a bit better. It’s not a knock against him, I just think he is not playing like he can.