GDT: Your New Jersey Devils (12-7-2, 26 Pts) vs. Carolina Hurricanes (14-4-0, 28 Pts), 7 PM, MSGSN

[TheUnseenHand]

Just for reference on November 22nd of 2023 we were 8-8-1 - 17 points

14th out of 16 in the conference, only Ottawa and Columbus behind us.

I'm not trying to be that guy, but we only have 1 fewer loss than we did at that point last year lol. Clearly this team is better than that team, and banking 13 wins is huge. I think we need to be aware of the fact that the team has played 5 more games than they did at this point last year.

This is not a doomer post either. I am very pleased with where the team is at.

 

[jkrdevil]

Right now, 22 games in, basically the first quarter, we're on track for 104 points.

December and January always seem to be the "make or break" months, but we are in a great position heading towards thanksgiving.

As mentioned, December is really make or break as the month is filled with games vs the other top Metro teams and they finish the season series with the Hurricanes and Caps (and play 2 games vs Rangers).

 

[TheBeerNerd]

The Devils have dealt with the 6th hardest schedule in the league up to this point, and that's with minimal rest and two international games to start the year. The gauntlet isn't over yet, but they've more than proven their staying power so far.

 

[JimEIV]

I'm not trying to be that guy, but we only have 1 fewer loss than we did at that point last year lol. Clearly this team is better than that team, and banking 13 wins is huge. I think we need to be aware of the fact that the team has played 5 more games than they did at this point last year.

This is not a doomer post either. I am very pleased with where the team is at.

5 more games and 5 more wins. But the number of games is a bit irrelevant...in 2023 on 11/22 we were a .500 P%. Today we are a .636 P%

Gathering early points is big.

 

[My3Sons]

The post count was also 5-2 or 5-3 NJ, NJ could of had a big goal total


More importantly, this was by far their biggest test. A condensed two month schedule with little practice or rest against some stiff competition, all with a new coach.

Rest of the schedule should be much better, especially April. 6 of 7 at home, with one one travel day to Boston.

This team can really start piling the points going forward.

Hopefully this win allowed some of the PTSD that had built up last season to be abated. I understand how the TB loss was disheartening to some after the Florida wins but the win against Carolina should show folks that the team can bounce back from a poor showing this season. They flopped against SJ and they recovered and they flopped against TB and again recovered. If this sort of patten holds posters will be able to be at least cautiously optimistic as the season unfolds. So far certainly so good. Some will never be happy but you have to feel for those folks who carry that around with them all the time.

 

[theoptimist]

I'm not trying to be that guy, but we only have 1 fewer loss than we did at that point last year lol. Clearly this team is better than that team, and banking 13 wins is huge. I think we need to be aware of the fact that the team has played 5 more games than they did at this point last year.

This is not a doomer post either. I am very pleased with where the team is at.

I compared point % .500 vs .636

 

[Hisch13r]

Just for reference on November 22nd of 2023 we were 8-8-1 - 17 points

14th out of 16 in the conference, only Ottawa and Columbus behind us.

That was an interesting time. They got embarrassed by Detroit and shut out on the 22nd. Then had an embarrassing loss to the Jackets the following game. Followed that up with the dominant win over the Sabres and an 8-2 stretch and got up to 16-11-1. I still did not like their game and thought they did not look good during that 8-2 stretch.

On paper the 5v5 numbers were better at that point but on paper we also had the 12th best xGA which I thought was wayyyyyyyyy overestimating what they looked like. I think on the whole we’re pretty similar to where we were 5v5 last year which was pretty meh maybe a bit better now but the special teams and goaltending is a big improvement this year. I think the ceiling of this team will be determined by how much they improve offensively at 5v5 and if they can get to that upper echelon. The special teams and team defense are elite, the goaltending is enough and outside of some stinkers has been quite good.

 

[Nubmer6]

Hopefully this win allowed some of the PTSD that had built up last season to be abated. I understand how the TB loss was disheartening to some after the Florida wins but the win against Carolina should show folks that the team can bounce back from a poor showing this season. They flopped against SJ and they recovered and they flopped against TB and again recovered. If this sort of patten holds posters will be able to be at least cautiously optimistic as the season unfolds. So far certainly so good. Some will never be happy but you have to feel for those folks who carry that around with them all the time.

Thing is, I don't even think they flopped, at least not against SJ. Sometimes you outplay a team and still lose. That's sports

 

[Emperoreddy]

Thing is, I don't even think they flopped, at least not against SJ. Sometimes you outplay a team and still lose. That's sports

Games like that just happen. What's important is making sure you don't turn that into a spiral, which the team hasn't done.

 

[Hisch13r]

Thing is, I don't even think they flopped, at least not against SJ. Sometimes you outplay a team and still lose. That's sports

I don’t think they were all that great for much of that game. Especially considering it was SJ. SJ was probably better the first 2 periods or it was around even. We turned it on in the 3rd but that’s the level they should’ve been at all game.

 

[Mgd31]

I'm not trying to be that guy, but we only have 1 fewer loss than we did at that point last year lol. Clearly this team is better than that team, and banking 13 wins is huge. I think we need to be aware of the fact that the team has played 5 more games than they did at this point last year.

This is not a doomer post either. I am very pleased with where the team is at.

That is a definitely an unseenhand way of looking at it if I ever saw one lol

 

[TheUnseenHand]

5 more games and 5 more wins. But the number of games is a bit irrelevant...in 2023 on 11/22 we were a .500 P%. Today we are a .636 P%

Gathering early points is big.

Yeah that's why I'm happy with where we are at.

 

[Bleedred]

So we already have one fewer regulation loss this year than we did on this date last year with 5 more games played? That's pretty good.

 

[Emperoreddy]

So we already have one fewer regulation loss this year than we did on this date last year with 5 more games played? That's pretty good.

I would suspect we are overall statistically better then where we were as well

 

[Bad Goalie]

Dowling and Bowers that's a bad line even in Utica

You don't know the worst of it. Dowling is Utica's BEST center and Bowers is #2. Dowling was called up after paying 6 games, 2/2/4 and Bowers comes up after 13 GP, 0/3/3. I have to say no more as to why the Comets will enter game #14 on 11/22 winless in the previous 13.

NJ fanbase already calling for Dowling's demotion and many were asking for Bowers. Well, now you got him. See what you think of that after a few games.

 

[TheBeerNerd]

I would suspect we are overall statistically better then where we were as well

This doesn't account for vibes, which are undoubtedly better than last year's entitled, pouty bunch.

 

[Hisch13r]

You don't know the worst of it. Dowling is Utica's BEST center and Bowers is #2. Dowling was called up after paying 6 games, 2/2/4 and Bowers comes up after 13 GP, 0/3/3. I have to say no more as to why the Comets will enter game #14 on 11/22 winless in the previous 13.

NJ fanbase already calling for Dowling's demotion and many were asking for Bowers. Well, now you got him. See what you think of that after a few games.

They were honestly really good this game lol. You remove the waste of space and suddenly the 4th line can play hockey again

 

[NjdevilfanJim]

I believe so. They came back for the Detroit game I believe. I thought it would help, but probably not this much. Pesce has been solid and Luke has been playing extremely well on both ends of the ice.

Luke's growth defensively has been really impressive...

 

[devilsfan950003]

They are also carrying the season and goals%.

View attachment 934067

They have to re-sign Kovacevic. He could get big money as a UFA but try to keep him. Find the money$!

Yes that fight back was missing last year biggest difference is they seem to trust the system and coaches this year that they stick to it....

With Vanecek's assistance, Ruff would have found a way to lose that game.

 

[Hisch13r]

They have to re-sign Kovacevic. He could get big money as a UFA but try to keep him. Find the money$!

Bye Dougie and Palat!

 

[Mr Bojanglez]

Right now, 22 games in, basically the first quarter, we're on track for 104 points.

December and January always seem to be the "make or break" months, but we are in a great position heading towards thanksgiving.

what have you done with Jim?

 

[Mr Bojanglez]

I'm not trying to be that guy, but we only have 1 fewer loss than we did at that point last year lol. Clearly this team is better than that team, and banking 13 wins is huge. I think we need to be aware of the fact that the team has played 5 more games than they did at this point last year.

This is not a doomer post either. I am very pleased with where the team is at.

I get that. But I think at the end of November last year we were 2 games above .500

Currently we are 6 games above it.

That's how I've been looking at the season. Not points - but how we are doing above .500

Edit: Also goal differential. End of November we were even. Currently this year we are +18.

 

[Bcap88]

Just for reference on November 22nd of 2023 we were 8-8-1 - 17 points

14th out of 16 in the conference, only Ottawa and Columbus behind us.

Ironically Buffalo and Lindy ruff are 9-9-1 now

 

[Bcap88]

I get that. But I think at the end of November last year we were 2 games above .500

Currently we are 6 games above it.

That's how I've been looking at the season. Not points - but how we are doing above .500

Edit: Also goal differential. End of November we were even. Currently this year we are +18.

To be fair at the 22 game mark the team was 11-10-1 last year

 

[Ripshot 43]

what have you done with Jim?

Where real Jim?