GDT: Your New Jersey Devils (13-7-2, 28 Pts) @ Washington Capitals (13-5-1, 27 Pts), 7 PM, MSGSN2

[Bleedred]

Daws is also playing in front of an absolutely garbage lineup. You notice how much he faces nightly when looking at the Utica highlights.

Still too much of a question mark to trust him with the backup job next year with a 35-36 year old Markstrom.

That could change by season’s end.

 

[Hisch13r]

Still too much of a question mark to trust him with the backup job next year with a 35-36 year old Markstrom.

That could change by season’s end.

Still makes no sense he has a one way next year.

 

[Bleedred]

Still makes no sense he has a one way next year.

I wouldn’t worry about that. I don’t think it means he’s penciled in for next year. I think it was the hope, but not a given.

I don’t think it means he’s got the job. We’ve given some one way deals to borderline guys who found their way in the minors after camp.

He’ll either have to show more this year or he’ll be playing in Utica for a million dollars a year or whatever his contract is. Or possibly somewhere else on waivers, which I wouldn’t bet on him being claimed, but I wouldn’t completely rule it out either.

 

[Triumph]

Still makes no sense he has a one way next year.

He's waiver-eligible anyway and he has a slightly above minimum salary. He's played 46 games in the NHL. It absolutely makes sense.

 

[Better Call Sal]

 

[NjDevsRR]

Just seeing Large Douglas’ goal. Hot damn, what a nasty wrister.

 

[Devs3cups]

Just seeing Large Douglas’ goal. Hot damn, what a nasty wrister.

Absolute bullet.

 

[Aurinko]

Even after couple awesome wins vs. Caps/Canes/2xPanthers team is still hanging in the standings by a thread.

Personally did not believe in the wins, but it's nice to be proven wrong. I feel like I have been right with Allen being a starter tier goalie though. Another solid one from him and you can't ask for more than 2 vet goalies working well together and hopefully staying somewhat healthy.

 

[PizzaAndPucks]

I would of liked to see them close it out a bit better but the Devils earned that win. The Caps have been a pretty good team all year whether they are an overachiever or whatever you want to call them.

Some good performances tonight from some guys that were getting some flack on here earlier in the season (Hamilton) and as recently as earlier this week (Tatar).

 

[PKs Broken Stick]

Yeah. Hopefully they can find their groove 5v5 going forward because we know the red hot PP will eventually cool down a little bit. What do you think is holding this team back from being better offensively 5v5?

I think it's a couple of reasons. Most of their offense under Ruff 5v5 came from off the rush and cheating offensively. They're prioritizing defense a lot more now which imo shouldn't mean less offense, but considering they ignored defense for all these years, it's probably an adjustment period.

 

[PKs Broken Stick]

But people should probably get comfortable with Keefe keeping them buttoned up in games where they have the lead.

As they should. But I'd really like them to try to take advantage of teams pushing for offense, instead of just randomly throwing the puck away and constantly playing defense

I think Casey still has the most points on our blueline, which says a lot about where they are offensively.

uh...not even close. Did you mean goals? He's tied for lead in goals yea lol

 

[Bcap88]

Even after couple awesome wins vs. Caps/Canes/2xPanthers team is still hanging in the standings by a thread.

Personally did not believe in the wins, but it's nice to be proven wrong. I feel like I have been right with Allen being a starter tier goalie though. Another solid one from him and you can't ask for more than 2 vet goalies working well together and hopefully staying somewhat healthy.

I mean the team is on a 106 point pace and banking points. You are only as good as the points that are in the bank. We can sit here and talk about games in hand etc but that only means something when those games are cashed in on.

106 points gets you into the playoffs all day every day and twice in Sundays

 

[britdevil]

Is Dougie cooking?

 

[ninetyeight]

Personally did not believe in the wins, but it's nice to be proven wrong.

Same here. I was certain they'd lose to all of panthers lightning canes and caps. But I noticed during this game how much I now believe in the team even after getting scored on first or pressured in their zone. The last few years when the capitals score first and show some early offensive pressure, you just knew how the game would end.

This was a close game, I think Allen might have won this game for us along with the outstanding defensive play. Haven't seen the stats but it looked like the caps had way more shot attempts. But not many high danger chances. Would be nice to see some avg blocked shots comparisons vs the last two years. It feels like this year the Devs are blocking crazy amount of shots.

 

[TheUnseenHand]

4-1 in that stretch. Wild. Lots of great wins against good teams.

That said, get Foote off this team. I just can't figure out why he keeps getting chances. Utica sucks and yet almost every forward option there is a better call up than him.

 

[SteveCangialosi123]

I recall a poster that likes to tell everyone how right they are about everything saying that Fitz should’ve been fired for the Allen trade.

 

[Call Me Al]

amazing where this team is at coming out of what is probably the hardest stretch of the season.

looks like the pieces are all starting to click with the new system and dougie and jack are rounding into form after their injuries. team defense is better than it’s been since maybe deboer and everyone’s buying in. goaltending has been great. i don’t see any reason this team can’t go on a run

 

[My3Sons]

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I recall a poster that likes to tell everyone how right they are about everything after the fact that Fitz should’ve been fired for the Allen trade.

I never slammed Fitz for the Allen trade

 

[Camille the Eel]

The guy is a total natural. “Mom’s leave happy.”

During the game broadcast, the interview with Lady Hughes during the first intermission was a classic. What a mensch and what charm and it gave insight too into the boys who are, even when a little ill tempered or not feeling it, nothing but real and genuine. (Did not know she had gone to U.N.H. - go Durham).

Not our best game in the final period (or for long parts of the 2d), but as Keefe said, we hung on.

What strikes me most is how well in doing this we stood up to them physically. That was the key to holding them off. A team that had habitually bullied us couldn’t do that last night - indeed in contrast to that, we gave better than we got .

That’s a huge difference this year. We play a physical game against anyone.

 

[Hisch13r]

Allen’s given up 18 goals on the year across 8 games and has a .916. 8 of them came in one game. In the other 7 he he has stopped 168 of 178 for a .944

 

[NJDevils17]

With the obvious “it’s the regular season” caveat, I’m super impressed by Keefe and what he’s done here in a relatively short time.

 

[Saugus]

I was very pleased to see all the guys selling out defensively in the empty net situation. They couldn’t get the puck out, but they did the next best thing and limited the Capitals’ chances on net.

Mercer and Hischier in particular came up with huge blocks.

 

[MadDevil]

Allen’s given up 18 goals on the year across 8 games and has a .916. 8 of them came in one game. In the other 7 he he has stopped 168 of 178 for a .944

He must be ignoring Rogalski.

 

[TheUnseenHand]

Anyone hear how Nico is doing after that block?

 

[Ripshot 43]

Anyone hear how Nico is doing after that block?

Grimace level 3 out of 10.