GDT: Your New Jersey Devils (26-15-5, 57 Pts) @ Toronto Maple Leafs (27-16-2, 56 Pts), 7 PM, MSGSN2

[guitarguyvic]

Keefe said two games in a row there were multiple game time decisions due to illness.

How is this possible? It's not like you can have partial Norovirus. Either you're alternating between the shitter and bed or you're not. This isn't like a f***ing cold.

 

[Dylan9z9]

Way to beat.the Leafs for Keefe ....keep up the good work

 

[PKs Broken Stick]

I think people need to temper expectations for this team this year. And it really pains me to say it because I wanted to believe they were a real contender a couple of months ago but we are 45 games into this thing now.

I think cup contender wasn't realistic to begin with. I fully expect that to take several years after making it to the playoffs consistently. Not many teams win the cup right when they get in. On top of that, this team has several huge flaws, so even without the other adversity I mentioned, it's not realistic

I'll be happy if they win 1 or 2 rounds.

 

[ZachaFlockaFlame]

Yes that too.

Sure the shot is elite, but marky shouldn't be giving anything shortside there...

I get the anger, positionally you're probably right as a former goalie, but it's still the 1 out of maybe 3-4 guys in the league who can probably wire the puck in that spot. If a guy beats you with an elite shot like that, you tip your cap to them.

 

[Bcap88]

They were playing great hockey before the break and then couldn’t find there game after the break. There’s good sprinkled with bad they just need to get back to being consistent which they will

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

3 weeks is a large ebb...also ignoring that this team hasn't really had any extended stretch of great 5v5 play all season.

they literally are 2nd the NHL in xG% at 5 on 5?????????

they just can't finish. Which you can argue is an issue I guess for sure.

 

[Emperoreddy]

He said last game Nose was the only person he knew that was sick.

Someone else has to be sick if he is saying there were game time decisions today and Nose is in Jersey

 

[Hisch13r]

Idk about that lol but I think they can take 2nd in Metro

lol Yeah Washington's 7 pts up with 2 games in hand and we have less than half a season to make it up.

 

[Devs3cups]

Something that kind of pisses me off as well is the fact that the team is kind of punting away awesome performances by Markstrom.

I like Markstrom, but I don't think he's going to be playing like this for the rest of the season.

 

[JimEIV]

Jesper Bratt has 2 goals in the last 18 games...just saying.

 

[forceten]

How is this possible? It's not like you can have partial Norovirus. Either you're alternating between the shitter and bed or you're not. This isn't like a f***ing cold.

There are four major virii going around right now.

Source: My wife, who knows all things (and is also med), and all my coworkers who are sick to the point I refuse to get on Teams with them.

 

[Nocashstyle]

Hard disagree there.

Lol okay you’re right, no shot Florida, Tampa, or Toronto have a chance to win the cup.

 

[ZachaFlockaFlame]

Defensive structure, goaltending, special teams have been good to great this season.

All season long 5v5 offense has been mediocre and they are still prone to repeated Ruffian unforced turnovers in their own zone. Even in games when 5v5 looks better, they have no snipers who can consistently take advantage when they are tilting the ice.

I think people need to temper expectations for this team this year. And it really pains me to say it because I wanted to believe they were a real contender a couple of months ago but we are 45 games into this thing now.

It was always next year imo with this team with possibly Palat/Hamliton off the roster The ceiling should be winning a round or two and avenge the 2023 Carolina loss imo. That being said, I'm not counting them out with a hot Markstrom. If this is the Markstrom we get, why can't they win the Cup? I highly doubt the skaters stay this ass all year + the trades that happen

 

[NjDevsRR]

The illness talk started with Rachel leaving the west coast trip due to sickness. Then we all clearly saw since then many players not skating to their normal ability.

I have watched 26 NHL seasons, I know when a team is clearly down a gear or two.

You don’t go directly from that dominant and historic stretch of hockey we saw into this, just because. It’s obvious

 

[Lou Bloom]

I think Mercer has to step up his game. He played 23 minutes tonight and I don't think he made a single noticeable play the entire game. He was also invisible during the Panthers game as well despite the added opportunity with Noesen out. Starting to think we should move on from him while he's still young and teams might see value there.

 

[guitarguyvic]

You can see with your eyes that a handful of players have zero first few steps. Its either illness or fatigue from the season. Or a combo. They clearly do not have the same energy or jump as they had in December or November.

OK great...no doubt I see this too...the problem is that even at their peak this season they haven't been super impressive 5v5. And now we are going on three weeks of overall crap play...usually the truth is somewhere in the middle and the middle in this case would be closer to a WC team than a division winner who has a legit shot to win it all.

 

[Emperoreddy]

lol Yeah Washington's 7 pts up with 2 games in hand and we have less than half a season to make it up.

Man we really should just forfeit the season since we apparently won't catch Washington or win a playoff round

 

[Cheddabombs]

 

[ZachaFlockaFlame]

Lol okay you’re right, no shot Florida, Tampa, or Toronto have a chance to win the cup.

Toronto gives Carolina vibes, I don't see the goaltending being strong enough. The other 2, yes.

 

[Richer's Ghost]

Someone else has to be sick if he is saying there were game time decisions today and Nose is in Jersey

Game time decisions can be for things other than illness. Small injuries, purely personnel for how you want the lines, etc. It's not automatic due to illness. His quote about it was pasted on here from Twitter in the post game interview.

 

[Dylan9z9]

traveling the continent 1 point at a time

 

[NjDevsRR]

lol Yeah Washington's 7 pts up with 2 games in hand and we have less than half a season to make it up.

1-0 Ovi OT win is just wild lmao

And dont look now, CBJ is playing very good hockey. Creeping up on us and Canes

 

[Nocashstyle]

3 weeks is a large ebb...also ignoring that this team hasn't really had any extended stretch of great 5v5 play all season.

And yet, they’re 2nd in the division and have the 3rd highest points % in the conference.

Again, you just cannot handle an 82 game season.

 

[Emperoreddy]

Game time decisions can be for things other than illness. Small injuries, purely personnel for how you want the lines, etc. It's not automatic due to illness. His quote about it was pasted on here from Twitter in the post game interview.

He said it was due to illness.

 

[forceten]

Well, we either are winning the cup or we have Two Players One Cup