GDT: Your New Jersey Devils (37-28-6, 80 Pts) vs. Vancouver Canucks (32-26-12, 76 Pts), 7:30 PM ET, ESPN+/Hulu

[SteveCangialosi123]

While injuries absolutely do matter, I'm sure the Canes would also like their chances if we were fully healthy considering the team has played sub .500% hockey since the new year while being fully healthy.

And I just don’t think that matters very much in a playoff series. There is a virtual guarantee that a team that wasn’t supposed to win a playoff series is going to win a playoff series.

Even if we were rocking like the record breaking season the determining factors would be how the PP clicks and how the goalie is playing. The fact that their PK has owned us historically is what would have me nervous no matter how we were playing.

 

[Devs3cups]

And I just don’t think that matters very much in a playoff series. There is a virtual guarantee that a team that wasn’t supposed to win a playoff series is going to win a playoff series.

Even if we were rocking like the record breaking season the determining factors would be how the PP clicks and how the goalie is playing. The fact that their PK has owned us historically is what would have me nervous no matter how we were playing.

I mean I just don’t agree that a team playing horrible hockey for months before the playoffs just doesn’t matter for a playoff series. Sure they could win, but the odds of them suddenly turning on a switch and playing awesome or winning hockey just seem so much lower.

 

[ZachaFlockaFlame]

Carolina is the same team that caused this Devils team to go into an utter tail spin after Christmas, not sure where this bravado is coming from that the Devils would have a good chance versus them, Devils would get rocked in a playoff series versus them with how Markstrom is playing right now. Allen would also get murdered a la Kinkaid v Tampa Bay.

 

[NjDevsRR]

Good lord, lets get into the postseason first

I am also tired of talking about a Devils team with Jack Dougie and Siegs. That team doesn’t exist at the moment. What we are left with is a .500 roster at its best. Thats all that currently matters. They need a W on Wednesday because Friday will be ugly. They need points.

If they get in. Then no kidding its going to look ugly and it will take an act of god in round 1 for them to be competitive.

 

[NJ07102]

I really don't care any more if they get in. If they do, they will be a quick out anyway. This team doesn't have it and they didn't have it when Dougie and Jack were still healthy either. Time to discuss Sheldon as well. He hasn't done shit to stop this horrific downturn.

 

[bringbacktheskate604]

He seemed pretty decent, TBH. Made some huge saves in some earlier moments in the real game.

Except for both of the SO goals, he was slightly out of position or bad angled for the last one.

In Markys defense, Lekkerimakki is gonna score 45+ in his prime. The kid has an absolute laser of a shot.
That shootout goal I think most goalies would have thought he was going glove side. Some times you gotta just tip your hat, like us nuck fans did on that sick Bratt goal.

 

[R8Devs]

Good on him. He needs to do more .

what he did was enough if the other guys on the team even picked up a tiny bit of slack. the position he plays on the PP is not the one that gets the most puck touches either so it's not like Jack being out on the PP is going to have much affect on his point production there. if the GM didn't saddle the team with a non workable bottom six and a d that struggles with puck play we wouldn't even be talking about this. people were wondering why Cholowski was out there in OT but it's because they can't play any of the other d aside from Luke in OT. that's sort of on Keefe too for not playing Nemec but either way only having 2 capable D that can do that even with Dougie out is ridiculous and it shows in regulation too.

 

[PizzaAndPucks]

3 goals on 28 shots, so under .900 sv pct again. I didn’t like the second goal which went between his glove and the post. The game tieing goal he missed the puck with his glove and then it was under him after hitting the post. It wasn’t a good goal. And of course he went 50% on the shootout.

Devils shot only 25% in the shootout... Markstrom wasn't the reason they lost.

 

[britdevil]

Limp into the playoffs, quick out.

Another year wasted with this "talented young core!".

 

[Dylan9z9]

All the goals scored in the shootout were lifted. You would think the devils could learn from that. It’s funny as nice as bratts goal was he barely got it high enough demko pad actually clipped it lol

It's obvious this group has a hard time learning anything

 

[Dylan9z9]

Devils shot only 25% in the shootout... Markstrom wasn't the reason they lost.

Not the reason just part of it ... that's like a win for him lately

 

[Aurinko]

Extremely welcome point.

When healthy Demko is the best goalie in the league imo and the Canucs got him healthy(?) in critical time.

 

[Aurinko]

Limp into the playoffs, quick out.

Another year wasted with this "talented young core!".

Likely yes, but better than the alternative of never learning anything by falling short.

 

[TheUnseenHand]

I really don't care any more if they get in. If they do, they will be a quick out anyway. This team doesn't have it and they didn't have it when Dougie and Jack were still healthy either. Time to discuss Sheldon as well. He hasn't done shit to stop this horrific downturn.

When the same exact pattern happens with multiple coaches and multiple styles of play, it's time to discuss the players. The coach has changed, the GM has changed, but the core has pretty much remained intact. That is the scariest thing to me. They might need a really big shake up to the roster.

 

[LGD]

Markstrom is a huge turd

 

[Billdo]

Probably not but at least it will provide motivation and confirm that changes to the roster need to be made. There is no way that they just roll with the same roster next season if they miss the playoffs . Fitz has to see that the forward group is a mess and they need to revamp the bottom 6 and add some depth up front .
But if they make the playoffs , Fitz may just shrug his shoulders and say “ oh well , injuries “ . He has to see that changes need to be made and if missing the payoffs is the only way for that to happen , then so be it.
I want them to make the playoffs but I want them to be true contenders and in order to be that , they need to address the lack of a bottom 6 .

If the organization doesn't realize changes need to be made unless they miss the playoffs than I've lost all faith in this club.

 

[SteveCangialosi123]

Carolina is the same team that caused this Devils team to go into an utter tail spin after Christmas, not sure where this bravado is coming from that the Devils would have a good chance versus them, Devils would get rocked in a playoff series versus them with how Markstrom is playing right now. Allen would also get murdered a la Kinkaid v Tampa Bay.

What? That is something you just made up. We beat them and then lost in a back to back.

Where is there a poster beating their chest about how we’re doing to win a series against Carolina, I missed it? I see someone saying how the team is wrecked without their best players.

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

Carolina is the same team that caused this Devils team to go into an utter tail spin after Christmas, not sure where this bravado is coming from that the Devils would have a good chance versus them, Devils would get rocked in a playoff series versus them with how Markstrom is playing right now. Allen would also get murdered a la Kinkaid v Tampa Bay.

lol what are you talking about?

Since you know the end result, I assume you won't be watching and/or posting here?

weird stuff.

 

[ZachaFlockaFlame]

What? That is something you just made up. We beat them and then lost in a back to back.

Where is there a poster beating their chest about how we’re doing to win a series against Carolina, I missed it? I see someone saying how the team is wrecked without their best players.

Are you just acting dumb or what? The 5-2 loss in Carolina in December was when this team started to have an utter tail spin in the season. Even the game they won, Markstrom stole from them which was one of his best games of the year and that's coming from me who consistently rakes Markstrom over the coals. You said you'd like our chances against them fully healthy when this team's boogeyman has been Carolina for the past 3-5 years when healthy, stop trying to twist the argument.

lol what are you talking about?

Since you know the end result, I assume you won't be watching and/or posting here?

weird stuff.

Lol, typical ZBC post with no f***ing substance trying to cherry pick a fight. I think any of combo of the Devils Isles Rags would get dog walked by Carolina in a series this year but keep randomly crying about random shit

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

Are you just acting dumb or what? The 5-2 loss in Carolina in December was when this team started to have an utter tail spin in the season. Even the game they won, Markstrom stole from them which was one of his best games of the year and that's coming from me who consistently rakes Markstrom over the coals. You said you'd like our chances against them fully healthy when this team's boogeyman has been Carolina for the past 3-5 years when healthy, stop trying to twist the argument.



Lol, typical ZBC post with no f***ing substance trying to cherry pick a fight. I think any of combo of the Devils Isles Rags would get dog walked by Carolina in a series this year but keep randomly crying about random shit

so December 27th, 4-2 win vs Carolina....NO TAILSPIN. 24 hours later? SEASON IN A TAILSPIN, ITS ALL OVER

you just made something up. Yes, I am going to call out when something is completely made up.

I think some of you guys are way too emotional to be sports fans tbh.

 

[ZachaFlockaFlame]

so December 27th, 4-2 win vs Carolina....NO TAILSPIN. 24 hours later? SEASON IN A TAILSPIN, ITS ALL OVER

you just made something up. Yes, I am going to call out when something is completely made up.

I think some of you guys are way too emotional to be sports fans tbh.

What the f*** are you talking about? It's clearly with hindsight of everything has happened, that's the game that changed their season whether you want to hear to not. They were up 2-1 in the 3rd in Carolina and gave up 4 unanswered and their season/play was virtually not the same again the whole f***ing year. The whole point is that Carolina is a garbage matchup for the Devils when they were healthy, but yeah I'm the emotional one who always tries to defend this team when they don't deserve it like 10% of this board with rose colored glasses

 

[JrFischer54]

Pius Suter.

sounds like a roman senator that killed Caesar

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

What the f*** are you talking about? It's clearly with hindsight of everything has happened, that's the game that changed their season whether you want to hear to not. They were up 2-1 in the 3rd in Carolina and gave up 4 unanswered and their season/play was virtually not the same again the whole f***ing year. The whole point is that Carolina is a garbage matchup for the Devils when they were healthy, but yeah I'm the emotional one who always tries to defend this team when they don't deserve it like 10% of this board with rose colored glasses

the Devils played Carolina 4 times this year.

4-2 loss.
4-2 win.
4-2 win
5-2 loss

So Carolina outscored them 13-12. Wow, what a garbage matchup!!

Will they beat them in the playoffs? Who knows. Will they get swept? Who knows!

What I can't stand is the "Yeah they are DEFINITELY not even going to HAVE A CHANCE". Okay great, thanks for telling us, but then why are you even going to be in here and watch?

 

[ZachaFlockaFlame]

the Devils played Carolina 4 times this year.

4-2 loss.
4-2 win.
4-2 win
5-2 loss

So Carolina outscored them 13-12. Wow, what a garbage matchup!!

Will they beat them in the playoffs? Who knows. Will they get swept? Who knows!

What I can't stand is the "Yeah they are DEFINITELY not even going to HAVE A CHANCE". Okay great, thanks for telling us, but then why are you even going to be in here and watch?

They also split in 2022/2023 with Carolina and got absolutely f***ing rocked in the teeth when the team was better x100. I'm sorry it hurts you to hear that other teams are better than the Devils.

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

They also split in 2022/2023 with Carolina and got absolutely f***ing rocked in the teeth when the team was better x100. I'm sorry it hurts you to hear that other teams are better than the Devils.

I don't really know or care what 2 seasons ago has to do with anything

They probably are better than the Devils right now, yea. That doesn't mean that the playoff series is 100000% set in stone like you made it seem.

Try not to be so emotional all the time man. There is good hockey discussion that happens here. We don't need this nonsense.