GDT: Your New Jersey Devils (50-21-8, 108 Points, 2nd in Metro) @ Boston Bruins (61-12-5, 127 Points, 1st in Atlantic), 8 PM, ABC/ESPN+

[Better Call Sal]

Sorry but you can't assume that will happen.

Vitek has been rock-solid lately and if he gave up any goal, it would've been the 1st but that's it.

It would have been more likely he would've matched the Bruins goaltender than Blackwood did.

This game would've been in OT with Vanacek, had he played, imo.

We would've gotten a point and at least took advantage of a Carolina loss to get closer.

Instead we let Carolina off the hook and basically handed them the Division now.

Screw this.

So you can’t assume Vitek would have let up a save that Mac made but can assume that the game would have played out exactly the same otherwise and would have gone to OT had he been in net?

Some of you guys need to not live and die with the outcome of these last few games. Of course we would love to win the division, but I’m not going to dwell on losing a close game to a team having a historic season.

We have playoff hockey in a week. I want the team to be ready for that. This wasn’t the best game by any means but they should take a valuable lesson from it no matter the case.

 

[Whaddagoal]

Sorry but you can't assume that will happen.

Vitek has been rock-solid lately and if he gave up any goal, it would've been the 1st but that's it.

It would have been more likely he would've matched the Bruins goaltender than Blackwood did.

This game would've been in OT with Vanacek, had he played, imo.

We would've gotten a point and at least took advantage of a Carolina loss to get closer.

Instead we let Carolina off the hook and basically handed them the Division now.

Screw this.

Id rather not play a roaring florida at the moment, or the isles if they get to WC1. Panthers getting hot right at the wrong moments for everyone else. Also healtheir with Duclair back. Sorokin looked good last time we faced em...

We will have to settle for the rangers and love it....

 

[glenwo2]

So you can’t assume Vitek would have let up a save that Mac made but can assume that the game would have played out exactly the same otherwise and would have gone to OT had he been in net?

Some of you guys need to not live and die with the outcome of these last few games. Of course we would love to win the division, but I’m not going to dwell on losing a close game to a team having a historic season.

We have playoff hockey in a week. I want the team to be ready for that. This wasn’t the best game by any means but they should take a valuable lesson from it no matter the case.

I was ready for the Rags myself...

....until the Canes basically opened the door and told the Devils "Here's the Division. Come get it."

So excuse me for being pissed that the Devils basically said "Nah. We're good."

 

[Better Call Sal]

I was ready for the Rags myself...

....until the Canes basically opened the door and told the Devils "Here's the Division. Come get it."

So excuse me for being pissed that the Devils basically said "Nah. We're good."

This is dramatic. Try and enjoy your Sunday. I assure you all is not lost.

 

[Unknown Caller]

Of course he showed up AFTER spotting the Bruins 2 goals....Played decently just enough so they LOSE but continues to fool some fans here into thinking he had a good night.

We could've had a legit shot at the Division if we even got it to OT and got a point after the Canes lost.

Again, I can confidently state that the 2nd goal would never have occurred if Vitek was in net. PERIOD.

No one can convince me otherwise.

"Blow it out of proportion", my ass.

This is so ridiculous, and just emphasizes how the vast majority of fans are so obsessed with hating Blackwood that there’s zero objective analysis about his game or anything that occurs when he’s on the ice.

Blackwood allowed 2 goals on 4 xG. He saved 2 goals above expected. Just stop already.

But sure, Vanecek is so dominant that he would have saved the second goal and every other point blank chance that Boston had. I’m sure he would have saved 4 goals above expected and the Devils would have won 1-0.

 

[glenwo2]

If he doesn't let in the 2nd goal clunker this game goes to OT.

I know, he made some nice saves afterwards and he bounced back. But that's the thing. How can you stone Pastrnak on a breakaway right after doing a wild 360 in your crease to nowhere to allow a goal? The inconsistency is killer and he cannot be relied upon. Gives up 1-2 clunkers a game, but other than that he's fine. It doesn't add up.

He plays just good enough to "look decent" and fool some of the fans here while the team loses.

It's unbelievable.

GET HIM THE F OUT OF HERE.

Vanacek/Schmid should be the tandem going forward.

 

[glenwo2]

I don't understand how Blackwood has any defenders left, including the people that run this team and make decision for this team.

We've seen some BAD goalies come through here since the decline of Brodeur started about 13 or 14 years ago, but Blackwood's last 76 games are worse than the last 76 games that everybody played here. Brodeur's last 76 games here were probably pretty close adjusted for era, but this is worse than Kinkaid's last 76 games here, this is worse than Schneider's last 76 games here.

He shouldn't be here after this year under any circumstances.

Unless he wants to take WAY BELOW his qualifying offer and way below what a team would probably pay him in UFA if we don't tender him, which is unlikely to be more than $1.5 million for 1 year.

I don't either.

I really don't.

And the defenders have come in full force right now.

Can't wait until he's gone.

 

[TheUnseenHand]

I'm not going to place the loss on Mac as he rebounded decently after a horrendous first period. The issue is the ridiculous timing. He clearly is not the starter, we had a layup against CBJ, but you choose to start VV against CBJ and Mac against Boston? And sit Haula? Is Haula hurt or something? It's just completely nonsensical. I don't know if either really move the needle since Boston is that much better, but purposely choosing not to ice your best lineup definitely doesn't help either. It's just really odd.

 

[Call Me Al]

haulas nursing something so it makes sense he had to sit a game if he wasn’t 100%.

i don’t get starting blackwood, but overall i don’t care about losing this game. i’d rather play the rangers than the panthers who are streaking, and i feel good about winning at least one of these games to lock up home ice.

i’ll admit i’m biased because i don’t like blackwood and hope i never have to watch him play in a devils jersey again after last night

 

[glenwo2]

I'm not going to place the loss on Mac as he rebounded decently after a horrendous first period. The issue is the ridiculous timing. He clearly is not the starter, we had a layup against CBJ, but you choose to start VV against CBJ and Mac against Boston? And sit Haula? Is Haula hurt or something? It's just completely nonsensical. I don't know if either really move the needle since Boston is that much better, but purposely choosing not to ice your best lineup definitely doesn't help either. It's just really odd.

Timing in both the Starts and also Mac giving up those 2 goals and *THEN* deciding to turn into a "decent" goaltender the rest of the way. As if he knew that's all Boston needed to beat us.

But yeah...it made zero sense to start Vitek against Columbus instead of Mac.

Even Mac couldn't have lost that game.

That was a true head-scratcher from Lindy Ruff.

 

[Better Call Sal]

That’s what I’m talking about. Play ‘til the final whistle.

 

[NJDevs26]

LOL guys have been taking cheap shots at us all year but Timo legally bodychecks someone in a one goal game and it’s classless? As if he can stop on a dime the millisecond the horn goes off or can keep track of how much time is left on a play in the corner. These pundits need to get a life

 

[NjdevilfanJim]

That’s what I’m talking about. Play ‘til the final whistle.

Hey Pasta you want to pad those numbers with an empty netter keep your head on a swivel clean hard hit ....Timo time we need everyone to get like that come playoff time....

 

[Better Call Sal]

LOL guys have been taking cheap shots at us all year but Timo legally bodychecks someone in a one goal game and it’s classless? These pundits need to get a life

Especially if you’re going that hard for the empty net goal. Pushback should be expected. Clean, legal hit with time still on the clock.

I f***ing loved it. Especially after the Marchand hit.

 

[Blender]

That’s what I’m talking about. Play ‘til the final whistle.

Scumbag team can dish out cheap shots but can't handle clean hits.

 

[Camille the Eel]

haulas nursing something so it makes sense he had to sit a game if he wasn’t 100%.

i don’t get starting blackwood, but overall i don’t care about losing this game. i’d rather play the rangers than the panthers who are streaking, and i feel good about winning at least one of these games to lock up home ice.

i’ll admit i’m biased because i don’t like blackwood and hope i never have to watch him play in a devils jersey again after last night

I'll be unhappy if we can't win one of the last two and if the Rangers finally pass us on the last day of the season. Otherwise I agree and also I personally couldn't care less. I very much agree with Ruff resting Vitek periodically at this point, as Vitek hasn't looked good when overworked and we are going to have to overwork him in the playoffs so why make it worse by having him play like 8 in a row going in, which is kind of where we were heading if we don't rest him yesterday. Also I think, needing one win, targeting the Buffalo game at home Tuesday over Boston going for their all time record before their home fans last night, made sense, and was at least a defensible, rational coaching decision.

Last night I thought we lost the game in the first period. Got blown out actually and were extremely fortunate to be down only 1. The Bruins thereafter played "Katy bar the door," and dared us to tie it. And if we had tied it, they always had another gear, they've shown that against us before.

 

[Clam Jensen]

Scumbag team can dish out cheap shots but can't handle clean hits.

Rules for thee but not for me! f*** them. Love the snarl from Timo. They WILL NOT be pushed over.

 

[Mgd31]

Mac played well and gave us a chance to win. We only scored one goal that’s why we lost. It’s really that simple.

 

[HughesCorporation]

One other thing I thought the Bruins do really well is setting these soft screens basically every time someone begins to move with the puck without getting called for interference. They did it a lot on the Devils in the neutral zone and it completely neutralized our usually potent forecheck. Also allowed for the Bruins to step into the slot uncontested on more than one occasion. Insanely disciplined hockey in that regard. Boston is a damn solid team.

its not just the bruins although they take it a step further

 

[Mirka the Turka]

Mac played well and gave us a chance to win. We only scored one goal that’s why we lost. It’s really that simple.

Yeah. People looking to blame the goalie and not our horrible power play that game

 

[NJ07102]

Boston is the only team that I think we'd have close to zero chance to win a playoff series against. They are by far the best team in the league and their record shows this correctly. Blackwood played really well with the exception of the 2nd goal, but other than that he was just great. I am pretty sure he is gonna be the backup in the playoffs, Schmid has looked really pedestrian in Utica after being sent down.

 

[Bleedred]

The whole need to have to praise Blackwood because he had a good game is extremely weird. Bad goalies have good games all the time. Look at Alex Lyon’s 58 saves the other night and the run he’s been on? Is he any good? Is he just one of the best kept secrets in the world and that’s why he’s 30 years old and has been toiling in the AHL?

I’m not gonna shit on him for last night, but pardon me for acknowledging and recognizing one of the worst goalies in the NHL having a good game. Some people act like if a guy were really a bad goalie, he would never have good games or he would get beaten once every 6th or 7th shot and that’s really not true.

Boston is the only team that I think we'd have close to zero chance to win a playoff series against. They are by far the best team in the league and their record shows this correctly. Blackwood played really well with the exception of the 2nd goal, but other than that he was just great. I am pretty sure he is gonna be the backup in the playoffs, Schmid has looked really pedestrian in Utica after being sent down.

Oh wow! Schmid has looked really pedestrian in the 3 games he’s played since he was sent down? And Blackwood hasn’t looked really pedestrian for three years now?

Blackwood was gonna be the backup for the playoffs as soon as he got healthy and Schmid got sent down. I’m pretty sure last night’s game had nothing to do with it.

 

[Triumph]

I don't think Blackwood is one of the worst goalies in the league. I don't want him here next year. Goal #2 was extremely frustrating, but then he didn't let another one in, even with some great chances by the Bruins.

Frankly I don't even know why he is being talked about in here but of course I know why.

 

[MauDevils]

I really need the gif of Marchand jumping into Bahl and getting sent flying like a small child.

 

[Bleedred]

I don't think Blackwood is one of the worst goalies in the league. I don't want him here next year. Goal #2 was extremely frustrating, but then he didn't let another one in, even with some great chances by the Bruins.

Frankly I don't even know why he is being talked about in here but of course I know why.

How is he not one in the worst goalies in the league based on his last 3 seasons?

I’m only counting the guys that are full time goalies in the NHL. Not call ups like Michael Hutchinson or Alex Lyon. I’m talking the guys that are in the league full time and have been for years now.

And the only guy I can think of that’s definitely worse than him is Jonathan Quick. And he’s ancient and probably needs to retire. And even he had a pretty good game yesterday against Dallas and two shutouts this season.

Granted, Mrazek and Jones are probably two others. Jones has been doing for 5 years what Blackwood has been doing for 3 years.