GDT: Your New Jersey Devils vs. Them (Hudson River Rivalry, 7 pm)

[Triumph]

One thing I will say about Meier is he is not afraid to just hammer the puck off the boards/glass to get it out of the defensive zone. I feel like a lot of our guys don't do that nearly as much and I wish they would. A number of times yesterday, I felt like they were trying to reverse the ice and go behind the net way too many times. It didn't end up burning them, but its not a habit I particularly like.

Part of why the Devils are so good is because they don't do this. I know it looks worse, but it is better. If a team doesn't exit their zone with control, they very rarely establish possession of the puck and that means the opponent is going to. It's a shame Daneyko just doesn't understand this and never will - he gets it on an intellectual level but on a base level of reacting to what he sees, he will always emphasize getting the puck out over controlling it. Of course, he played when icing the puck meant you could change lines; changing that rule has really changed some tactics in the NHL for the better.

 

[Sdevils42]

Part of why the Devils are so good is because they don't do this. I know it looks worse, but it is better. If a team doesn't exit their zone with control, they very rarely establish possession of the puck and that means the opponent is going to. It's a shame Daneyko just doesn't understand this and never will - he gets it on an intellectual level but on a base level of reacting to what he sees, he will always emphasize getting the puck out over controlling it. Of course, he played when icing the puck meant you could change lines; changing that rule has really changed some tactics in the NHL for the better.

It's a tight line to walk. You want a controlled breakout, something that the Devils were amazing at until recently but agree with the last post that sometimes the hard around is the best especially in the play offs, zone clearances are at a premium. And especially against the Rangers, they are very quick to capitalize on turnovers but have a hard time outside of their 1L about going all the way up the ice under control.

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

Part of why the Devils are so good is because they don't do this. I know it looks worse, but it is better. If a team doesn't exit their zone with control, they very rarely establish possession of the puck and that means the opponent is going to. It's a shame Daneyko just doesn't understand this and never will - he gets it on an intellectual level but on a base level of reacting to what he sees, he will always emphasize getting the puck out over controlling it. Of course, he played when icing the puck meant you could change lines; changing that rule has really changed some tactics in the NHL for the better.

thats a fair point...I hadn't thought about it that way to be honest.

 

[New Jersey]

Part of why the Devils are so good is because they don't do this. I know it looks worse, but it is better. If a team doesn't exit their zone with control, they very rarely establish possession of the puck and that means the opponent is going to. It's a shame Daneyko just doesn't understand this and never will - he gets it on an intellectual level but on a base level of reacting to what he sees, he will always emphasize getting the puck out over controlling it. Of course, he played when icing the puck meant you could change lines; changing that rule has really changed some tactics in the NHL for the better.

Personally, I love Dano'isms. I know this is not a very popular opinion.

 

[Nocashstyle]

Part of why the Devils are so good is because they don't do this. I know it looks worse, but it is better. If a team doesn't exit their zone with control, they very rarely establish possession of the puck and that means the opponent is going to. It's a shame Daneyko just doesn't understand this and never will - he gets it on an intellectual level but on a base level of reacting to what he sees, he will always emphasize getting the puck out over controlling it. Of course, he played when icing the puck meant you could change lines; changing that rule has really changed some tactics in the NHL for the better.

Except when you try to carry it out and turn it over before leaving the zone…

There’s a time and place. Sometimes it’s best to just read the situation and get it out.

 

[Devs3cups]

I'm not going to pile on Rango here 'cause Marino could've also sent the puck down the ice and he had the puck with no Rags player close to him to poke-check it away.

Just saying.

Not piling on him at all. As I said in my post, they had 2 opportunities to clear. I was talking about Marino and Rango. They both made a “mistake”.

With that said, if they executed, it might’ve led to a scoring chance. I think it just the context of the game, leading by 2? Make the safe play.

 

[Sdevils42]

I kept saying Timo was going to remind us of a mix between Arnott and Guerin when news first broke about him coming here. Tonight leaves me thinking that's pretty on track. He loves to shoot, he loves to hit.

High praise but deserved. 2 very underrated guys in the NHL landscape but not to Devils fans. 25 and 12 were huge parts of the franchise.

 

[Nocashstyle]

Honestly, I blame Marino more than Rango there. He’s the one who had all of the time in the world and decided to try to make the play. Rango caught the pass and basically had half a second to look up

 

[Mr Bojanglez]

 

[New Jersey]

Scorching, surface-of-the-sun take:

Not exactly the same type of player, and he plays a different position especially on the PP and it's a small sample size right now, but Timo might be the *closest* (extra emphasis on closest) player we've had to Kovalchuk since he defected to Russia.

Big power forward with a 50-cal sniper of a shot (devastating, yet accurate) who has no business being that quick.

He also gets into dirtier areas than Kovalchuk ever did.

Timo's f***ing scary.

 

[Mr Bojanglez]

One thing I will say about Meier is he is not afraid to just hammer the puck off the boards/glass to get it out of the defensive zone. I feel like a lot of our guys don't do that nearly as much and I wish they would. A number of times yesterday, I felt like they were trying to reverse the ice and go behind the net way too many times. It didn't end up burning them, but its not a habit I particularly like.

I agree.

And then using my words, not necessarily yours, I think we are too afraid to ice the puck sometimes. Like if we are gassed.... throw it down the rink. Get a 10-15 second break and try to clear it normally.

 

[Saugus]

Part of why the Devils are so good is because they don't do this. I know it looks worse, but it is better. If a team doesn't exit their zone with control, they very rarely establish possession of the puck and that means the opponent is going to. It's a shame Daneyko just doesn't understand this and never will - he gets it on an intellectual level but on a base level of reacting to what he sees, he will always emphasize getting the puck out over controlling it. Of course, he played when icing the puck meant you could change lines; changing that rule has really changed some tactics in the NHL for the better.

It depends on the situation. Yes, a controlled breakout and possession going the other way is better. But sometimes when you're hemmed in and likely to give up scoring chances if the puck stays in your zone, then chipping it out by any means necessary is the correct play.

It just requires the hockey sense to know when it's one situation, vs the other.

 

[ZachaFlockaFlame]

One thing I will say about Meier is he is not afraid to just hammer the puck off the boards/glass to get it out of the defensive zone. I feel like a lot of our guys don't do that nearly as much and I wish they would. A number of times yesterday, I felt like they were trying to reverse the ice and go behind the net way too many times. It didn't end up burning them, but its not a habit I particularly like.

Eh, not sure I agree. It's not fun to watch in the moment but there was maybe 2-3 times out of the whole game of them doing it where it bit them. Yeah, those 2-3 moments in the playoffs could be a deciding factor in a game/series but them being able to control possession in that fashion is huge and one of the big reasons why they've ate on the breakout pass. Marino and Graves pair does it ton when they're in the defensive zone which is probably what you were alluding at. Them also having an elite breakout pass on every pair probably also falls into that strategy.

 

[Hisch13r]

just read through the Rangers post game GDT lmao some take-quakes in there for sure

Multiple people saying we're the ones that got lucky when their one goal literally happened because of a phantom trip and then a clearing attempt bounce off someone right onto a Rangers stick

 

[glenwo2]

Man that play by Graves, holy smokes.

Completely aside from his play, he’s straight up one of the nicest guys on the planet. Really easy guy to root for.

But a nightmare-fuel spokesperson in a commercial.

 

[NJDevs26]

The only goal against last night was a mistake and a failed clearance, but hardly the worst thing we've seen this season, not even the last two weeks.

I love how they didn't change a thing after that GA. That held as the final score. Huge stones on everyone on this team.

Graves and Rango changed for the better, Rango in particular I thought earned a ticket to bench ville but he straightened out after.

 

[Hisch13r]

I still don't feel very confident in a series going up against Igor and especially so with how dog shit the finishing has been. On the other hand we should have no issues at all carrying the play against them. This honestly reminds me a lot of the Canes/Rangers matchup from last year. I do feel more confident in our chances than I did the Canes. We have the talent they don't. It's just a matter of if our talent actually steps up and produces. They haven't done nearly enough recently and that's likely going to need to turn around. Loved how we were defensively. We're going to need a lot of that to shut down their talent and especially so if our finishing doesn't turn around.

 

[ZachaFlockaFlame]

It depends on the situation. Yes, a controlled breakout and possession going the other way is better. But sometimes when you're hemmed in and likely to give up scoring chances if the puck stays in your zone, then chipping it out by any means necessary is the correct play.

It just requires the hockey sense to know when it's one situation, vs the other.

Yeah I definitely think it matters on situation, first or third period I don't mind it much where the bench is close by to change to get a relatively quick change but second period is probably where it's dumb to doing spin o Ramas in the sake of possession after getting caved in.

 

[Clam Jensen]

Best fans in the world

 

[Lou is God]

just read through the Rangers post game GDT lmao some take-quakes in there for sure

They seem to think they are fielding a team tougher than the Broad Street Bullies. I guess it's endearing.

 

[ZachaFlockaFlame]

I still don't feel very confident in a series going up against Igor and especially so with how dog shit the finishing has been. On the other hand we should have no issues at all carrying the play against them. This honestly reminds me a lot of the Canes/Rangers matchup from last year. I do feel more confident in our chances than I did the Canes. We have the talent they don't. It's just a matter of if our talent actually steps up and produces. They haven't done nearly enough recently and that's likely going to need to turn around. Loved how we were defensively. We're going to need a lot of that to shut down their talent and especially so if our finishing doesn't turn around.

The Canes actually have a defense and forwards are legit willing to get consistently back due to the effort that Brindamour asks for, we'd have to be very oppoturnistic versus them in a 7 game series where as the Rangers will bleed chances just based on speed. I also think the Canes swarming style would be tougher as oppose the Rangers globetrotting type of team they've assembled. The Rangers had a few chances last night and during the season series where they tried to one up NJ by making a sick move for a goal. Both series have their pros and cons, I'm taking NYR over CAR and probably the Islanders last in terms of realistic opponents.

 

[glenwo2]

Graves and Rango changed for the better, Rango in particular I thought earned a ticket to bench ville but he straightened out after.

I think this is why he wasn't outright benched (because Marino could've prevented that mistake from happening) :

Honestly, I blame Marino more than Rango there. He’s the one who had all of the time in the world and decided to try to make the play. Rango caught the pass and basically had half a second to look up

 

[Mr Bojanglez]

Best fans in the world

that guy still rocks. For all his ridiculousness

 

[Clam Jensen]

that guy still rocks. For all his ridiculousness

I actually like him more than any other ranger fan I’ve come across

 

[Saugus]

Multiple people saying we're the ones that got lucky when their one goal literally happened because of a phantom trip and then a clearing attempt bounce off someone right onto a Rangers stick

And our two goals were: a shot pass deflected in on a nice tip, and a PP one-timer after sustained passing. Both skill goals, not lucky.

I guess the best possible interpretation from their perspective is that a few of their shots hit posts, or that Vanecek got lucky in saving a few of their prime chances. But that's a strange thing to be arguing when their team gets routinely caved on possession and only gets bailed out by the PP and Shesterkin.