I’m not quite sure it’s the same system from last year with Brunette. I think the D zone coverage looks similar. We’re not nearly as fast either.
@Devils731 is really good at breaking this stuff down.
I can’t pin down anything that looks significantly different than last year in the cycle defense.
I think the forwards are playing lower in the zone and collapsing into the slot more quickly but it’s not a big change.
I think the big changes may be philosophical rather than X and O. This year the Devils seem to get next to the puck but then not engage while last year I think they may have chosen to engage the puck carrier and cut off passing lanes more frequently.
I also think teams just have a better book on the Devils this year. Spreading your forwards, rimming the puck around, and keep both defenseman in the zone supporting the forecheck until the last moment. Those things all worked well last year but now it seems like teams execute those ideas almost every night against the Devils and they do all the effective things rather than just 1 or 2.
So, for me, I don’t think the system has changed much but I think there may have been a messaging change that makes the system less effective and opponents are more aware of the weaknesses and play stronger against the system.