GDT: #1 NJ Devils at Pittsburgh Penguins, 7pm, MSG+

[Bleedred]

I'm okay with Gio in the lineup because as someone already said, you got a bunch of people who've never played with each other before, and CBGB is the only line that's played together before.

If Fayne is back in the lineup tomorrow night, it won't be a big deal. But if Pete doesn't have the nuts to put him in tomorrow night (Especially if we lose tonight) then he just doesn't have a set at all.

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

You dont play your absolute top 12 forwards basically ever. We have no one else on the team who is a pure energy guy willing to throw his body around and be physical against other teams top 2 lines.

There is a reason he is on the 4th line and there is a reason that goons are still playing this game. Its not all about pure skill no matter how much people want it to be for easy analysis.

if Gionta is playing against other team's top 2 lines than we are in trouble.

If he is the best fit on the fourth line out of all the possible options, he should play. I'm not saying he is, but picking the 12 best individuals isn't always the best choice.

why shouldnt it be? Gionta does nothing better than Josefson. Josefson was arguably our BEST forward in the preseason. Why should gionta play over him?

I'm legitimately confused as to why people are arguing that Gio is in the lineup. Him and Josefson would have the same impact playing on the 4th line.

You guys are reacting like this is going to break the team.

again, Josefson does nothing worse than Gionta.

 

[NJDevs26]

Using last year is a horrible example. Our forward depth was absolute garbage.

Defense, though, we know how poorly the 8 man defense was used already. That was doomed from the start.

Like I said yesterday it's not that Gionta played every game that was the big problem, it's that he got way overplayed, particularly on special teams. And we had depth on defense last year and Fayne/Larsson still got the shaft over Harrold.

 

[britdevil]

Go BASED DOVALS.

 

[SteveCangialosi123]

Gio should be the extra forward. Why not start with your strongest unit? I'm not that mad, I just hope Pete doesn't think Gio is a better player than Josefson.

 

[MaddogDevil]

Let's go boys!!!!

Didn't see this posted, Class move by Marty!

 

[Emperoreddy]

Excited to see Cory, and really excited to see what Jagr brings tonight. Should be fun. Rather focus on that then what's going on in the bottom lines right now.

 

[glenwo2]

I didnt scream, *****, or question pete so what are ya talkin about? I responded to someone saying Gio should potentially be in over Lokti. That's dumb to me. I'm allowed to have that opinion.

I'm perplexed that you interpreted my post that way.


Where did I say that you aren't allowed to have any sort of opinion?


I was merely pointing out that we all(that includes me, and everyone else which includes you) can complain and say all we like regarding Pete's decisions...it's just that there's nothing we can really do about it except just deal with it the best we can.

 

[onefatsurfer]

Fayne should be in over Harrold. Josefson should be in over Gionta. Pete starts the season off with horrendous personnel choices.. Yet again

 

[glenwo2]

Fayne should be in over Harrold. Josefson should be in over Gionta. Pete starts the season off with horrendous personnel choices.. Yet again

It seems it's Par for the course for Pete.


Let's just hope he plays Cory more than Marty.

 

[Ugene Magic]

Lines update for you. Good luck, guys/gals.

Lineup update per, Sam Kasan:

Head coach Dan Bylsma said that winger James Neal (upper-body) is a game-time decision.

Penguins Line-up:

1st Line--->14 C. Kunitz|87 S. Crosby|9 P. Dupuis
2nd line--->46 J. Vitale|71 E. Malkin|36 J. Jokinen
3rd line--->19 B. Bennett|16 B. Sutter|12 C. Kobasew
4th line--->15 T. Glass|17 D. Jeffrey|27 C. Adams

DEFENSE

1st pair--->4 R. Scuderi|2 M. Niskanen
2nd pair--->44 B. Orpik|7 P. Martin
3rd pair--->3 O. Maatta|41 R. Bortuzzo

GOALIES

29 M.A. Fleury​

 

[Lindys Lazy Eye]

Hopefully a win tonight will off-set the crappy on-ice moves. I'm not too up in arms over Fayne and JJ sitting. However hopefully PDB doesn't make a habit of it.

 

[MadDevil]

I don't mind Gionta being in the lineup, except I know he's going to play center when there is not one reasonable explanation for him to do so.

 

[onefatsurfer]

There is not one reasonable explanation for Fayne or Josefson to be out of the lineup

 

[glenwo2]

I don't mind Gionta being in the lineup, except I know he's going to play center when there is not one reasonable explanation for him to do so.

It's amazing the hate that "Little Big Nose" is getting around here now.

I, too, cringe whenever he gets into the Face-Off position with an opposing player 'cause I know he will almost always lose the puck battle there....but I also know he will work his ass off on the ice doing whatever he can to help the team.

And, with all due respect, I think he has been a bit more beneficial to this team than not(awful faceoffs notwithstanding).

 

[onefatsurfer]

He has been acceptable, but Josefson is better in every facet and has more upside as well..

 

[NJDFan4Life]

Hockey is back!!! I am so pumped for tonight & ready to get this season going. I'm very excited for this years team and cannot wait to see what the new faces bring to the table. Here is to another amazing season with all you guys & looking forward to see this team in action.

Cheers

 

[MadDevil]

It's amazing the hate that "Little Big Nose" is getting around here now.

I, too, cringe whenever he gets into the Face-Off position with an opposing player 'cause I know he will almost always lose the puck battle there....but I also know he will work his ass off on the ice doing whatever he can to help the team.

And, with all due respect, I think he has been a bit more beneficial to this team than not(awful faceoffs notwithstanding).

Which is why if he's playing he should on the left wing and Carter should be in the middle, but Pete is so damn stubborn about not having a right handed shot playing left wing.

 

[DEVILS ALL THE WAY*]

There is not one reasonable explanation for Fayne or Josefson to be out of the lineup

This is a 82 game marathon... not a sprint. Can everyone just calm the **** down please, geeeeeeeeeeeeeeez.

Our 4th line has been nothing short of amasing the past 24 months, so switching Gionta for Josefson shouldn't be a sign of concern for anyone.

I can get the Fayne Vs Harrold (even #28) debate but who cares, it's game #1 of a full schedule... so let's just get over it and move on. If we're still seeing Fayne in the pressbox by game #15, then by all means, let's start pitch forking everyone in sight.

 

[Khione]

Lokti 1+1, second star.

 

[glenwo2]

Which is why if he's playing he should on the left wing and Carter should be in the middle, but Pete is so damn stubborn about not having a right handed shot playing left wing.

So in other words, it's not a case of "LBN" being at fault here but it's more the Coach's fault for being an idiot.

 

[PWiz30]

I remember being at that game, sitting 7 rows to his right. As it happened my friends and I had no idea what happened. It wasn't till I got home that we saw Zajac's sneaking move haha

Hah, that's awesome. I either missed that or forgot about it.

 

[AfroThunder396]

Josefson should be on the 3rd line, not the 4th line.

For the past three years he's been smart enough to tread water at the NHL level based on hockey intelligence alone, but now he has the experience, confidence, and physical ability to actually be an offensive contributor. He needs better minutes than 4th line match-ups.

 

[Bleedred]

Josefson should be on the 3rd line, not the 4th line.

For the past three years he's been smart enough to tread water at the NHL level based on hockey intelligence alone, but now he has the experience, confidence, and physical ability to actually be an offensive contributor. He needs better minutes than 4th line match-ups.

I actually think he might work out better on the 4th line. I don't see enough offense from him to be on the 3rd line, though that could change.

He was pretty productive with Carter and Bernier before his injury in 11-12.

 

[glenwo2]

Josefson should be on the 3rd line, not the 4th line.

For the past three years he's been smart enough to tread water at the NHL level based on hockey intelligence alone, but now he has the experience, confidence, and physical ability to actually be an offensive contributor. He needs better minutes than 4th line match-ups.

Problem is :

Who do we take out of the 3rd line?