GDT: Carolina Flurrys @ New Jersey Adramelechs

[SteveCangialosi123]

Recorded the game and just watched it. I didn't read the GDT so I have no idea what the general consensus on the game was, but I thought we were terrible and didn't deserve to win. It happens, I'm not panicking. Kovy was the only forward besides cbgb that showed up. Zajac and Henrique were AWFUL I thought. Zajac is doing NOTHING offensively and Henrique couldn't finish. Also, Larsson is our best defenseman. I believe that 100%. If he doesn't improve at all from how he is he'd still be a number 2 defensman. But I have the feeling he'll be a clear cut number one by the end of the year. Kid is just so damn special. His positioning and stick are excellent and his vision and passing is breathtaking.

 

[PWiz30]

Second one was deflected, as was the third one. I don't blame him too much on the first goal. I feel like I'm a bit of Marty homer on here sometimes especially when arguing with the ''But Marty has a 902 save percentage, and that suggests he's a below average goaltender'' populous. So I figured I'd throw a little jab his way. He's been pretty damn good aside from the Isles game.

I think almost a third of the goals Marty has given up have been PP goals, so his even strength save percentage is way higher than last year.

My take on the goals tonight was this. First one he didn't have a chance, although I might want a second look at the play as a whole since I was pretty drunk. Second one, there was a decent amount of traffic but, being Marty, he should have been able to battle through it. Third goal was a defensive breakdown that he had a chance to make a save but certainly wasn't at fault for.

 

[Devils Dominion]

Can't blame Marty tonight but again he played the puck to an opponent on the pk and it ended up in the net shortly after. Happened about 4 or 5 times this season.

 

[Devils Dominion]

A game like tonight is where we missed Zube's board work.

It concerns me with so many games compacted together.

 

[DevilChuk*]

My take on the goals tonight was this. First one he didn't have a chance, although I might want a second look at the play as a whole since I was pretty drunk. Second one, there was a decent amount of traffic but, being Marty, he should have been able to battle through it. Third goal was a defensive breakdown that he had a chance to make a save but certainly wasn't at fault for.

1st one- Cane faked the shot and got Marty to bite, then passed it off to whoever scored the goal. Can't really blame Marty or Greene though Andy nearly blocked the empty net. Would have been a tough save even if Marty had known it was coming or Andy didn't get a piece of it.

2nd one- Deflection right in front of the net on a slapshot.. no way that is the goalie's fault.

3rd one- Only one Marty should have had and even then it hit off Volchenkov. Gotta know the guy is going to try to beat you over the shoulder with the angle he had.

And he's played the puck poorly only 4-5 times.. it's turned into a goal maybe twice.. cmon

 

[Bleedred]

My take on the goals tonight was this. First one he didn't have a chance, although I might want a second look at the play as a whole since I was pretty drunk. Second one, there was a decent amount of traffic but, being Marty, he should have been able to battle through it. Third goal was a defensive breakdown that he had a chance to make a save but certainly wasn't at fault for.

I can't blame him for deflections. No goaltender is gonna stop them unless it hits them. It moves too fast to make an athletic save. Split seconds we're talking.

Yes Cange that is the general consensus. Just what you said. I'm getting a little concerned about the PK. Not too concerned, but I think it could use some practice. To keep it from getting out of control. Also Zajac will not start doing much at even strength until we get a better winger on that line than Matteau. I need to stress this.

 

[NjDevsRR]

We lost a lot of board battles where Zubrus would have dominated. Miss him.

 

[Volodya Krutov]

We could try Butler. I think it's worth a shot. I'm gonna call a spade, and spade and I kept my mouth shut for the 5 game win streak. I'm gonna tell you right now we haven't had a good first line all year. I didn't even like Zubrus on the first line, but I'm really missing him right now. This could explain why Trav has been a no show offensively. I think you're seeing a big part of that at least.

Loktionov time? Who gets the call up if Zubrus goes on LTIR? If Janssen comes back up I might zip myself next time I finish taking a leak.

Butler had several shifts on the 1st line tonight but not a chance he'll be the solution. That line won't get drastically better offensively until they get a puck possession player that will cycle the puck down low with Travis. You have only 3 real options : Elias, Henrique or a trade. We still lack depth on wings. Until Lou makes a trade, we must remain patient with the 1st line's offensive production at ES.

Butler'd do very well playing Henrique and Elias too.

Ps: I don't say break up the EHC line, just a who fits with whom.

 

[PWiz30]

Okay, I didn't notice the deflection from my angle. Marty does seem to be forcing it though when he's playing the puck this year. Seems like that happens with him from time to time.

Also, I thought as overrated as he is, Cam Ward played extremely well tonight. He made a handful of really tough saves on shots that got redirected when he had a good bit of traffic to deal with in the first place.

 

[Bleedred]

Butler had several shifts on the 1st line tonight but not a chance he'll be the solution. That line won't get drastically better offensively until they get a puck possession player that will cycle the puck down low with Travis. You have only 3 real options : Elias, Henrique or a trade. We still lack depth on wings. Until Lou makes a trade, we must remain patient with the 1st line's offensive production at ES.

Butler'd do very well playing Henrique and Elias too.

Ps: I don't say break up the EHC line, just a who fits with whom.

That's the problem. If we break up the 2nd line, then that line sucks. There's gotta be something better than Matteau on the 1st line though. I thought he wasn't even projected to top out as a top line player. We need something better on that line pretty soon. I'm all out of ideas, but Matteau is not for the 1st line. Until we get a better option people will be calling for Travis's head, and continue to call him out for not scoring.

 

[Volodya Krutov]

Not only Ward but Carolina played very well tonight. Defence is a weakness but they know how to keep the puck in the offensive zone on the other hand.

They seem similar to how the Devils were playing for the most part of last season.

 

[Volodya Krutov]

That's the problem. If we break up the 2nd line, then that line sucks. There's gotta be something better than Matteau on the 1st line though. I thought he wasn't even projected to top out as a top line player. We need something better on that line pretty soon. I'm all out of ideas, but Matteau is not for the 1st line. Until we get a better option people will be calling for Travis's head, and continue to call him out for not scoring.

That doesn't matter, let them talk. At least this line is getting the job done in the Dzone and the team's scoring depth will make the difference more often than not.

Devils fans just need to be more patient. I think Lou will make this trade quite late in the season. I must admit that Barch is not that bad but I believe the Devils are currently sandbagging IMO. Exactly same as last year. The main goal is to get ready at the right time. Only the Cup matters.

 

[Bleedred]

That doesn't matter, let them talk. At least this line is getting the job done in the Dzone and the team's scoring depth will make the difference more often than not.

Devils fans just need to be more patient. I think Lou will make this trade quite late in the season. I must admit that Barch is not that bad but I believe the Devils are currently sandbagging IMO. Exactly same as last year. The main goal is to get ready at the right time. Only the Cup matters.

I still would like a better option for the 1st line. Do not feel confident in that line producing regularly with Matteau. Maybe Loktionov can help?

 

[MasterofGrond]

Need a damn forward.

 

[Volodya Krutov]

I still would like a better option for the 1st line. Do not feel confident in that line producing regularly with Matteau. Maybe Loktionov can help?

I don't think Loktionov will play wing, let alone on the 1st line. I'm also very doubtful he could center the 2nd line to move up either Elias or Henrique.
To me Loktionov is here to make the bottom 6 better. Him as a legit top 6 center seems a bit premature.

So no, I don't think Loktionov will directly make the 1st line better.

 

[DevilChuk*]

That's the problem. If we break up the 2nd line, then that line sucks. There's gotta be something better than Matteau on the 1st line though. I thought he wasn't even projected to top out as a top line player. We need something better on that line pretty soon. I'm all out of ideas, but Matteau is not for the 1st line. Until we get a better option people will be calling for Travis's head, and continue to call him out for not scoring.

The 2nd line has played well but it's not untouchable.

Things need a-changing:

Henrique - Zajac - Kovalchuk
Zubrus - Elias - Clarkson
Carter - Gionta - Bernier
Butler - Josefson - Barch/Matteau

If Zubrus is out long term, give Lotkinov or Butler a shot there (even if you have to move Elias to LW to give Lotkinov a shot at 2C). I'd much rather have the 1st line going than the 2nd line.. especially since we know Elias will always produce and Clarkson.. somehow.. will always produce.

 

[Volodya Krutov]

I totally agree with the idea to play Henrique on the 1st line once everyone is healthy, if that happens one day.

This line would be lethal in the offensive zone and Zajac'd finally get his fair share of points for sure.

 

[PWiz30]

The 2nd line has played well but it's not untouchable.

Things need a-changing:

Henrique - Zajac - Kovalchuk
Zubrus - Elias - Clarkson
Carter - Gionta - Bernier
Butler - Josefson - Barch/Matteau

If Zubrus is out long term, give Lotkinov or Butler a shot there (even if you have to move Elias to LW to give Lotkinov a shot at 2C). I'd much rather have the 1st line going than the 2nd line.. especially since we know Elias will always produce and Clarkson.. somehow.. will always produce.

Way too soon to break up the Elias Henrique Clarkson line. They had a bad game and lost. It happens.

 

[DevilChuk*]

I totally agree with the idea to play Henrique on the 1st line once everyone is healthy, if that happens one day.

This line would be lethal in the offensive zone and Zajac'd finally get his fair share of points for sure.

I would do it now, even if Zubrus can't play soon.

Butler - Elias - Clarkson (or even Elias - Lotkinov - Clarkson, if Lotkinov can handle top 6 minutes) will be OK. They won't be asked to pick up the load that the 2nd line is scoring at right now because the 1st line will be better.

Hell, I'm becoming more and more of the opinion that the 3rd line should also be broken up. They have amazing chemistry but that doesn't mean they can't develop chemistry with other players. Could see Bernier getting a shot on the 2nd line if Zubrus is out. Butler would fit fine in his slot on the 3rd line.

 

[DevilChuk*]

Way too soon to break up the Elias Henrique Clarkson line. They had a bad game and lost. It happens.

Nothing at all to do with how they are playing.

End of the day, it's better to have a 1st AND 2nd line that is producing steadily than a 1st line that is doing nothing and a 2nd line that is producing big time.

 

[Volodya Krutov]

I would do it now, even if Zubrus can't play soon.

Butler - Elias - Clarkson (or even Elias - Lotkinov - Clarkson, if Lotkinov can handle top 6 minutes) will be OK. They won't be asked to pick up the load that the 2nd line is scoring at right now because the 1st line will be better.

Hell, I'm becoming more and more of the opinion that the 3rd line should also be broken up. They have amazing chemistry but that doesn't mean they can't develop chemistry with other players. Could see Bernier getting a shot on the 2nd line if Zubrus is out. Butler would fit fine in his slot on the 3rd line.

You could play Elias with Janssen/Barch and it'd still be a positive corsi line. I'm with you.

 

[Jersey Man]

Didn't watch a second of the game but I heard about Kovy's goal and how we apparently suck on faceoffs. goodnight.

 

[DevilChuk*]

Didn't watch a second of the game but I heard about Kovy's goal and how we apparently suck on faceoffs. goodnight.

http://www.nhl.com/scores/htmlreports/20122013/FC020178.HTM

Meh.. we were okay face-off wise.. though Gionta had a brutal night.

 

[MartyOwns]

baaah it's ok if zajac didn't score again...he's "seeing the ice" so well! he's been "superb defensively!" so what if our first line isn't clicking at all? they aren't there to score, they are defensive specialists! who cares?? we're winning, right?

 

[Billdo]

I'd like to roll with this when the time comes...

Kovalchuk-Zajac-Zubrus
Elias-Henrique-Clarkson
Carter-Gionta-Bernier
Josefson-Loktionov-Butler