Post-Game Talk: Devils beat Sabres 4-3 in OT! The Zacha Edition

[Emperoreddy]

Sal breaking down plays on the big board with a hockey stick was the unsung hero of the night.

 

[NJ Fan 12]

He's been fine production-wise, but he just has 0 chemistry with Hughes tbh.

Curious as to how you reached that conclusion? The Hughes line has been arguably the Devils best line and generated the most chances - even during the losing streak.

 

[Emperoreddy]

There are like six people in thr GDT claiming to be Zacha's father

 

[NJ Fan 12]

Sorry but Goose should be one of the options. He had many great zone entries, which helped create the PP goal. He had an assist, 4 shots and generated a lot of chances. He is slowly regaining his form.

I wouldn't have put him ahead of Zacha, Wood or Hischier but he definitely pulled his weight and that group was definitely a plus on the night.

And for all the gnashing of teeth about special teams that second PP group seems to be clicking.

 

[Richer's Ghost]

There are like six people in thr GDT claiming to be Zacha's father

Some of us treat him like a step-son at times.

 

[Guadana]

Are devils don’t need to protect Zacha in Seattle draft? With his 2,25 per year? Still?

 

[Bcap88]

Sal needs to be a coach tbh

 

[NJDevs26]

Some of us treat him like a step-son at times.

Or a son-in law

 

[glenwo2]

There are like six people in thr GDT claiming to be Zacha's father

PFFT! That's nothing.

I claim to be Bratt, his father, and his Mom.

No one can beat that.

 

[Hisch13r]

Are devils don’t need to protect Zacha in Seattle draft? With his 2,25 per year? Still?

I never thought there was any doubt about him getting protected or not. He’ll be protected

 

[Guadana]

I never thought there was any doubt about him getting protected or not. He’ll be protected

we raised this issue earlier, and there were enough dissenters.

 

[Hisch13r]

we raised this issue earlier, and there were enough dissenters.

I’ve always been a big Zacha detractor and even I still never saw the sense in that. It’s not like we have all that much to protect and even with his general lackluster 5v5 play he provided great special teams value

 

[Nicomo Cosca]

Definitely wouldn’t expose Zacha even before this hot streak. Let them take Subban or Butcher.

 

[Guadana]

I’ve always been a big Zacha detractor and even I still never saw the sense in that. It’s not like we have all that much to protect and even with his general lackluster 5v5 play he provided great special teams value

Zacha is a dependent player. he is clearly not a driver of his lines. but he's a skill player. And he's talented enough to score points in the NHL. you can profitably exchange him or use him for own benefit, but just giving him away just to get rid of him is too much. beyond common sense. Even in this topic, you can find a comment like this

Yeah but what are his underlying stats? Brat is obviously carrying him? He's a passenger and hopefully Seattle takes him off our hands.

despite the fact that Zacha played in the third line before, despite the fact that he was already quite productive for a third line player, despite the fact that he earns his money(which is exactly what he should do - he is a worker. hockey player. the main measure of his work is his salary), despite the fact that he is young, people will still scold him, because Barzal. Although this is not Zaha's problem, but the draft specialist's. but people have always had problems with logical thinking and consistency of conclusions.

 

[Hisch13r]

Zacha is a dependent player. he is clearly not a driver of his lines. but he's a skill player. And he's talented enough to score points in the NHL. you can profitably exchange him or use him for own benefit, but just giving him away just to get rid of him is too much. beyond common sense. Even in this topic, you can find a comment like this
despite the fact that Zacha played in the third line before, despite the fact that he was already quite productive for a third line player, despite the fact that he earns his money(which is exactly what he should do - he is a worker. hockey player. the main measure of his work is his salary), despite the fact that he is young, people will still scold him, because Barzal. Although this is not Zaha's problem, but the draft specialist's. but people have always had problems with logical thinking and consistency of conclusions.

That comment in particular is sarcasm. That’s one of the Zacha defenders.

The issue I have with saying he was quite productive for a 3rd liner is that it really wasn't true. Raw pt totals then sure. That disregards that his ice time was more of a 2nd liner and his 5v5 production rates were below average for a 3rd liner. Last season for example he was in the 250s tied with Blake Comeau, Brock McGinn, and Zajac. His underlying numbers were also the worst of any of the regular forwards on the team last season. He was really more of a 3rd/4th liner who was a special teams specialist

 

[Guadana]

That comment in particular is sarcasm. That’s one of the Zacha defenders.

my bad.
I apologize to Billdo. It’s not a sarcasm.

he was good enough with good players last year and pretty bad with bad players. Like I said before he is a dependent player.

 

[OmNomNom]

its a nice problem to have now

 

[Better Call Sal]

 

[Clam Jensen]

Sal breaking down plays on the big board with a hockey stick was the unsung hero of the night.

Sal is an absolute gem. It’s been fun watching him progress as an on-air personality over the years.

 

[Jack Be Quick]

Here's what I want then :

To keep that line intact.

No more Johnsson - Hughes - Bratt.

As good as that line did, Nico-Bratt-Zacha just has that chemistry that you can't replicate.

You roll with the Euro line imo as well.

 

[Buyout Haula]

Sean Couturier: 118 points in first 287 games
Pavel Zacha: 117 points in first 280 games​

actually my advanced stats didn’t take into account last night..

pav has 120 points in 281 games

 

[BurntToast]

Even with his recent goals I would rather have Kukk over Goose (Call me crazy). The PK is so baffling and troubling. The number one issue is the sneak in backside to open look. Even at even strength the team struggles with shots/passes from the outside.

The young bloods put a smile on my face. People want more of them in the lineup but Devils don’t have space. You can’t ask for much more.

 

[Jack Be Quick]

Couturier led the Q in scoring in his 16-17 year old season.

Which was a more impressive showing than Zachas 18-19 year old year. But sure, Zachas gonna be one of the best 2 way centers in the game starting now because another player had a slow start playing as 3rd line center behind Giroux and Schenn

Because the Q matters in the NHL, obviously.

Galcheyuk is the man.

 

[Billdo]

There are like six people in thr GDT claiming to be Zacha's father

Yeah, they're all lying. I've got the paperwork to prove it.

 

[Camille the Eel]

Thinking it over in the cool light of dawn, we got some fortunate bounces last night that enabled the win. Both Wood’s tying goal in the 3d and Hischier’s go ahead were pure broken play good fortune bounces.

Plus the good fortune of Ullmark going down.

But that’s hockey. I don’t know another sport where random bounce stuff enters more into play. It was about time we had our turn.