GDT: Devils @ Canadiens - 7:00 PM - MSG

[Saugus]

Speed is part of forechecking, too. Jacks 2nd goal last night was proof of that. The MTL defender gets the puck along the wall and looks like he's going to clear. Mercer comes in fast before he can make a pass to force a turnover in MTL's zone, and Jack is able to get over fast enough to be in position for an easy goal.

We were one-dimensional last year with our transition game. Now we have a forecheck game. If you can find more physical guys who can still skate and score like Wood, Zetterlund, etc I'm all ears, but I won't sacrifice our speed and skill to do it.

Yes, precisely. The Devils' speed to attack the puck disrupts the decision making process of the opposing defenders when they start their breakout. You can almost see it in real time how the forecheckers get inside the defenseman's OODA loop and cause him to panic, leading to turnovers which we can cash in on.

When we can do that consistently and thrive off of it, who cares if we can finish a couple of extra checks? It's not like we're slouches at winning pucks in board battles either.

 

[Sgt Brylin]

We didn't get bullied by Tampa as much as we got outcheapshotted by them between Kucherov headhunting Vatanen and Hedman taking a stick to Nico's nuts.

That series still bugs me to this day. I really want to respect and enjoy what Tampa's built and how they've managed to stay relevant and competitive (and win) over so long a period, but this series always taints it for me. Petty, I know, but everytime I hear someone praise Hedman all I think is "big man chucked a teen in the noggards".

I thought the PP looked much better last night



I'm pretty sure we're like the best rush and cycle team in the league. At least top 3 in both. Also we literally are built similarly to how TB was. TB was pretty small up front and big on the backend. That's literally us as well.

Which, incidentally, is perfect. Because nagging annoyance aside, if we can build a team like Tampa around Nico and Jack, we're SET for the next decade.

 

[The Wumpus]

The Devils trapped the Canadiens into thinking the Canadiens had a chance to skate with the Devils once New Jersey stepped on the ignition. But that was the only trapping done all night at the Bell Center.

I know what you meant but

 

[SteveCangialosi123]

I like to check on opposing GDTs before and after games and they usually start questioning if we’re really any good and then they end up like this

 

[Camille the Eel]

Yes, precisely. The Devils' speed to attack the puck disrupts the decision making process of the opposing defenders when they start their breakout. You can almost see it in real time how the forecheckers get inside the defenseman's OODA loop and cause him to panic, leading to turnovers which wePl can cash in on.

When we can do that consistently and thrive off of it, who cares if we can finish a couple of extra checks? It's not like we're slouches at winning pucks in board battles either.

Plus we are so much better positioned and aggressive in the neutral zone, at our own blue line and in our own end above the dots (as the opposition approaches) that half the turnovers we forced in 3d period were in those regions. When the other club gets the puck our pressure everywhere is a hundred times better than it was a year ago. We aren't backing in and allowing other clubs to skate through the neutral zone any more.

That's a kind of forecheck too. Forecheck, back check, I guess I call it check. It integrates with the counterattack. We got the power play goal last night and the empty netter at the end. The 2d, 3d and 4th goals were all because we generated turnovers.

 

[Better Call Sal]

Blank and titled, for your preference.

 

[ZachaFlockaFlame]

In theory yes, but the playoffs are generally called differently and played differently than the regular season. You NEED to be Colorado-like talented to win with only smallish skill players. Tampa had enough size and played edgy to complement its skill, plus had great goaltending.

I don't understand why people even want to be one-dimensional, it seems like it's some badge of honor around here to only win with speed and offensive skill and not need physicality. Being one-dimensional just makes it harder to thread the needle when there's more pressure and less margin for error.

It has nothing to do with that, it's going to be their first run with this core if they make it. Let them play first before we start complaining about their size being an issue. And sure the playoffs are called differently but it's not like this team is 2021-2022 Rangers dependent on the powerplay. Them playing 5v5 is way better for them come playoffs even if the tempo becomes more physical.

 

[glenwo2]

Any questions?

Still don't want the Isles to be that close.

Can't they just go on a long losing streak and F*** OFF already?

 

[glenwo2]

What made me think that was that Hughes flubbed about 4859696 chances and had some real sketchy D zone play. Bratt was completely invisible. But just for the first period. Bratt I still think had a rough game by his standard. He looked either sick or maybe injured. Says a lot that he still walks away with a goal. Hughes turned it around, but still maybe some real lazy D zone plays that could have been super dangerous.

On the whole, the team, as they have the last 4 games or so, really turned up the heat in the second and just ran the habs into the ground.

And an assist.

Gotta work on that defense but: the successor.

MMMM....In rare company, Bratt is.

 

[New Jersey]

All I could think about on the fourth goal was Jake Allen’s hilarious record against us.

Benny Hill theme music worthy.

 

[glenwo2]

Stevens-Rafalski
Niedermayer-White
Daneyko-Albelin

or

Siegenthaler-Hamilton
Graves-Marino
Smith-Severson

Give me Daneyko-Albelin over Smith-Sevs anyday. WOOF.

Yes, @Bleedred , I know how bad they were in their latter years but that just shows how low I think of Smith and Sevs right now.

 

[New Jersey]

Enjoying the ride for sure. But still leery knowing that Devils have yet to play Boston, Toronto, Tampa, Florida, the Rangers or Carolina.

We got this.

*They* haven’t played *us* yet, either.

 

[Eggtimer]

I haven’t watched much of the Islanders outside of our game but how are they as good as theor record? I didnt think they were really that impressive ? Sorokin And was about it for being impressed.

About incoming Leafs game- their D is hurting . No Muzzin and one other regular (not sure who)
They are pretty weak on D but of course they have a few weapons up front.
Shaky goaltending . I am confident we can win , but I’d think that against any team right now with how we have been playing this year.
Leafs are also pretty slow which will be to our advantage

 

[TheUnseenHand]

I haven’t watched much of the Islanders outside of our game but how are they as good as theor record? I didnt think they were really that impressive ? Sorokin And was about it for being impressed.

About incoming Leafs game- their D is hurting . No Muzzin and one other regular (not sure who)
They are pretty weak on D but of course they have a few weapons up front.
Shaky goaltending . I am confident we can win , but I’d think that against any team right now with how we have been playing this year.
Leafs are also pretty slow which will be to our advantage

I don't think we will be afforded the same luxury of starting as slow as we have the last 5 games though.

 

[Jersey Fresh]

Let’s worry about the playoffs once we get there, but I don’t think there’s any question this team needs to be much more prepared for the physicality than I think they are.

 

[Sgt Brylin]

Plus we are so much better positioned and aggressive in the neutral zone, at our own blue line and in our own end above the dots (as the opposition approaches) that half the turnovers we forced in 3d period were in those regions. When the other club gets the puck our pressure everywhere is a hundred times better than it was a year ago. We aren't backing in and allowing other clubs to skate through the neutral zone any more.

That's a kind of forecheck too. Forecheck, back check, I guess I call it check. It integrates with the counterattack. We got the power play goal last night and the empty netter at the end. The 2d, 3d and 4th goals were all because we generated turnovers.

Devils only trap.

 

[MartyOwns]

I haven’t watched much of the Islanders outside of our game but how are they as good as theor record? I didnt think they were really that impressive ? Sorokin And was about it for being impressed.

they’re decent, but they’re no match for a fast team so i’m not worried about them. goaltending is making them seem better than they are.

 

[theoptimist]

All I could think about on the fourth goal was Jake Allen’s hilarious record against us.

Benny Hill theme music worthy.

It would have been oh so real if we lost

 

[theking72]

Zacha was the problem all along

 

[My3Sons]

Let’s worry about the playoffs once we get there, but I don’t think there’s any question this team needs to be much more prepared for the physicality than I think they are.

That's why you have to go through it once or twice as a group to see what works and what needs changing. In my view, you can't just add some third line grinder and call it a day. The team is still going as far as Jack, Bratt, Nico, Dougie, Marino, Siegenthaler, and Vanacek take it. Replacing Boquist on the third line with an older slower bigger guy who will hit and fight more won't likely be the difference in the outcome for this team in the playoffs. It's the core guys that have to be prepared. Jack and Nico will be on the ice approximately 40 minutes per game, maybe a few more minutes in some games. They will have to be ready to be hit, held, mugged, forced to pull a player like a husky pulling a sled, sticked, boarded, etc.

 

[Cheddabombs]

Zacha was the problem all along

Take that back

 

[glenwo2]

That's why you have to go through it once or twice as a group to see what works and what needs changing. In my view, you can't just add some third line grinder and call it a day. The team is still going as far as Jack, Bratt, Nico, Dougie, Marino, Siegenthaler, and Vanacek take it. Replacing Boquist on the third line with an older slower bigger guy who will hit and fight more won't likely be the difference in the outcome for this team in the playoffs. It's the core guys that have to be prepared. Jack and Nico will be on the ice approximately 40 minutes per game, maybe a few more minutes in some games. They will have to be ready to be hit, held, mugged, forced to pull a player like a husky pulling a sled, sticked, boarded, etc.

And this would make Bratt's presence all the more crucial while Jack and Nico have a target on their backs.

He must also take a more "selfish" approach, should the Devils make it to the playoffs (ie SHOOT THE GODDAMN PUCK).

 

[Richer's Ghost]

Zacha was the problem all along

Some of us tried telling you... dude was a triangle and ran out of corners

 

[ZachaFlockaFlame]

Enjoying the ride for sure. But still leery knowing that Devils have yet to play Boston, Toronto, Tampa, Florida, the Rangers or Carolina.

The Rangers LOL

 

[Bcap88]

My favorite part so far during this run is the third periods. They have forced the issue and haven’t sat back while protecting a lead or have given up while being down