Pre-Game Talk: Devils (M2) vs. Canes (M1), ECSF.

[Satans Hockey]

Presale is going on right now for round 2 tickets, looking at the prices now for it and I can't believe they are charging this much for Carolina. I expected it to be cheaper than the first round since its not the rangers but it's the same prices in a lot of areas.

 

[Nubmer6]

NJ killed thr Rangers after the first two games and the series would have ended in six if not for Shesterkin. I don’t see the Carolina offemse being as dangerous as thr Rangers offemse. Just play the same way they played against the Rangers the last few games and go from there. Treat Aho like Zibby and Burns like Fox and that’s your starting point . Carolina is an excellent team but if NJ can stay out the box it won’t be easy for Carolina if NJ plays with patience .

Carolina has good depth. Our bottom 6 has to step up. The Nico line has to shut down their top line and the Hughes line has to break their D.

At this point the only way I don’t see him coming back is if he wins a Cup and buys a round for us cynics on the way out

Don't the cynics owe HIM a beer?

The man's life is in danger due to alcohol poisoning.

 

[TheUnseenHand]

Carolina is undoubtedly a better team than the rags, however, they are like a jack of all trades, master of none. There is nothing on that team I point to and think it's going to dominate like the rags PP or Shesterkin. Maybe their PK, but our Powerplay is trash anyway. I think we have a good chance here, but on the whole, it feels like a coin flip.

 

[My3Sons]

Carolina has good depth. Our bottom 6 has to step up. The Nico line has to shut down their top line and the Hughes line has to break their D.

The bottom six has already stepped up. The Nico line shut down a better first line on the Rangers. Those elements should be in place. Jack should have success agsinst a lesser goalie. Fingers crossed. It’s more about that same layered defense where Carolina has to slog through all three zones. Carolina has depth on defense but their forward talent drops off quickly and they rely a lot on hustle and hard work and discipline. NJ has to match those elements and then they can hopefully exploit some sort of edge in skill. Maybe Schmid can give NJ a goaltending edge?

 

[guitarguyvic]

Setting aside the celebration of the victory for a sec...our top 6 needs to start producing in this round. We can only go so far relying on role players for goals. I think that's a big part of why the series against the Rangers went the full seven despite the Rangers being absolutely abysmal 5v5. If our top guys would have potted some, this series would probably have been done in 5 games or even a sweep. The good news is that they did get chances in the first round, so they just have to keep it up in round 2 and hopefully the goals will come.

 

[Nocashstyle]

Carolina is undoubtedly a better team than the rags, however, they are like a jack of all trades, master of none. There is nothing on that team I point to and think it's going to dominate like the rags PP or Shesterkin. Maybe their PK, but our Powerplay is trash anyway. I think we have a good chance here, but on the whole, it feels like a coin flip.

Yep. They are undoubtedly a better and more rounded team than the Rags (PP specialists and a Shesterkin bandaid). That said, a full healthy lineup, Carolina is deep at forward, but lacks a real elite game breaking piece. With injuries to what would be half of their top 6, that really cuts their depth. Their D is amongst the best in the league. Goaltending is more proven, but we’re also seeing what Schmid can do right now.

I really like the Devils chances here. Just not having to face another Shesterkin is a massive relief and hopefully helps Hughes, Hischier, Bratt, Meier, and Hamilton to pop off. Raanta definitely has the ability to steal games, but again, he’s no Shesterkin.

This should be a good one.

 

[Dialamo]

Setting aside the celebration of the victory for a sec...our top 6 needs to start producing in this round. We can only go so far relying on role players for goals. I think that's a big part of why the series against the Rangers went the full seven despite the Rangers being absolutely abysmal 5v5. If our top guys would have potted some, this series would probably have been done in 5 games or even a sweep. The good news is that they did get chances in the first round, so they just have to keep it up in round 2 and hopefully the goals will come.

Agreed. If Meier is ok to play he needs to put up points. I think he was snakebitten vs the Rangers. Bratt and Nico need to shoot more. I think they will start producing vs Carolina. That will be one of the biggest factors if we manage to beat Carolina.

 

[guitarguyvic]

I'm a bit concerned with the quick turnaround. Much like the first game in round 1, it's asking a lot of this team to be ready to move on from the high of beating the Rangers in a seventh game on such short notice. I wouldn't be surprised if Carolina takes game 1, and unlike the Rangers, they aren't going to be easy to come back against in a series, so getting behind the eight ball from the start could be very dangerous.

 

[Nubmer6]

I wouldn't be surprised if Carolina takes game 1, and unlike the Rangers, they aren't going to be easy to come back against in a series, so getting behind the eight ball from the start could be very dangerous

That was easy?

 

[guitarguyvic]

That was easy?

No lol I didn't mean to imply it was. Just that Carolina isn't a dogshit 5v5 team, so coming back on them would be even harder than it was against the Rangers.

 

[DevilsHughes86]

Should be fun, keep it going boys!!!! One at a time!!!!

LFGD

 

[The Devil In I]

f***ing annoyed that we didn't win in 6, because then we could have started this series today and had game 3 at home on Saturday. I'm in NJ for my fiancees bridal shower this weekend but leaving too early Sunday to go to the game.

 

[mtnet]

Great to be here, long time coming

Over the first hurdle now, and the boys have proven you can never count them out

 

[RSeen]

Carolina's forward group lines that I just saw absolutely should not be able to compete with ours.

 

[Billdo]

Tickets are super affordable in Raleigh. I went to their Whaler theme game against Boston in March and the tickets were $40 than they are for this round.

 

[Brooklyndevil]

The rangers will be back though. They have cap space to sign all of their RFA/UFAs, two of the top defensive prospects in all of hockey, a winger prospect with an insane shot, a potential Russian gem and a 21 year old superstar already on the team…oh wait, THATS US!!

This is the start of something beautiful no matter what happens from here on out.

Cheers boys and girls!

Changes are coming for the Rangers. They know they have to get faster. And what do they do with La Fran? I think he’s gone.

 

[Davegarri]

I think we match up well against Carolina, though they have proven all year to be tough to play against, even with all of the injuries.

My biggest concern with them is how well coached they are. Brind-a-mour is fantastic and will coach his ass off. Goaltending is going to be the x-factor here. We need Akira to stay hot.

 

[molon labe]

Are you guys taking bandwagon applications at the moment? I like Jack Hughes a lot.

 

[Brooklyndevil]

I think the cup is up for grabs. Toronto may be a slight favorite. But as we saw with Boston, anything can happen this year. All the remaining teams have a shot. And I don’t know why, I find the Kracken a bit scary with their 4 lines. We’ll see soon enough who are the teams with the best chances to win a championship.

 

[Camille the Eel]

Carolina is undoubtedly a better team than the rags, however, they are like a jack of all trades, master of none. There is nothing on that team I point to and think it's going to dominate like the rags PP or Shesterkin. Maybe their PK, but our Powerplay is trash anyway. I think we have a good chance here, but on the whole, it feels like a coin flip.

We have more raw skill. They can possibly skate with us, or not be as badly outskated as the Rangers were. But our class - raw skill level - should tell if we play again a structured, patient game, shut them down and take our opportunities as they arise.

They like the heavy forecheck. We should be able to break it if we keep our exits as crisp as they were during round 1.

We are the younger team too I think. Sheesh they rely on Jesper Fast et al. I thought our youth and freshness and having more gas in the tank at the end were a major factor in beating the Rangers (who, sheesh, were relying on Tarasenko, Kane, Panarin, Kreider, etc., hardly youngsters). The Rangers looked like a worn down team last night.

 

[Brooklyndevil]

The bottom six has already stepped up. The Nico line shut down a better first line on the Rangers. Those elements should be in place. Jack should have success agsinst a lesser goalie. Fingers crossed. It’s more about that same layered defense where Carolina has to slog through all three zones. Carolina has depth on defense but their forward talent drops off quickly and they rely a lot on hustle and hard work and discipline. NJ has to match those elements and then they can hopefully exploit some sort of edge in skill. Maybe Schmid can give NJ a goaltending edge?

We need to watch Burns carefully.

 

[independent observer]

Any update on Meier?

Nico said in an interview Meier is a tough guy and alright. So I guess he will play?!

 

[forceten]

Carolina is a very good TEAM. They don't have a lot of people who are individuals that stick out, but they do have some. Obviously, Sebastian Aho must be contained. You have to treat him like a Panarin and a Zibenajad and he could probably beat you both ways.

Brett Burns has been fantastic - their Dougie Hamilton (and he's actually Dougie's replacement). Doesn't play as old as he is. Dangerous. Jaccob Slavin is the heartbeat of that defense. He may not beat you offensively but then he's probably beating you defensively. Skjei is solid.

Necas has stepped up this year. In the offseason last year I was hoping CAR was going to give up on him and we could snag him for cheap. But he's become the player everyone assumed. He's like Dawson Mercer, maybe better right now. He's also the only 20+ goal scorer active on the roster other than Aho (36).

What they do have is very solid if unspectacular 2nd-4th lines that all can step up, all have strong crunch time performances. Staal. Stastny. And even the much maligned KK has been like Erik Haula in that toward the end of the year he really turned it on, and has continued that in the postseason. Don't assume he's still trash.

They're disciplined, they're well coached, they play the "game" with the officials.

We're a little faster, we're a lot more skilled especially in the top 6. Our defense is probably better top to bottom ,although I'd kill for Slavin as would anyone. People crap on Chatfield but the guy quietly led the team in +/- (not itself a great stat, I know, but it's something) and I've always seen him be solid. Think Bahl.

It will be a good series! Their goalies are inconsistent - amazing brick walls one day and swiss cheese the next.

Devils in 7

 

[Bcap88]

Any update on Meier?

Nico said in an interview Meier is a tough guy and alright. So I guess he will play?!

 

[Satans Hockey]

f***ing annoyed that we didn't win in 6, because then we could have started this series today and had game 3 at home on Saturday. I'm in NJ for my fiancees bridal shower this weekend but leaving too early Sunday to go to the game.

If it makes you feel any better, UFC 288 is at Prudential on Saturday so game 3 was never gonna happen that day anyway.