GDT: Game # 11: Blue Jackets @ Devils, 7PM, MSG+

[TheUnseenHand]

It's only 2 guys though

Guys like Zajac, Zubrus, Henrique, and Ryder off the top of my head have noticeably been dumping it far more these past few games than they had at the beginning of the year

I'm not talking about carrying it in and blowing by guys all the time, rather carrying it in just over the blue line or to the faceoff circle and then making a move

As mentioned, teams have adjusted. They aren't getting fooled by that play where they start up ice and drop it way back to allow for entrance to the zone with speed. There is no speed on this team and other teams aren't afraid of getting burned. They stand right up and attack every player with the puck because they don't have that fear that they are gonna get beat with either a good pass or by speed. It's just simply not a forward lineup that is capable of carrying it in when the opponent pressures them.

 

[Wingman77]

As mentioned, teams have adjusted. They aren't getting fooled by that play where they start up ice and drop it way back to allow for entrance to the zone with speed. There is no speed on this team and other teams aren't afraid of getting burned. They stand right up and attack every player with the puck because they don't have that fear that they are gonna get beat with either a good pass or by speed. It's just simply not a forward lineup that is capable of carrying it in when the opponent pressures them.

Part of the problem is us failing to adapt to other teams adapting to us

Hardly will you see us shake it up and carry it up the middle of the neutral zone, it's always up the side boards, dump and chase

Other teams have their defensemen on our guy carrying the puck in and another guy playing man to man coverage on our guy in that situation so he is almost forced to dump. Henrique specifically got burned several times in that situation tonight trying to make the pass across ice to the middle, only to be deflected/turned over

 

[TheUnseenHand]

But how can you adapt without the skating ability to do so? Carrying the puck in, no matter how you do it, requires some level of speed and passing ability to make defenders think twice about fearlessly attacking you. I just don't think they have the personnel to pull off any kind of zone entry aside from dump and chase. And maybe they attack from the boards as opposed to the middle because it's just a safer bet. A turnover in the middle of the ice with the lack of speed this team has to recover is like a death sentence. At least from the boards you might be able to contain the counter rush to some extent.

 

[Wingman77]

But how can you adapt without the skating ability to do so? Carrying the puck in, no matter how you do it, requires some level of speed and passing ability to make defenders think twice about fearlessly attacking you. I just don't think they have the personnel to pull off any kind of zone entry aside from dump and chase. And maybe they attack from the boards as opposed to the middle because it's just a safer bet. A turnover in the middle of the ice with the lack of speed this team has to recover is like a death sentence. At least from the boards you might be able to contain the counter rush to some extent.

Perhaps having more support in some situations could be an option they could look at

Many a times when we are carrying it over into our offensive zone, our guys are there alone without an option to pull a short pass or a drop pass back - sometimes we are too spread out

 

[JK3]

But how can you adapt without the skating ability to do so? Carrying the puck in, no matter how you do it, requires some level of speed and passing ability to make defenders think twice about fearlessly attacking you. I just don't think they have the personnel to pull off any kind of zone entry aside from dump and chase. And maybe they attack from the boards as opposed to the middle because it's just a safer bet. A turnover in the middle of the ice with the lack of speed this team has to recover is like a death sentence. At least from the boards you might be able to contain the counter rush to some extent.

Exactly. More than a few times I've seen Clowe lumbering up ice with the puck which should be a clear cut odd man rush only to turn into an even situation or worse, actually outnumbered by the time we enter the zone lol.

 

[devilsblood]

But how can you adapt without the skating ability to do so? Carrying the puck in, no matter how you do it, requires some level of speed and passing ability to make defenders think twice about fearlessly attacking you. I just don't think they have the personnel to pull off any kind of zone entry aside from dump and chase. And maybe they attack from the boards as opposed to the middle because it's just a safer bet. A turnover in the middle of the ice with the lack of speed this team has to recover is like a death sentence. At least from the boards you might be able to contain the counter rush to some extent.

U can start by playing your best skaters more. People keep saying we have no team speed. We have some, but they rarely play.

 

[TheUnseenHand]

U can start by playing your best skaters more. People keep saying we have no team speed. We have some, but they rarely play.

Like who? Cami, Josefson, Brunner, to a lesser extent Gionta. These are the only guys I can see being considered average to slightly above average. Everyone else is slightly below average to slow.

 

[devilsblood]

Like who? Cami, Josefson, Brunner, to a lesser extent Gionta. These are the only guys I can see being considered average to slightly above average. Everyone else is slightly below average to slow.

well yeah, those 2 specifically.

Cammy will get minutes once he's back.

But how bout Ruutu? Guy has pretty decent wheels, decent offensive skills. Why are Clowe and Zub's both getting twice as many minutes as Ruutu?

 

[TheUnseenHand]

well yeah, those 2 specifically.

Cammy will get minutes once he's back.

But how bout Ruutu? Guy has pretty decent wheels, decent offensive skills. Why are Clowe and Zub's both getting twice as many minutes as Ruutu?

I can't answer that. I think Ruutu deserves a shot before either of those guys. Not sure why he hasn't gotten any looks.

 

[StnTwnDevil]

But how can you adapt without the skating ability to do so? Carrying the puck in, no matter how you do it, requires some level of speed and passing ability to make defenders think twice about fearlessly attacking you. I just don't think they have the personnel to pull off any kind of zone entry aside from dump and chase. And maybe they attack from the boards as opposed to the middle because it's just a safer bet. A turnover in the middle of the ice with the lack of speed this team has to recover is like a death sentence. At least from the boards you might be able to contain the counter rush to some extent.

I agree the lack of speed looks like an issue. But I don't think the Devil's struggles have been because other teams are adjusting to their method of getting into the off-zone. It seems like it's a culmination of a lot of poor decision making or poor execution on the right decisions. The PP is the only time it looks like they can generate anything.

Back to the speed issue, I'm not convinced it's the source of the Devil's issues right now. Devils didn't have a quick team last year either, and despite not winning consistently, they played a much stronger possession game than they are now.

Boucher and Brunner have unfortunately been pretty significant downgrades to the lineup right now. Brunner fizzled since his strong start, and Boucher has been invisible. It seems once Cammy and Havlat went down, the team's overall play dropped.

 

[Ben Matlock]

I have to say I feel bad for the Jackets, going from 4-2-0 to 4-7-0 with all those injuries. Oh well, 2 pts!

 

[NHL Fanatik*]

Devils doing alright without Cammy, Havlat, Gelinas, and Schneider playing awful.

This team has promise if guys like Larsson, JJ, and Severson continue to step it up.

 

[glenwo2]

And btw I think we can put the YS debate to rest, the 'You Suck'ers won in a knockout tonight. And the Devils finally gave up the ghost on jacking up the goal music (they must have got a LOT of complaints about that).

The YS'ers were certainly loud on TV.



Great win but......will the league SUSPEND Fartsmell for his late hit on Patty?

 

[Better Call Sal]

Really happy with the comeback win, loved the goals from the 2 Adams.

Sure, the team can be better, but to see where we stand this year compared to last, I'm very pleased with everything so far. Knowing the team can only improve from here makes me feel even better.

I'm not worried about Jagr, I think he gets better as the season goes on if last year was evidence of anything. Him and Zajac will be fine.

I'm with everyone else on Ruutu, he deserves a chance on a line playing higher minutes. I think he could provide more in a higher role than some of the other forwards.

Cory has looked very strong in the last 3 wins. Glad to see that it appears the Pittsburgh nightmare is behind him.

 

[Missionhockey]

Devils doing alright without Cammy, Havlat, Gelinas, and Schneider playing awful.

This team has promise if guys like Larsson, JJ, and Severson continue to step it up.

I didn't think Schneider played bad last night?

The first goal was a two on one and the second was a back door pass. He couldn't do anything on either.

 

[Brooklyndevil]

We do have speed, defensively that his, up front it's a problem. Even Elias looks slow or has definitely lost his speed. Clowe, Ryder, Jagr are real slow. Zub, Elias, Zajac and Henrique have mediocre speed.

Our best forward skaters are JJ, Brunner and little Gio. We need more speed in our top six. When will that happen I have no idea.

 

[Combat Koala]

well yeah, those 2 specifically.

Cammy will get minutes once he's back.

But how bout Ruutu? Guy has pretty decent wheels, decent offensive skills. Why are Clowe and Zub's both getting twice as many minutes as Ruutu?

That's what I've been wondering since the first few games. He's playing the least amount of minutes on the team, only 6:04 last night. He's good around the net and corners, can play a very physical game and has a decent shot. Despite the fact that his career has been on the decline for a couple of years I still think he would be better on the first line than Zubie or Clowe. But I wouldn't like to break him up with JJ since they seemed to play well together at least in my eyes.

 

[JimEIV]

I didn't think Schneider played bad last night?

The first goal was a two on one and the second was a back door pass. He couldn't do anything on either.

He played extremely well...if he plays like that every night we'll be in good shape.

Just need to eliminate the adventures from behind the net.

 

[DenisSamson3]

Devils post game:




Is it ok if I post them here after the games? Typically the Devs upload one every 2-3 games. Larsson talks at the beginning.

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

Devils doing alright without Cammy, Havlat, Gelinas, and Schneider playing awful.

This team has promise if guys like Larsson, JJ, and Severson continue to step it up.

Schneider has allowed 2 goals or less in regulation in 4 of the last 5.

 

[Bcap88]

that Henrique goal was eerly similar to the goal vs the rangers

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

Schneider leads the league in TOI for goalies

he needs a night off soon

 

[glenwo2]

that Henrique goal was eerly similar to the goal vs the rangers

Even the celebration was almost the same.

 

[SeidoN]

Schneider leads the league in TOI for goalies

he needs a night off soon

Pete be like "oh you want ice time? have ALL the ice time" lol

 

[glenwo2]

Schneider leads the league in TOI for goalies

he needs a night off soon

I'd play him against St. Louis at home and put...*gulp*...Clemmer in for the road game in St. Louis.