GDT: Game #65- Devils @ Habs : 7pm ET

[MadDevil]

We're gonna miss Sevs when he's gone

As divisive of a player as he can be, dude has been a good soldier through some pretty rough years, and I hope he gets a nice fat contract from somebody else in free agency.

 

[My3Sons]

Actually its a D+

No Lovejoy mention

No. When it comes to my interaction with @Bleedred i don’t talk about Lovejoy except perhaps in passing. If I was going to knock the impression it would be because the Blackwood extension was only for five years instead of the full 8. Bleed’s angry all caps profanity filled tirades are a guilty pleasure and if I can help inspire him to share those with us I have done my job. Given the context I’d give the impression a solid B.

 

[glenwo2]

2 goals tomorrow for Jack. 1 for Timo. Book it!

Only if Bratt is put back on the line.

Boqvist is not having the effect Lindy (for some strange reason) thought he would.

 

[Bad Goalie]

On a line with Holtz in Utica

We wouldn't mind that for a minute but realize it AIN"T HAPPENING, LOL!

 

[Bleedred]

Not for nothing, but the Canes have a goalie problem and it’s more glaring than what we have.

Andersen is old and broken down. And he’s always injured at the wrong times.

Raanta is old, breaking down, but doesn’t get hurt quite as much as Andersen and we saw what he did in the last two games of that Rangers series.

Kochetkov is kind of like their Schmid. They might wanna hand the keys to him sooner than later.

 

[Comparison Ford]

love winning a game we r supposed to win. onto the next !

 

[glenwo2]

One final point :

You can healthy-scratch Bratt all you want.

You could set his ass on-fire and that STILL won't get him going on THAT line he was on.

He just does not FIT with that Palat and Haula combo.

Put him back on the 2nd line and let him develop chemistry with Timo like he has done with Jack.

End of story (at least from my point of view).


Good night, everyone.

 

[jkrdevil]

One final point :

You can healthy-scratch Bratt all you want.

You could set his ass on-fire and that STILL won't get him going on THAT line he was on.

He just does not FIT with that Palat and Haula combo.

Put him back on the 2nd line and let him develop chemistry with Timo like he has done with Jack.

End of story (at least from my point of view).


Good night, everyone.

Here is the thing with a potential Meier-Hughes-Bratt combo right now with Hughes clearly being impacted by injury…I think that line is susceptible to high danger counter attacks (that out rate the expected xG) and scrambly defensively as a result. That is three players on one line who all try to make high risk plays and the key guy is basically playing hurt. I think it is a combo that probably works when Jack is healthy, but right now he isn’t.

Now I would maybe try moving Haula back with Jack and Meier, and running Boqvist between Palat and Bratt and see how that goes. Overall they are still a strong possession team and you are dealing with things at the margins. I rather be more sure on the defensive end.

 

[HersheyBob27]

One final point :

You can healthy-scratch Bratt all you want.

You could set his ass on-fire and that STILL won't get him going on THAT line he was on.

He just does not FIT with that Palat and Haula combo.

Put him back on the 2nd line and let him develop chemistry with Timo like he has done with Jack.

End of story (at least from my point of view).


Good night, everyone.

Night buddy

 

[TheNeutralZone]

We're gonna miss Sevs when he's gone

 

[tailfins]

From my limited viewing, it seems like Meier is the problem right now.

I think drop him to the third line with Haula and Palat. Bring back the Hughes Bratt line and Hischier Tatar.

If not that, then put Hischier with Meier.

My sense is that Meier needs someone who can cover for him as he learns the system. Putting him and Jack out there is causing problems.

But, I’m only able to catch parts of games these days. So, possible I’m missing something?

 

[glenwo2]

Here is the thing with a potential Meier-Hughes-Bratt combo right now with Hughes clearly being impacted by injury…I think that line is susceptible to high danger counter attacks (that out rate the expected xG) and scrambly defensively as a result. That is three players on one line who all try to make high risk plays and the key guy is basically playing hurt. I think it is a combo that probably works when Jack is healthy, but right now he isn’t.

Now I would maybe try moving Haula back with Jack and Meier, and running Boqvist between Palat and Bratt and see how that goes. Overall they are still a strong possession team and you are dealing with things at the margins. I rather be more sure on the defensive end.

There is an old saying I believe you've heard of :

“Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.”

Keeping Bratt on the 3rd line is NOT working; putting Boqvist on the 2nd line is NOT working.


Also, I don't get why some here continue to give Jack the "injury" excuse when no one knows whether he has an actual injury he's hiding or something (which in itself is irresponsible if true by him but I doubt that's the case).

"Clearly impacted by injury", you say? WE DON'T KNOW THAT.
He doesn't look to be hobbling or anything obvious. It sounds like some of us are trying to RATIONALIZE why he's struggling.

Can't we just say that he's playing STUPID right now while trying to get Timo more involved in the offense?

I think THAT'S what's really happening here.


Also, Boqvist does nothing for the 2nd line, as it turns out.

He's skating well but it still looks more like a 3rd-liner being caught on the ice mid-line-change with Jack and Timo than it is a cohesive line.


The one moment in the 2nd (at around 10:15 to 10:10 or something) showed that Jack and Bratt need to be back together.

Worrying about "High Danger Counterattacks" is not a good reason to basically split up two lines where one was outstanding and the other was beginning to come together.


We basically had 2 lines working last night : The 1st and the 4th (fortunately).

If that's not making it OBVIOUS this experiment needs to end, I don't know what does.


Lindy needs to take his head out of his ass and put things back the way they were.,

There's not much time left in the season and we need the Timo/Jack/Bratt line to be fully gelled by then and the Palat/Haula/Boqvist line to be rolling as well.

 

[glenwo2]

Schmid was solid. But yeah I will be curious too to see if ruff swaps Bratt/Boqvist back again?

He has to.

Boq was being "rewarded" for playing well on the 3rd line to be put on Jack's line.

That novelty has worn off.

Both 2nd and 3rd lines didn't produce ANYTHING offensively last night.

We were fortunate that Nate scored and that the 1st Line continues to be outstanding.

But we need 4 lines to be working in sync by the time the Playoffs come around.

Tonight we only had 2 lines.


Time to put Bratt back with Jack and Timo, and Boqvist back with Haula and Palat.

 

[ninetyeight]

From my limited viewing, it seems like Meier is the problem right now.

I think drop him to the third line with Haula and Palat. Bring back the Hughes Bratt line and Hischier Tatar.

If not that, then put Hischier with Meier.

My sense is that Meier needs someone who can cover for him as he learns the system. Putting him and Jack out there is causing problems.

But, I’m only able to catch parts of games these days. So, possible I’m missing something?

I feel the same. We all want Meier Hughes Bratt to work since on paper it sounds so good. But this is hockey that's not how it works, it takes time and it might never work. Everyone including Bill keeps saying thar Timo hasn't even had a proper training session yet and it will take time to learn the system. Well then stop playing him if he doesn't know how to play, sit him out if has no idea how to play or put him into bottom6.

Even with all his good offensive looks he's cost us more goals against than he has delivered. And you certainly don't staple him with our best player and see his game go to shit. Even coming back from the injury Jack was ppg, now I think he has 0 points with Meier. Not only has Meier scored just 1 rebound goal after coming in, everyone in his line has stopped scoring too.

Ease him in, let him sit and watch or take a smaller role. Play Sharangovich if you have to. Once he has gone through few training sessions try him again with Jack.

I initially thought just forcing him to play with Jack and Bratt would be the best way, but it doesn't seem like it. Unless they somehow magically click in the next game, I feel they are gonna have a terrible time against the second best team in the league. And whether it's Meier's fault or not, we can certainly say goodbye for Jack's franchise points record, or even 90pts if something doesn't change quick.

 

[glenwo2]

From my limited viewing, it seems like Meier is the problem right now.

I think drop him to the third line with Haula and Palat. Bring back the Hughes Bratt line and Hischier Tatar.

If not that, then put Hischier with Meier.

My sense is that Meier needs someone who can cover for him as he learns the system. Putting him and Jack out there is causing problems.

But, I’m only able to catch parts of games these days. So, possible I’m missing something?

No you're not missing anything.

In fact, you're one of the few who see things as they currently are.

Though saying that Meier is the problem is also something even I failed to take into account.

I agree that we can do what you stated as well.

But I think the best thing to do, considering we are all but guaranteed the Devils make the playoffs, is to put the Timo/Jack/Bratt line back together and LET. THEM. GEL.

There's not much time remaining in the season and we can't spend that time trying to fit a square peg in a round hole, so to speak.

 

[Guadana]

No you're not missing anything.

In fact, you're one of the few who see things as they currently are.

Though saying that Meier is the problem is also something even I failed to take into account.

I agree that we can do what you stated as well.

But I think the best thing to do, considering we are all but guaranteed the Devils make the playoffs, is to put the Timo/Jack/Bratt line back together and LET. THEM. GEL.

There's not much time remaining in the season and we can't spend that time trying to fit a square peg in a round hole, so to speak.

May be they will not do it ever.

I was thinking about it when I read the topic. And may be this trio should play as a line. All three players are best at playing with the puck.
I'm not saying that their destiny isn't there, but may be its better to split them, just to give them more space. Its really hard now, because how awesome Nico's line is working now, but it is what it is, Jack and Jesper aren't two great board workers in the deep of the o zone. I believe Tatar as replacement for Meier/Bratt could make more meaningful things. But again - good chemistry of the first line. I don't think Boqvist was bad on the Hughes line.
More over sometimes I was thinking he played better than his partners. I mean - not as the most talented but the most responsible one.
May be should give Meier an opportunity to drive the third line. Palat isn't a bad partner. May be Ruff should try Meier on the wing with Nico and save top 6 with more talented players with Jack and Bratt playing together.
Overall devils playing very good and winning the games. Let's give them some more time. If they need to slump, its better to have it Before the playoff.

 

[glenwo2]

May be they will not do it ever.

I was thinking about it when I read the topic. And may be this trio should play as a line. All three players are best at playing with the puck.
I'm not saying that their destiny isn't there, but may be its better to split them, just to give them more space. Its really hard now, because how awesome Nico's line is working now, but it is what it is, Jack and Jesper aren't two great board workers in the deep of the o zone. I believe Tatar as replacement for Meier/Bratt could make more meaningful things. But again - good chemistry of the first line. I don't think Boqvist was bad on the Hughes line.
More over sometimes I was thinking he played better than his partners. I mean - not as the most talented but the most responsible one.
May be should give Meier an opportunity to drive the third line. Palat isn't a bad partner. May be Ruff should try Meier on the wing with Nico and save top 6 with more talented players with Jack and Bratt playing together.
Overall devils playing very good and winning the games. Let's give them some more time. If they need to slump, its better to have it Before the playoff.

I can see your rationale and to an extent, it does make sense.

But that line of Timo/Jack/Bratt wasn't even GIVEN AN OPPORTUNITY to Gel.

It was blown up before almost immediately by Ruff.


Also, the 3rd line with Boqvist on it was ON FIRE, my friend.

Boqvist on the 2nd line produced ZERO.


I think that makes it a bit more obvious that Lindy should restore the previous lines and let things develop as they should.

 

[John Pedro]

Only if Bratt is put back on the line.

Boqvist is not having the effect Lindy (for some strange reason) thought he would.

Jack Hughes is the one needing viagra right now

last night was pretty bad but Meier and Jack sucked so I wouldn't blame it on Bo; their first game together was pretty good and Bo had two great scoring chances. Give them more rope or put Haula in for Bo. Haula opens tons of space for his teammates and he can retrieve the puck, Meier seems like more of a circle type of guy and keep dumping the puck behind the net but Jack is always very careful on board battles

 

[Guadana]

I can see your rationale and to an extent, it does make sense.

But that line of Timo/Jack/Bratt wasn't even GIVEN AN OPPORTUNITY to Gel.

It was blown up before almost immediately by Ruff.


Also, the 3rd line with Boqvist on it was ON FIRE, my friend.

Boqvist on the 2nd line produced ZERO.


I think that makes it a bit more obvious that Lindy should restore the previous lines and let things develop as they should.

I easily prefer Sharangovich over Boqvist as second line player. I easily prefer Boqvist over Sharangovuch as third line player. If they want to figure it out, they should work more and differently on trainings. I understand that MJB didn't have real opportunity but I understand why. Its not a scientific magic why hockey chemistry often ask right players to play together, not the best players.
And we should be patient. Jack isn't in good shape. I don't know may be he is injured, or broked up with his girl and doesn't sleep well. But for now its look like we don't have any truly right partners for him, because he is making a lot of mistakes by himself.

 

[Jersey Fan 12]

I feel the same. We all want Meier Hughes Bratt to work since on paper it sounds so good. But this is hockey that's not how it works, it takes time and it might never work. Everyone including Bill keeps saying thar Timo hasn't even had a proper training session yet and it will take time to learn the system. Well then stop playing him if he doesn't know how to play, sit him out if has no idea how to play or put him into bottom6.

Even with all his good offensive looks he's cost us more goals against than he has delivered. And you certainly don't staple him with our best player and see his game go to shit. Even coming back from the injury Jack was ppg, now I think he has 0 points with Meier. Not only has Meier scored just 1 rebound goal after coming in, everyone in his line has stopped scoring too.

Ease him in, let him sit and watch or take a smaller role. Play Sharangovich if you have to. Once he has gone through few training sessions try him again with Jack.

I initially thought just forcing him to play with Jack and Bratt would be the best way, but it doesn't seem like it. Unless they somehow magically click in the next game, I feel they are gonna have a terrible time against the second best team in the league. And whether it's Meier's fault or not, we can certainly say goodbye for Jack's franchise points record, or even 90pts if something doesn't change quick.

Some will way that Timo is playing in the Bottom-6.

And with the point cushion the Devils are enjoying it makes sense to play him so he has video to make corrections.

The Devils are in the playoffs - and still winning.

Other than the big three in the other division (who they won't face until the conference finals) there is little difference among the opponents they will face in the first two rounds.

Might as well get their own house in order.

 

[captainscott12]

Here is the thing with a potential Meier-Hughes-Bratt combo right now with Hughes clearly being impacted by injury…I think that line is susceptible to high danger counter attacks (that out rate the expected xG) and scrambly defensively as a result. That is three players on one line who all try to make high risk plays and the key guy is basically playing hurt. I think it is a combo that probably works when Jack is healthy, but right now he isn’t.

Now I would maybe try moving Haula back with Jack and Meier, and running Boqvist between Palat and Bratt and see how that goes. Overall they are still a strong possession team and you are dealing with things at the margins. I rather be more sure on the defensive end.

This is not the worst idea I have ever heard

 

[Devils Pride 26]

Here is the thing with a potential Meier-Hughes-Bratt combo right now with Hughes clearly being impacted by injury…I think that line is susceptible to high danger counter attacks (that out rate the expected xG) and scrambly defensively as a result. That is three players on one line who all try to make high risk plays and the key guy is basically playing hurt. I think it is a combo that probably works when Jack is healthy, but right now he isn’t.

Now I would maybe try moving Haula back with Jack and Meier, and running Boqvist between Palat and Bratt and see how that goes. Overall they are still a strong possession team and you are dealing with things at the margins. I rather be more sure on the defensive end.

100%. Bratt and Hughes cannot play together. They were bleeding chances vs Arizona and Toronto, Toronto they were about unplayable down the stretch. Vs Montreal the Hughes line played even. Boqvist is doing his job. Minutes are getting harder. Checking is getting tighter. There becomes less emphasis on high flying offense as it dries up. When teams take away our rush offense, we need to be able to play stingy and have other outlets.

Current Hischier line is a perfect example of that. Haula, boqvist, Palat was a perfect example as well. Jack is an ok F3 high in the zone but that’s the only other place you can put Bratt on the fc too. The Leafs had a strong plan with their B team on how to limit Hughes and Bratt and it was to muddy the water outside their blue line. Because Bratt and Hughes are so stubborn and/or weak on the fc, they refused to dump the puck in and get it, which is exactly what the Haula line did with great success

 

[SJinNewJersey]

I wouldn't mind seeing Palat or Haula with Timo and Jack.

 

[SteveCangialosi123]

Jack and Bratt were one of, if not the, best duos in the NHL before the last like 20 or so games. Total bullshit narrative that they can’t play together. They were amazing together, not really sure what happened.

 

[Devils Pride 26]

Jack and Bratt were one of, if not the, best duos in the NHL before the last like 20 or so games. Total bullshit narrative that they can’t play together. They were amazing together, not really sure what happened.

Scouting. Attention to detail. Stretch run picks up. Teams play very different vs us now compared to November, especially the teams that have the horses to do so.