GDT: Game # 67: Devils host Lightning @7pm ET

[RNCDevil]

Lots of nice little plays throughout. Loved Timo's hit, his slick piroutte, some great work from Hughes, Sevo, Tatar, Boquest, Haula...I liked Lazar on the 4th..but they didn't quite meet TBL's intensity.

I would say Tampa consistently finished off plays. What I mean is that there are frequently going to be 50/50's all over the ice. The Devils players went in hard with the Tampa player, which led to another play and possibly another and another. Tampa was really good about going 100% through every iterations. The Devils players seemed to not quite get that 3rd or 4th engagement or they hesitated or turned it over where a TBL player got something positive.

I look forward to the rematch.

 

[NJDevs26]

He can't really call Vanecek out since he's the number 1 for the playoffs but yeah he's lying through his damn teeth

Yeah there's that too...all these guys have issues. Schmid is a 21-year old rookie who's had eleven starts at the NHL level this year, Blackwood's always hurt and unreliable and Vitek has been the most consistent, again until recently. If this continues he obviously should be on a short leash in the playoffs, but I think atm he's earned a little more benefit of the doubt than fans seem willing to give him.

 

[Bleedred]

A coach is going to protect his goalie in the press conference.

Well, he really didn't that game Blackwood played against Boston in December

But Blackwood has a longer history of this shit and hasn't been good in YEARS so I understand him defending Vitek a bit.

When he comes back with Schmid next game, that might be more of an indicator of how he truly feels.

 

[glenwo2]

Honestly, this might not be bad in preparing for the playoffs since we get Tampa again twice rather quickly. See how the team responds to a rough game against that same team in the same building.

Playoff Series "ADJUSTMENTS" as they're called.

The only real adjustment is for the Devils to score and play better "D" with none of the Dougie-to-Bratt-Blind-Pass-at-the-blue-line garbage; also our goaltending needs to be sharper.

 

[NJDevs26]

Well, he really didn't that game Blackwood played against Boston in December

But Blackwood has a longer history of this shit and hasn't been good in YEARS so I understand him defending Vitek a bit.

When he comes back with Schmid next game, that might be more of an indicator of how he truly feels.

Eh I'd bet Schmid plays two of the next three regardless. You really think he's throwing Vitek out there for a third game in five nights with fatigue an obvious issue at this point?

 

[glenwo2]

It's weird how this board has guys that can't be blamed and other who get blamed all the time.

Scapegoat'ism.

Zacha was one when he was here.

Once he left, a new one needed to be selected.

Bratt "won" the Scapegoat Lottery.

 

[Devilsfan992]

now why was that? Who is to blame most there?

I agree Vanacek could have made some more timely saves, but at the same time, but outside the 2nd goal, I don't think it was all on him.

The 1st goal was terribly played by Hamilton, the 3rd goal was a bad offensive turnover and we let Killorn walk right into the slot, and the last goal we allowed one of the best wingers in the league get a buzzer beater shot near the crease.

 

[Bleedred]

It’s obvious they need a consistent 920 goalie to carry them. When does Blackwood return?

 

[Devs3cups]

I agree Vanacek could have made some more timely saves, but at the same time, but outside the 2nd goal, I don't think it was all on him.

The 1st goal was terribly played by Hamilton, the 3rd goal was a bad offensive turnover and we let Killorn walk right into the slot, and the last goal we allowed one of the best wingers in the league get a buzzer beater shot near the crease.

The 1st goal was the only one not on him. The 2nd one was a soft shot that went through his arm, the 3rd goal was a shot short side that Graves played well on the 2-on-1, the 4th was a backhander short side with 1 second left. Make a save.

 

[Dylan9z9]

Dude was pretty much invisible in 1999-2000, that's what I was referring to. We acquired him in-season just like Timo. He had 7 goals and 13 points in 35 games as a Devil that year, including playoffs.

also Kovalchuk was a point a game player first year

 

[Richer's Ghost]

He can't really call Vanecek out since he's the number 1 for the playoffs but yeah he's lying through his damn teeth

He called him out earlier just last month for a similar stat line. It’s a little of column A and a lot of column B and column C was all the posts.

 

[glenwo2]

The 1st goal was the only one not on him. The 2nd one was a soft shot that went through his arm, the 3rd goal was a shot short side that Graves played well on the 2-on-1, the 4th was a backhander short side with 1 second left. Make a save.

It was one of his worst games to date.

Hopefully he gets the next game so he can redeem himself.

 

[guitarguyvic]

Playoff Series "ADJUSTMENTS" as they're called.

The only real adjustment is for the Devils to score and play better "D" with none of the Dougie-to-Bratt-Blind-Pass-at-the-blue-line garbage; also our goaltending needs to be sharper.

Theyve been making those types of gaffes pretty consistently all season. I think it’s also pretty evident that Dougie regularly makes Severson style brainless plays like that, the only difference is that he offsets it with a ridiculous amount of offensive production. His defense is also not good. This is very concerning for the playoffs when he may not have the luxury of being able to produce at the same pace.

As a team, giving up this many odd man rushes/breakaways is going to doom them in the playoffs. I’ve watched hockey long enough to know.

 

[TF1970]

As others have said, was somewhat low event game. I mean tampa maybe had five good scoring chances all game? The goals then the Perry one where Vanacek stopped him on the goal line? Not that the devils had a crazy ton either.

 

[Camille the Eel]

I hope we play a more physical, close checking and patient game against them on Thursday. A loose helter skelter game favors them. They are without Stamkos too. So keep the game in front of us more.

For those who watched it, did lindy seem angry in his presser or pretty calm?

I thought he bailed and cut it short and that’s rare for him. He seemed frustrated rather than angry.

 

[Dylan9z9]

Yeah there's that too...all these guys have issues. Schmid is a 21-year old rookie who's had eleven starts at the NHL level this year, Blackwood's always hurt and unreliable and Vitek has been the most consistent, again until recently. If this continues he obviously should be on a short leash in the playoffs, but I think atm he's earned a little more benefit of the doubt than fans seem willing to give him.

Win one lose one
Win
Give up 5 goals
Shut out
Give up 4 goals= inconsistancy

 

[Bleedred]

I agree Vanacek could have made some more timely saves, but at the same time, but outside the 2nd goal, I don't think it was all on him.

The 1st goal was terribly played by Hamilton, the 3rd goal was a bad offensive turnover and we let Killorn walk right into the slot, and the last goal we allowed one of the best wingers in the league get a buzzer beater shot near the crease.

I thought the third goal stunk too.

Not as bad as the second because it didn't go through him, but it beat him short side. It's pretty easy to see a shot like that hitting the goalie.

 

[Camille the Eel]

I thought the third goal stunk too.

Not as bad as the second because it didn't go through him, but it beat him short side. It's pretty easy to see a shot like that hitting the goalie.

He could probably have been out more aggressively on his angle. He stopped a few of those against Carolina that way.

 

[Ginger Papa]

#FIREBOWNESS

Seriously, your thoughts? Bowness being a thing this season is the most non-goalie related happening around the league that I currently have a huge issue with.

Sorry to hear about your tools.

Hey my friend, thanks for the kind note.


Now that I have a few dark malts in me, I think I’m prepared to respond.



Regarding the Jets & Bowness…

He seemed to have a magic touch for the first half…

However, just prior to the ASB the wheels started to come off.

I have loved Rick as a Coach since his time with the Canucks in the late 2000’s - during the early Luongo years (and the untimely case of diarrhea, which Bones called an “Equipment issue“)

Back to the Jets,

With the struggles since ASB, Bones seems to have reverted to the defensive style which has neutered the offense - who were flying during the first half.

As with most veteran coaches, Rick appears to have his “guys“ and doesn’t seem to give much opportunity to the young & hungry.

In fairness to Bones, the GM hasn’t really provided a robust lineup, though Winnipeg is probably the least desired location in the league.

I recognize that I’m waffling between points.

Yes, I think Bones could get more out of the lineup options available.

However, this Organization is probably the most challenged in regards to recruiting NHL talent.


The simplest, hence most honest answer, is to say that I think the Team is underperforming due in part to Coaching, but more so lacking in true depth of talent.

As a fellow Goalie fan, I am confident that you’ll agree Connor Hellebuyck is the difference between this Team being a Lottery Team & making the playoffs.I

Hopefully this makes sense. The Dark Malts are hitting my Ginger brain.

 

[ZachaFlockaFlame]

Yeah there's that too...all these guys have issues. Schmid is a 21-year old rookie who's had eleven starts at the NHL level this year, Blackwood's always hurt and unreliable and Vitek has been the most consistent, again until recently. If this continues he obviously should be on a short leash in the playoffs, but I think atm he's earned a little more benefit of the doubt than fans seem willing to give him.

Well that's the issue, this team has proven that their skaters are most likely not going to be the reason why they lose in the playoffs. It's going to be the goaltending most likely which is why it's easier to get antsy as a fanbase considering how Vanecek has played lately.

 

[Bleedred]

Hey my friend, thanks for the kind note.


Now that I have a few dark malts in me, I think I’m prepared to respond.



Regarding the Jets & Bowness…

He seemed to have a magic touch for the first half…

However, just prior to the ASB the wheels started to come off.

I have loved Rick as a Coach since his time with the Canucks in the late 2000’s - during the early Luongo years (and the untimely case of diarrhea, which Bones called an “Equipment issue“)

Back to the Jets,

With the struggles since ASB, Bones seems to have reverted to the defensive style which has neutered the offense - who were flying during the first half.

As with most veteran coaches, Rick appears to have his “guys“ and doesn’t seem to give much opportunity to the young & hungry.

In fairness to Bones, the GM hasn’t really provided a robust lineup, though Winnipeg is probably the least desired location in the league.

I recognize that I’m waffling between points.

Yes, I think Bones could get more out of the lineup options available.

However, this Organization is probably the most challenged in regards to recruiting NHL talent.


The simplest, hence most honest answer, is to say that I think the Team is underperforming due in part to Coaching, but more so lacking in true depth of talent.

As a fellow Goalie fan, I am confident that you’ll agree Connor Hellybucyk is the difference between this Team being a Lottery Team & making the playoffs.

Hopefully this makes sense. The Dark Malts are hitting my Ginger brain.

Bowness is a fine assistant coach IMO, but I think his time as a head coach has long passed. And it did long pass, until he got an interim spot after his head coach was fired for non-hockey reasons. And then they made the cup finals and that seemed to buy him a few years and one more head coaching tenure after.

Yes, I do think Hellebuyck is a main reason for the team being as good as they have been. Like Vanecek, he hasn't had a great last month, but Vanecek also didn't have quite the highs that Hellebuyck had before the recent slide either.

Thanks for the response though, I've been meaning to ask you!

 

[Guadana]

That's what it reminded me of when this sh*tstain was Coach here.


Team needs to PLAY. BETTER. on Thursday.

That's it.

I understand frustration, Tampa outplayed us completely. But the story of evil and dummy Ruff should change the tone. Devils is one of the youngest and 3rd in points team in the league . Still.

 

[Emperoreddy]

In person Dougie played like pure ass.

 

[NHL Fanatik]

Im honestly pretty confused by this one

Didnt catch the game after the second goal (which apparently was taken back) and then I see it ends 4-1. Was showing a bunch of my buddies a new Xbox game (Valheim, check it out)

What the heck happened this game?

 

[glenwo2]

In person Dougie played like pure ass.

But the real question is :

Is the ass truly "pure"?