GDT: HFDevils, Go to a Happy Place: Devils @ Bruins, 5:30 PM, NBCSN

[Blender]

 

[Emperoreddy]

It really hasn’t been how he’s gotten his points but he’s been so good at jumping into the offensive rush. Picking the right moments and having the right spacing. That’s where the bunches of points will come in the future.

Chico made a good point that his skating was the biggest knock against him, and while he isn't a speedster for sure, he is really efficient and definitely good enough to do what he wants to do.

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

I gotta say...I thought Hughes played well tonight, especially defensively

I know he had the giveaway on the PP but he also broke up numerous odd man rushes on the back check

 

[TheDuke93]

Chico made a good point that his skating was the biggest knock against him, and while he isn't a speedster for sure, he is really efficient and definitely good enough to do what he wants to do.

Idk why but he reminds me so much of Keith.....

 

[Oneiro]

That's one of my biggest issues with the complaints of Jack. He thinks the game at an elite level, but the difference between him and other 1oa picks that made the jump was 1 the drastic difference in competition and 2 his actual physical limitations. He certainly would have dominated the NCAA and not learned anything because the stuff that doesn't work in the NHL still does in college hockey. Factor that in with the fact that he is still extremely weak he is going to lose puck battles, the kid needs to take his lumps and that's the reality of it.

For me, there's some major immaturity in his game and IQ. His vision, passing, skating and ability to find soft ice are all elite and better than a lot of high end players - I've believed that since I saw him play next to Kane, Gaudreau and Eichel two years ago.

I don't want to turn him into Zajac or anything but I think the real goal with developing this kid is to get him to be himself while managing risk properly. I see him try to power through both blue lines and it's flat out stubbornness of trying to turn shit into gold because he doesn't know how else to approach it. Not necessarily elite IQ but elite raw material and processing potential?

We will know when he's truly arrived because it will be touch passes and a slow, steady stalking pace (instead of a skate and dangle-fest) all game long. Look at Crosby, McDavid, Kane, Kucherov without the puck and you'll see what I'm talking about. I think he's capable of getting there.

 

[njdevils1982]

View media item 8689
Bergeron got the worst of his teammate’s stick

tim hunter would be proud

 

[SteveCangialosi123]

Nico needs to get back so Zacha can go back to wing. He is really stinky at center.

 

[Blender]

Nico needs to get back so Zacha can go back to wing. He is really stinky at center.

Yea Zacha stinks at center.

 

[Blackjack]

Greatest hits from the B's post game thread. While there are a few insisting that one of the goals should have counted, there are a couple that are pretty firm that they were not goals.

NESN post-game showing why that no-goal was absolutely the correct call. The puck was absolutely 100% covered up, and only came free because Krejci's stick smushes up the goalie's glove, which knocks it loose.

If that exact play is allowed it's free reign on goaltenders.

This isn't even close. That's not a goal.

It was so obvious too, but Brick just couldn't shut up. Completely covered on the ice and Krejci plows into him with the stick.

Love this one.

Are people going to finally give Mackenzie Blackwood the respect he deserves? He's a damn good goalie. About time Bruins fans give credit where credit is due

 

[Devils Army]

Zacha having Merkley and Wood as his wingers definitely affects our perception of him as a center

 

[Blender]

Zacha having Merkley and Wood as his wingers definitely affects our perception of him as a center

He's played center for a few different lines, he's just not very effective at it. On the other hand, he's been great as a winger this year.

 

[AfroThunder396]

I am getting ready to raise my long term expectations on what Smith can be for this team.

Agreed, I was hoping he would be a very good 2-3 guy who could get some PP time but he's looking like a franchise cornerstone.

 

[tr83]

I hate you so much

 

[Emperoreddy]

Agreed, I was hoping he would be a very good 2-3 guy who could get some PP time but he's looking like a franchise cornerstone.

If he was a little bigger and faster you could argue he would have higher potential then Hughes or Makar.

Even as is, Hughes looks like the only D better then him from that draft class

 

[Emperoreddy]

For me, there's some major immaturity in his game and IQ. His vision, passing, skating and ability to find soft ice are all elite and better than a lot of high end players - I've believed that since I saw him play next to Kane, Gaudreau and Eichel two years ago.

I don't want to turn him into Zajac or anything but I think the real goal with developing this kid is to get him to be himself while managing risk properly. I see him try to power through both blue lines and it's flat out stubbornness of trying to turn shit into gold because he doesn't know how else to approach it. Not necessarily elite IQ but elite raw material and processing potential?

We will know when he's truly arrived because it will be touch passes and a slow, steady stalking pace (instead of a skate and dangle-fest) all game long. Look at Crosby, McDavid, Kane, Kucherov without the puck and you'll see what I'm talking about. I think he's capable of getting there.

I think this is a pretty fair assessment.

 

[Tao Jersey Jones]

Did Smith shave the stache and now he’s growing it back? What is wrong with him?

Ty looks like Del Palmer.

 

[NjDevsRR]

So I had a craving for a burger after Macs big performance so I decided to try the Wawa burger (wasn’t bad). Then this happened lol. It was nuts, windy as hell and there seems to be a lot of damage around Headliner. Tons of emergency vehicles there.

 

[NjDevsRR]

Nico needs to get back so Zacha can go back to wing. He is really stinky at center.

This. We need our God Zacha back

 

[Camille the Eel]

Is that 3 out of 4, or 4 out of 5 against the Bruins this year?

We seem to match up particularly well against them. Like us, they have a lot of trouble scoring goals.

 

[Its Always Sundstrom]

This. We need our God Zacha back

He still looks confident and is two posts away from having two killer goals. Still, the center responsibilities seem to take away from his “grip and rip it” attitude he had a a few weeks back.

 

[NjDevsRR]

Is that 3 out of 4, or 4 out of 5 against the Bruins this year?

We seem to match up particularly well against them. Like us, they have a lot of trouble scoring goals.

4 of 5, 9 pts of 10, zero 5 v 5 goals allowed

 

[Patrik26]

Is that 3 out of 4, or 4 out of 5 against the Bruins this year?

We seem to match up particularly well against them. Like us, they have a lot of trouble scoring goals.

4 out of 5. First game of the season OT SO loss. Second game Shara OT winner. Last three regulations wins.

 

[The Great Dame]

The best part is...we get to play them again Tuesday

 

[Emperoreddy]

 

[devilsblood]

Chico made a good point that his skating was the biggest knock against him, and while he isn't a speedster for sure, he is really efficient and definitely good enough to do what he wants to do.

We saw again tonight that his speed is an issue.

Now I think his overall game is very good, I've been very pleasantly surprised, but he get's burnt to the outside a bit more then you'd like.