Pre-Game Talk: Series Preview: Your New Jersey Devils vs. Tampa Bay Lightning

[Brooklyndevil]

That’s great, Gourde has 64 points, Killorn has 47 points, Cirelli has 5 goals 11 points in 18 games, and Kunitz has 29 points (more than Coleman, Zacha, Boyle, etc.).

Playoffs are a different animal. Kunitz is the guy who worries me the most after Kuch and Stammer.

 

[Its a Trap]

What is the Lightning's logic from banning opposing team garb, but only in the clubs? C'est bizarre.

Well the point is that’s the high roller section and the high rollers don’t want their to be opposing team high rollers in their party. It would be like banning people from wearing other fan garb in the club sections here.

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

Playoffs are a different animal. Kunitz is the guy who worries me the most after Kuch and Stammer.

lol what

Kunitz is a 4th liner that plays less than 12 minutes/game

 

[BenedictGomez]

though i guess tampa is "rangers south"

If Tampa cares about this so much, they're lucky they've only had 1 playoff series against the Lightning. I didnt watch any of those games, but I'll bet there were tons of Rangers fans in the building. From roughly Daytona Beach in the north to about West Palm Beach in the south, Florida is absolutely crawling with New York transplants.

 

[NjDevsRR]

My only guess it's the most expensive seats, and so they want to ensure as good an experience as possible for the big money customers.

that's not a real fan experience! you need interpersonal drama and anger! otherwise you might as well be a suit at MSG, amongst the rest of the suited up """"fans""""

though i guess tampa is "rangers south"

I was at the last Devils game in Tampa and was blasting their theme song 'Thunder' by Imagine Dragons on way out of the parking garage. Maybe I pissed off some folks down there.

 

[SteveCangialosi123]

I think Wood has a huge series. He hit a rough patch, but overall he had an excellent season and his line was awesome against Washington. Zacha, Maroon, and Wood will be a force. Wood has a goal and an assist in 2 games against Tampa this season with 7 shots. He just can't get too amped up and do some moronic crap like when he plastered Namestnikov into the boards.

 

[BenedictGomez]

lol what

Kunitz is a 4th liner that plays less than 12 minutes/game

Kunitz is also a guy who his entire career has massively elevated his game well-beyond his regular season statistics.

Which I'm sure is what he's getting at.

Chris Kunitz - Wikipedia

EDIT: Not saying I agree it's logical, just noting Kunitz has scored many big playoff goals in his career.

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

Kunitz is also a guy who his entire career has massively elevated his game well-beyond his regular season statistics.

Which I'm sure is what he's getting at.

Chris Kunitz - Wikipedia

I understand that, but the Lightning have a LOT of good players that I would worry about way before I even think about 38 year old Kunitz

 

[Billdo]

massively

That’s a bit of a stretch but yeah.

 

[Zippy316]

So the Devils are likely looking at:

Coleman - Zajac - Noesen vs. Miller - Stamkos - Kucherov

Hall - Hischier - Palmieri vs. Palat - Point - Johnson

Killorn - Cirelli - Gourde vs. Wood - Zacha - Maroon

I'd imagine Tampa will try to get Stamkos' line out against Zacha's line as much as possible while they're home.

But in all honesty, I like the Devils chances with those match-ups. Zajac's line isn't going to give Stamkos' line any room to breathe and that line is all skill and finesse. Perfect match-up for Zajac's line, IMO.

 

[Jets012]

Noesen is a guy built for the playoffs. Hoping for a monster series from him.

 

[Unknown Caller]

In the scenario MoJo is healthy, getting him on a line with Boyle and Grabner can be an absolutely enormous advantage. MoJo and Grabner slot into the top 6 for a lot of teams in the league. That would be a nightmare to handle after the Devils other three lines.

 

[Zippy316]

Noesen is a guy built for the playoffs. Hoping for a monster series from him.

I'm pumped to see Coleman - Zajac - Noesen in action in the playoffs.

Tampa is likely going to loathe Coleman by the end of this series.

 

[SteveCangialosi123]

In the scenario MoJo is healthy, getting him on a line with Boyle and Grabner can be an absolutely enormous advantage. MoJo and Grabner slot into the top 6 for a lot of teams in the league. That would be a nightmare to handle after the Devils other three lines.

Absolutely true. On paper that has to be the best 4th line in the NHL. Johansson has been a legitmate top 6 player in his career, Grabner has 54 goals over his last 2 seasons, and Boyle is a decent enough 4th line center that's in the playoffs every year.

 

[New Jersey]

Thinking back to what Gionta, Carter, and Bernier contributed in 2012, I'm hyped as **** to see Noeson and Coleman in the playoffs.

 

[FooteBahl]

I think Wood has a huge series. He hit a rough patch, but overall he had an excellent season and his line was awesome against Washington. Zacha, Maroon, and Wood will be a force. Wood has a goal and an assist in 2 games against Tampa this season with 7 shots. He just can't get too amped up and do some moronic crap like when he plastered Namestnikov into the boards.

I just hope Wood can control his emotions. He’s always fired up and I can’t imagine how amped up he’s going to be.

 

[Jets012]

Still think if MoJo gets healthy, Boyle should be the one benched. Coleman can do whatever he's providing as the 4th line center much better than Boyle could. If MoJo comes back, would be a shame for someone like Gibbons to come out to keep Boyle in.

 

[EnglishDevil]

Absolutely thrilled we made the playoffs, certainly not expecting to win this series but I know the team will compete hard in each game.

 

[HischierSeDgewOrk]

Grabner - Mojo - Bratt 4th line

 

[Missionhockey]

I think this is a tough draw for the Devils. I would have preferred to play Boston because we're a speed team and they're a one line grind it out team. Now though they are playing a team that plays a similar type of game but better than they do. It's definitely an uphill climb. I think there's enough character on this team to make it a long series though.

 

[Devils Dominion]

I think this is a tough draw for the Devils. I would have preferred to play Boston because we're a speed team and they're a one line grind it out team. Now though they are playing a team that plays a similar type of game but better than they do. It's definitely an uphill climb. I think there's enough character on this team to make it a long series though.

You're underestimating Boston IMO.

 

[Missionhockey]

You're underestimating Boston IMO.

Maybe but they don't make it past Toronto IMO.

 

[Devils Dominion]

Maybe but they don't make it past Toronto IMO.

Possible since TML has some studs like Austin

 

[None Shall Pass]

Maybe but they don't make it past Toronto IMO.

I think that hypothetical series is a bloodbath that could go either way.

Edit: OMG it's not hypothetical, that's gonna be a hell of a series.

 

[Devils Dominion]

We are going to have to Rawly2009 them this series.

Play a smart, resilient and disciplined team game and give our star players a chance to make plays late in games.

We must protect Hall, Nico and our other skilled players too, don't give up an inch in scrums.

And of course get solid and timely goaltending