I am annoyed by losing a point they should have gotten but I am not concerned if that makes sense.
this makes total sense. the devils are on 105 point pace, despite facing some injuries to important players. even fully healthy i don't expect the devils to keep this pace. the team is still young and you can't expect this type of consistency over an 82 game schedule.
so far the seasons developments are incredible positive:
- the imported first pairing plays like one
- bernier looks much more like a bona fide starter than a platoon goalie (although he just the number of games like a platoon goalie)
- last year scape goat is among the team leaders in points and goals
- rookie mercer plays like a vet
- the team gained roster depth with two pto signings
- while not every player performs flawless game to game, the overall product is good enough to be in the games
loses like the ones against calgary and washington are bound to happen to any nhl team and losing in the so lottery like yesterday night in the second game of a back to back can't be a reason for doom and gloom. i expect stretches of much worse play. this board has a short memory. the last two seasons the devils were out of the po race by game 20.
i rather trade for better fans, than ship out bratt, hischier, smith or wedgewood.