GDT: Willy Wonka and the hockey game, Oilers @ Devils 7:30

[Captain3rdLine]

Just watched the 3 quick goals again and watch in the f**k was Smith doing on that third one. Oilers trying to break out and he decides to charge down the wall to forecheck. Easy 2-on-1. Didn’t realize how bad it was. No chance he was supposed to do that

 

[PizzaAndPucks]

Goaltending wasn't the reason we lost but it sure is a glaring issue regardless who we put in goal.

Pathetic that they played a somewhat decent game and wete up 3 to 2 to close out the 2nd period.

All the teams that fired their coach this season are riding momentum. Minnesota is 9-3-0 under Hynes whom everyone on here claimed is an awful coach. Oilers are still not going to be a playoff threat with that roster of their's but are winning alot of games since they sent out Woodcroft. Somehow we are 1 game over .500 but this season feels alot worse. Pretty much every player minus Bratt , McLeod , Lazar and Holtz are the only ones to step their game up this season. Jack is actually on pace for a worse season than last year. Luke Hughes has been real hit or miss this season but is only 20 , same with Nemec at 19. You know their best years are a few years out. Just alot of disappointment from the guys on the ice and behind the bench. I thought we were going to set some standards here but the Devils have been playing some real ugly hockey this year. I know goal scoring is up and goalies save percentage is down across the league but I always liked when we were a middle of the pack offensive team but an upper echelon defensive team. It sucks with the current roster we have right now we are the opposite.

 

[NJ07102]

Just watched the 3 quick goals again and watch in the f**k was Smith doing on that third one. Oilers trying to break out and he decides to charge down the wall to forecheck. Easy 2-on-1. Didn’t realize how bad it was. No chance he was supposed to do that

Also on goal one he skates behind the goal for whatever reason and leaves the front of the goal and McLeod all alone.

 

[Better Call Sal]

Man, I get the feeling Nico has never really liked Lindy. From the “No comments” a few years back to other signs idk, I don’t get a good vibe.

I don’t think reading into that, along with him not willing to comment on seeing Lindy come back from two years ago, is warranted. I haven’t watched the full interview from last night, but I imagine they’re all pissed off after what just happened. Which is a good thing, they should be.

The unwillingness to comment on him coming back at the end of year presser could easily be explained as a guy who doesn’t want to go into a conversation where it’s not his job to evaluate anyway, it’s the GM. I always thought people made a mountain out of a molehill out of that, same way Kyrou just got crucified for it in St. Louis when he said things in a much blunter manner. And he was at least talking about the only coach who won a Cup in Blues history, so you can see the logic in people being taken aback by it. Nico simply declined to comment on the job status of his coach who finished out of the playoffs for two consecutive seasons.

 

[Brooklyndevil]

Jack's the only one who gave a favorable response to him coming back in 22-23 at the year end presser in 2022, I said it before he's not going anywhere until the wheels catastrophically fall off like getting blown to Detroit and CBJ or they miss the playoffs at years end. The latter seems realistic at this point.

It looks like the wheels are falling off.

 

[ZachaFlockaFlame]

It looks like the wheels are falling off.

Good, keep doing so. It'll get Lindy out of the door faster

 

[Billdo]

I'm not even mad, I'm just disappointed and that stinks (if you're a parent you'll get that). At this point I don't even care which really sucks. Ba humbug.

 

[ZachaFlockaFlame]

Just watched the 3 quick goals again and watch in the f**k was Smith doing on that third one. Oilers trying to break out and he decides to charge down the wall to forecheck. Easy 2-on-1. Didn’t realize how bad it was. No chance he was supposed to do that

They were doing shit last night that was mind boggling, they were just lucky they weren't down after the second. They got what they deserved in the third.

 

[NJDevs26]

Eh I was never on the Brunette train inasmuch as I thought he was grossly overrated here based off of not being Lindy and 3/4 of a regular season with a stacked team that was already 7-0 when he took over. And it’s not like Nashville is 21-5 now, they’re exactly what they have been the last two decades - a competitive team but probably not a title contender. People had the same freak outs when Hynes went over there and they were 5-10 games over, ignoring Nashville’s culture of being competitive every year.

It certainly does look bad for Lindy if you really can trace his success and failure to one assistant coach, but obviously we had more departures than just Golf Cart Man.

 

[glenwo2]

There were at least 3 goals (and some non-goals) where he was wildly out of position. It’s malpractice to keep putting him in the net.

Pulling Schmid was also some galaxy brain shit. He had no chance on either goal.

Never saw anyone pull the goaltender after giving up just 2 goals....

 

[NJDevs26]

Never saw anyone pull the goaltender after giving up just 2 goals....

Schmid, earlier in the season against the Caps in a game very much like last night lol (only difference was he clearly gave up at least one softy that game)

I swear I think they’re trying to protect him cause some of their decisions with Schmid make no sense otherwise.

 

[Wierzbowski426]

Im ready for a new coach.

 

[Better Call Sal]

Schmid, earlier in the season against the Caps in a game very much like last night lol (only difference was he clearly gave up at least one softy that game)

I swear I think they’re trying to protect him cause some of their decisions with Schmid make no sense otherwise.

Sometimes the goalie pull is to wake the team up, but it can often be unfair for the goalie himself when he doesn't stand a chance on what he let up. Definitely the case for Schmid last night.

It is painful how similar last night was to that Caps game. Sleep walking into the game, come out with the lead after 2 only to fold almost instantly in the 3rd.

 

[glenwo2]

Pretty much every player minus Bratt , McLeod , Lazar and Holtz are the only ones to step their game up this season. Jack is actually on pace for a worse season than last year. Luke Hughes has been real hit or miss this season but is only 20 , same with Nemec at 19. You know their best years are a few years out. Just alot of disappointment from the guys on the ice and behind the bench. I thought we were going to set some standards here but the Devils have been playing some real ugly hockey this year. I know goal scoring is up and goalies save percentage is down across the league but I always liked when we were a middle of the pack offensive team but an upper echelon defensive team. It sucks with the current roster we have right now we are the opposite.

So you're saying every player ASIDE from Bratt, McLeod, Lazar and Holtz are stepping up their game?

That's what it looks like you're saying.

I think you meant : "While the rest of the team has stunk, Bratt, McLeod, Lazar and Holtz are the only ones to step their game up this season"

 

[Maine Fan]

Were we ever "not ok"? You're confusing me.

I got confused, I thought you were pissed at me. You know you Devils' hockey.

Happy Holidays glenwo2.

 

[NJDevs26]

Mr. Magoo doesn’t agree on Holtz unfortunately, we’re back to rookie season icetime for him. As if everyone else is playing SOOO well (at least that was a legit excuse last year)

 

[Maine Fan]

My3Sons, Happy Holidays to you and your family. You know your Devils.

 

[Maine Fan]

Bleedred, Happy Holidays

 

[JrFischer54]

No, the Timo trade is/was fine. Let's not do this when we know the guy is clearly hurt bad. We had the same outlandish takes of Dougie not being worth 9M and then having a Norris level year in 22-23

no i'm not saying because the way he is playing just looking back from now it just seemed forced like everyone in hockey general were calling for them to make the move and pushing for the move

 

[Better Call Sal]

To be honest, if we could have iced Meier-McLeod-Mercer for 60 minutes, I would have. They were the only 3 who came close to consistently generating anything offensively over the course of the whole game.

If it weren't at the expense of Holtz sadly, that would be my 3rd line. McLeod is showing some maturity with his decision making with the puck, and his hustle is never in question. The top 6 was non-existent last night.

 

[glenwo2]

Just watched the Ruff presser.

He said couple things: team not practicing yesterday was huge mistake and that is on him completely (coaching). Cause they looked not ready for anything in that 1st period. Or 3rd.

That's got to annoy Fitz a ton if he saw and heard that.

It's like "WHAT THE FK AM I PAYING YOU FOR, IDIOT??" territory now.

 

[Maine Fan]

to all the Devils' fans
Happy Holidays to each of you and your families. Happy Holidays to the Devils team, after the first of the year, we need better defensive play. We can not win games by trying to score more goals than the other team.
Thank you for this forum and thank you for allowing this old man to be here.
Take care of the animals they need our help.

God Bless everyone.

 

[Call Me Al]

i like fitz a lot but he came into this season swinging his d going “now’s the time to be contenders, we’re here” and he’s sitting back overseeing one of the most disappointing seasons this millennium

 

[JrFischer54]

Schmid, earlier in the season against the Caps in a game very much like last night lol (only difference was he clearly gave up at least one softy that game)

I swear I think they’re trying to protect him cause some of their decisions with Schmid make no sense otherwise.

i didn't think they pulled him for his play i thought it was to try and wake the team up

 

[Maine Fan]

i like fitz a lot but he came into this season swinging his d going “now’s the time to be contenders, we’re here” and he’s sitting back overseeing one of the most disappointing seasons this millennium

relax there is time play defense.