GDT: Yippee-Kay-Yay: Blackhawks @ Devils, 7 PM, MSG+

[DerekDevils30]

Just landed in Key West, now I have to figure out where to watch the game tonight.

You lucky bastard. I get to watch this game as -30 to -40 wind chills set in

 

[njdevils19]

People need to just stop with the Zajac stuff. He's certainly not playing well right now, but that's been the case since his injury, and it's going to take time. We have the luxury of him being a passenger right now, and if he's able to get back on his game in time for the playoffs that's a spectacular addition to an already formidable group.

That's the problem a number of fans have. If he is being a passenger as a checking 3rd line center then fine. He is being given a bunch of PP time and now in games like tonight has Bratt and Mojo around him. If he is going to recover from his injury so-be-it but he shouldn't be handed the role he is being given. He has been playing like our fourth best center offensively and is being given the role of our 2nd best center.

 

[SpeakingOfTheDevils]

Count me in with the crowd that wants Zacha and Zajac flipped, but whatever. Definitely not the end of the world.

Hynes made up for it by scratching Stafford.

 

[DerekDevils30]

Hall-Hischier-Palmieri
Johansson-Zajac-Bratt
Wood-Zacha-Gibbons

Only one slow player in the top nine. Amazing.

4th line is the slowest overall but Coleman can really zip.

Team speed is unbelievable. Not too long ago we had Clowe-Zajac-Jagr lumbering up the ice turning 3 on 1's into 3 on 5's

 

[SeidoN]

The Dark Knight Returns!?

 

[Blackjack]

That's the problem a number of fans have. If he is being a passenger as a checking 3rd line center then fine. He is being given a bunch of PP time and now in games like tonight has Bratt and Mojo around him. If he is going to recover from his injury so-be-it but he shouldn't be handed the role he is being given. He has been playing like our fourth best center offensively and is being given the role of our 2nd best center.

So what if he's playing with Bratt and Mojo? Mojo hasn't exactly lit it up either, and Bratt is the kind of player that might help both of them play better. People are acting like Zajac is getting some glorious linemates, but Wood, Gibbons, Coleman, Noesen, and Boyle have all been excellent and offensively producing, and Zacha has looked a little better for the last few games, so it's not like anyone is being forced to play with plugs so Zajac can have his role.

edit: And I don't really think we have checking lines. We have a top line with Hall-Hischier-Palmieri, and then 3 strong two way lines.

 

[njdevils1982]

What websites do line combination stats?

Example, I want to see player combination points in the league. Hall-Hischier or Draisaitl-McDavid

Any help is appreciated thanks, I can only find websites for line combination but not for specific goal/assist totals when playing with certain players

this help?

FrozenPool NHL Line Combinations , NHL Line Production & Fantasy Hockey Tools

 

[EliasFTW]

Need to win this game. To many bandwagon fans

 

[Cult of Hynes]

So what if he's playing with Bratt and Mojo? Mojo hasn't exactly lit it up either, and Bratt is the kind of player that might help both of them play better. People are acting like Zajac is getting some glorious linemates, but Wood, Gibbons, Coleman, Noesen, and Boyle have all been excellent and offensively producing, and Zacha has looked a little better for the last few games, so it's not like anyone is being forced to play with plugs so Zajac can have his role.

edit: And I don't really think we have checking lines. We have a top line with Hall-Hischier-Palmieri, and then 3 strong two way lines.

Mojo has been hurt 80% of the season and has been more of a factor when he's healthy and playing than Zajac has been.

And so what if he is playing with Bratt and MoJo? Zajac has no business being a top 6 player, and he has even less business being on the top PP unit that already slots in Brian Boyle.

He's an offensive blackhole, and more skilled players aren't getting first unit PP time because of his corpse being slotted into a role he has no business playing since he lacks the IQ, creativity and skills. He's sucked at passing this year, his shot has always been garbage, and he's never been creativity and has pretty horrible offensive IQ.

 

[NJDevs26]

Team losing - complain about Zacha not playing enough and Zajac playing too much
Team winning - complain about Zacha not playing enough and Zajac playing too much

At least on this issue we're a consistent broken record

 

[JK3]

Drew Stafford...

 

[NJDevs26]

And I don't get what people want Hynes to do with Zajac, it's not exactly easy to bury someone with three and a half years left on a semi-big money contract. Especially when said center is still the best faceoff guy on the team (though not by as much as he's been in the past). I'm actually surprised they buried Lovejoy as quick as they did this year with almost two years left on his deal. Heck on merit Boyle deserves to be the #2C over Zajac AND Zacha but HF likes complaining about the kids not getting enough time more than complaining about vets over other vets.

I get that Zajac has a Dustin Brown vibe to him right now (at least the Dustin Brown of the previous few years) but you also don't want to overload the kids either.

 

[njdevils1982]

Drew Stafford...

im your white knight

 

[NJDevils17]

And I don't get what people want Hynes to do with Zajac, it's not exactly easy to bury someone with three and a half years left on a semi-big money contract. Especially when said center is still the best faceoff guy on the team (though not by as much as he's been in the past). I'm actually surprised they buried Lovejoy as quick as they did this year with almost two years left on his deal. Heck on merit Boyle deserves to be the #2C over Zajac AND Zacha but HF likes complaining about the kids not getting enough time more.

This is true but I think we’ve all kind of addressed this over the years: When we’re ready to compete, Zajac will be the 3C. His defense hasn’t declined as much as it appears and he’s still a key face-off guy. Now, Zajac has struggled offensively but he’s not as bad as his lows. He’s on A bad contract, however, it doesn’t really matter for us since we’re so far under the cap.

Zacha is a peculiar case. He looks good recently, but has struggled still. Playing with MoJo and Bratt might be good for him but it’d be giving him minutes he hasn’t earned. Boyle’s game isn’t really suited to play in the top-six. Zajac is kind of the “odd man in.” Rather have Zacha because of how important he is to the future of the team, how much his play has improved recently and how little Zajac has done this year. However, I don’t really get all that mad with Zajac over him. It is what it is.

 

[tr83]

Zajac got hurt and by the time he came back, half the roster turned over. He goes from being one of the faster guys on the roster (for years) to one of the slowest, so it'll take some time to adjust.

He's been solid for a few games now. He looked good with Gibbons and Coleman. Leave him on the 3rd line with them.

His contract is fine.

 

[Ben Matlock]

As much as I dislike the guy, candy Kane is just plain funny.

 

[NJDevs26]

Random but it fits the thread theme

 

[Emperoreddy]

Awesome Die Hard thread. Christmas season. Healthy roster. 3 game winning streak.

Can’t think of a reason to bitch

 

[glenwo2]

I think he was just typecast.

He did make a nice career out of that it seems. lol

 

[glenwo2]

nhl.com has hossa on the roster…..

what a farce the whole situation is

But WE violated the spirit of the CBA.....

 

[glenwo2]

Stafford out tonight according to Gross. That is how a healthy lineup should be.

About time.

Let's see how a lineup consisting of players that are and have been scoring, will fare today.

 

[JimEIV]

You lucky bastard. I get to watch this game as -30 to -40 wind chills set in

I'm sorry. I won't tell you that it's 81° here.

 

[DerekDevils30]

About time.

Let's see how a lineup consisting of players that are and have been scoring, will fare today.

Incoming 1-0 loss?

 

[glenwo2]

This is true but I think we’ve all kind of addressed this over the years: When we’re ready to compete, Zajac will be the 3C. His defense hasn’t declined as much as it appears and he’s still a key face-off guy. Now, Zajac has struggled offensively but he’s not as bad as his lows. He’s on A bad contract, however, it doesn’t really matter for us since we’re so far under the cap.

This can't be overstated.

Cult of Hynes and other Zajac bashers are on Zajac moreso because of his seemingly-bloated contract.....EXCEPT that the Devils are far under the cap so it DOESN'T MATTER ANYMORE.

So I'd put him on the 3rd line and keep him there and if people still don't like it just because, tough shiznit.

 

[Its a Trap]

Just landed in Key West, now I have to figure out where to watch the game tonight.

Any bar will take your request to put the game on. Spent almost 2 weeks down there(FL) around thanksgiving and went to a different bar every game and wasn’t The only devil fan present.