65 replies to this topic

[Legion15]

was cautiously optimistic, but I knew if we played the way we know how this season we could do it! I'll admit, at times it was hard to keep the faith, especially after Game 1

[halfsharkalligatorhalfman]

I would have bet on the Flyers if there was a gun to my head, but I'm not shocked by any team winning any series. Talent levels are too close for almost every team, for any team to be a shoe in.

Yeah but did you think the Devils would win like that? It was complete domination.

[Jerrydevil]

I saw weakness in the Flyers. But I didn't think the Devils would dominate them in 5 games.

What a fun ride so far.

A GREAT ride. I'm very thankful.

[Parisalchuk]

I had my doubts going into the series but I still believed the devils could win it. Although I did not expect as dominant a win as this.

[sundstrom]

yup - eating crow - and it tastes great

[DaneykoIsGod]

was cautiously optimistic, but I knew if we played the way we know how this season we could do it! I'll admit, at times it was hard to keep the faith, especially after Game 1

Truth. The first four periods of the series were rough. But from the second period of Game 2 on, it was like someone gave the Devils uppers and roofied the Flyers. A very, very welcome surprise.

[Satans Hockey]

I can't be the only one who thought this thread was created by Manta

[DaneykoIsGod]

I can't be the only one who thought this thread was created for Manta

Fixed.

[DevsMan84]

I never thought they would make it this far. Never ever.

So happy now

[Marv4Life]

Gotta admit, I was one of those who didn't think we'd win this series after struggling against Florida but I'm glad to be wrong.

[CarpathianForest]

I gotta say after several games into the first round I was saying FLA would win. I predicted a Philly win. I'm 0-2, therefore I'm going with the Rangers to win the ECF.

[mouse]

I thought if we won, it would take 7, with Marty standing on his head and Bryz struggling badly. Instead, we pounded them, Bryz kept them in a couple of games, and, while Marty was brilliant at the end of the series, he had some shaky moments. These guys just keep picking each other up and elevating each other. Let's hope they can sustain it for 8 more wins.

[Neb00rs]

It just shows how much pressure got taken off by that first-round win. The Devils needed to win the first round, and once they did they turned it up another level in this series.

Good point. Could be a big reason why

Also while a lot of posters argued that no NHL team plays a full 60 minutes when I argued that the Devils were struggling with it, they came out and played 4 60 minute games. Well one was OT but you get what I mean.

[DevilNurn]

I was all but certain that after we squeaked by the Panthers that the Flyers would handle us, but it just shows that the Devils style just matched up better against Philly. The reason Philly beat Pittsburgh (who are a huge skill team) is because their physical play put them off their game and the Pens never recovered. Devils elevated their play and played above the garbage and played a great forecheck and scored more goals.

Next round Devils will have to elevate their play even more, Rangers or Caps. It'll be about prevented chances like this round but also about taking quality shots on the goalies. Holtby/Lundqvist are miles better than Bryzgalov/Theodore/Clemmensen and it'll take a lot to get quality shots through either team's shot-blocking. It will be a challenge, but after this round, anything is possible.

[Chuck the Duck]

Sometimes winning that 1st round series is the hardest part. I won't say that I didn't think the Devils could win this series. We played them tough in the regular season (split the season series). I thought it wold go 7. However, I worried about Philly's playmakers and feared their team speed would overwhelm the Devils over a long 7 games. Bryz was the wildcard and if we could rattle him, Philly could be beat. I never thought we'd make it look so easy, and make it look like we were clearly the more talented and faster skating team of the 2. Well done boys...now keep it going through round 3.

Edited by Chuck the Duck, 08 May 2012 - 10:30 PM.

[Triumph]

I mean, NJ crushed Florida at even strength, but they were horrendous 4 on 5. I didn't think Brodeur could play this well - he had his struggles in this series but he was able to fight through it.

[thelastonealive]

All I wanted out of this series was to not get swept. But to dominate the way they did for all but three or four periods of a 5 game series? That's a gear I didn't know they even had. Incredible. I hope this ride never stops.

[Devils Pride 26]

Was very hard on the team post game 5 in the first round but since, it has been a magic carpet ride. As Mac Miller would say, TAKE OVER THE WORLD WHILE THESE HATERS GET MAD

[lazer]

[justdo3043]

we did squeak by florida but they got a lot of breaks...their power play carried them at an unbelievable clip and we did a terrible job with leads

also i think they got under estimated as a playoff team a lot of guys stepped up for them

i think the reason everyone was so down on us this series was that pitt got so over estimated going into the playoffs that when philly beat them they took the mantle

besides we had a difficult time against the panthers all year