166 replies to this topic

[Devils Pride 26]

Good god in heaven please don't make this a thing.

 

 

 

 

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This team is awesome. fvcking... awesome. The schedule softens up a bit, I really hope we don't hit a lull. We should be able to take care of business the next few weeks, keep the train rolling.

 

I also hate to say it, but if Parise stayed this season, it might have been the best offensive team to ever skate for the devils... even better than the 2001 team. As it is, we're pretty goddamn dirty.

 

I've had a thing for Larose ever since the carolina series. Tough gritty player with decent hands. Devils-like player.

Yup. Larose and Zubrus in this system, on the same line? Look out...Or say Larose - Zubrus - Clarkson... that would be hell to play against on the boards in the zone.

[Marshall]

What a great way to start end the week (for you guys) and to start the new one (for me).

[SterioDesign]

Clarkson is really a bargain compared to those malkin crosby guys

Edited by SterioDesign, 11 February 2013 - 01:04 AM.

[Devilsrock01]

I didnt get to watch the game but I saw the highlights is gio okay after that wipe out he had looked bad...

[NJCroMag]

And with tonight's 2 goals the "boneheaded minor leaguer" equalled and then surpassed Sean Avery's career goal total...in 190 fewer games.

THIS.

Edited by NJCroMag, 11 February 2013 - 07:19 AM.

[Triumph]

Last night was the first time I really saw the Cup Finalist team - the team that outworked other teams in the corner and kept the puck in the opponent's end with the lead.  There hasn't been too much of that so far this year.

 

There's still some big issues with this team, but so far they're getting the percentages and playing well to boot.  Just have to go .500 the rest of the way to make the playoffs.

 

I keep expecting Matteau to have a standard 'rookie game' where his decision-making is poor but he really hasn't had it yet - he hasn't looked out of place with Kovalchuk and Zajac.  It's funny, when he's drafted I think, 'This is the kind of forward DeBoer would love - too bad he's probably 4 or 5 years away from the NHL and DeBoer will probably be gone at that point'.  I like his speed on that line better than I like Zubrus right now.

[SterioDesign]

meanwhile in NY...

 

[EdgeControl]

Once again they tried to bully us early, but we took the puches and then sufficated them. sweet.  we got caught with their late speed a few times but moose had the ice seriously covered

 

loved it when malkin took it around the entire zone TWICE, and then we just took it down and scored LMAO

 

the 20min Kovy > 30 min Kovy!!!     he looked great

[mouse]

Love how this team weathers the storm.

Clarkson is really a bargain compared to those malkin crosby guys

He certainly is compared to that Parise guy.

[Zubie#8]

Once again they tried to bully us early, but we took the puches and then sufficated them. sweet.  we got caught with their late speed a few times but moose had the ice seriously covered

 

loved it when malkin took it around the entire zone TWICE, and then we just took it down and scored LMAO

 

the 20min Kovy > 30 min Kovy!!!     he looked great

If we had only three more powerplays his ice time would have been at 28 minutes. Only one powerplay so thats why it was low. I dont mind Kovy getting high ice time if there are a lot of powerplays. Last year was just bad, he was being double shifting constantly on the 4th line.

[Zubie#8]

Last night was the first time I really saw the Cup Finalist team - the team that outworked other teams in the corner and kept the puck in the opponent's end with the lead.  There hasn't been too much of that so far this year.

 

There's still some big issues with this team, but so far they're getting the percentages and playing well to boot.  Just have to go .500 the rest of the way to make the playoffs.

 

I keep expecting Matteau to have a standard 'rookie game' where his decision-making is poor but he really hasn't had it yet - he hasn't looked out of place with Kovalchuk and Zajac.  It's funny, when he's drafted I think, 'This is the kind of forward DeBoer would love - too bad he's probably 4 or 5 years away from the NHL and DeBoer will probably be gone at that point'.  I like his speed on that line better than I like Zubrus right now.

Looks like Matteau is now holding onto the puck a little longer, at first he was anxious to get a pass off and blindly passed it somewhere. He is now using his big frame, cycling well, being in the right position, and just playing smart hockey. Hope that continues.

[aylbert]

It seems the haters are starting with 'the Devils are boring' sh!t again because we continue to win. And we all know because Parise left, there's no WAY the Devils can win without playing the trap! Lmfao. So enter TG, who obviously knows what's up. I love the bitterness from fans of other teams though, enjoy that sh!tburger I told you was coming a$$holes. Tom Gulitti ‏@TGfireandice
The inability of some people to see the Devils play an aggressive forecheck game -- see Pens trouble in own end in 2nd and third -- amazes.

 

I thought NBCSN was going to give us props...  they started saying the Devils had to adjust in the past decade since their last cup; and that these aren't the same Devils....  but then went into how we had so many players and coaches leave....  but we replaced them with the same type players and systems...   Such a let down...  but at least Byslma had positive things to say about us:
 

 

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=415731
"I think this team may be different than what's traditionally talked about with the Devils," Bylsma said. "We had some scoring chances, we had some opportunities, but the thing they did really well was played in the offensive zone and extended shifts in the offensive zone. ... They did a good job of taking away opportunities for us to get things going by playing in the offensive zone, and we spent a lot of our energy playing defence."

[DJ Eco]

I thought NBCSN was going to give us props...  they started saying the Devils had to adjust in the past decade since their last cup; and that these aren't the same Devils....  but then went into how we had so many players and coaches leave....  but we replaced them with the same type players and systems...   Such a let down...  but at least Byslma had positive things to say about us:
 

 

 

I didn't get that reading at all. I felt like NBC was giving us major props most of the time. The jist of what they were talking about was how much more important "the team" is than "the player" for the New Jersey Devils. We've lost some of the best players through free agency in the past 15 years, even Hall of Fame players, and we almost never miss a beat regardless.

 

They weren't getting into specifics of WHICH system or that we're boring, etc., just that we have a consistent system in place and the players are movable parts, a means to an end. They were complimenting us big time all game. The "interchangeable parts" thing is something we talk about all the time as Devils fans, and it couldn't be more true. I don't think that was a dig at us being defensive/trap hockey.

[aylbert]

I didn't get that reading at all. I felt like NBC was giving us major props most of the time. The jist of what they were talking about was how much more important "the team" is than "the player" for the New Jersey Devils. We've lost some of the best players through free agency in the past 15 years, even Hall of Fame players, and we almost never miss a beat regardless.

 

They weren't getting into specifics of WHICH system or that we're boring, etc., just that we have a consistent system in place and the players are movable parts, a means to an end. They were complimenting us big time all game. The "interchangeable parts" thing is something we talk about all the time as Devils fans, and it couldn't be more true. I don't think that was a dig at us being defensive/trap hockey.

 

I guess.    Just when I hear them talk about the Devils 'system'; and how it hasn't changed; that we play strong defensive hockey;  I'm conditioned to feel it as a dig.     No mention like Bylsma makes, about our strong offensive prescense, pressing the action, keeping it in their zone...      Sure, we're not looking to play offense at all costs...  but we certainly aren't the 'boring' Devils that we have largely been called for the past two decades.

 

Our team has always been interchangable, with key players shifting up and down 3 lines...   but throughout that time its always been Lou and Marty.   With that era is coming to an end, I hope that  a) We maintain our quality play (obvioulsy)    b) the perception lifts that we win by D alone.   (much how I feel Marty has proved his status when the Stevens/Nieds were no longer on the ice in front of him)

[ScoreMoreThan3]

That ruled.
Wow really impressed with this team.
This is how I always expect them to play.
Running on all cylinders now!!
LGD keep it up!!

[Triumph]

I guess.    Just when I hear them talk about the Devils 'system'; and how it hasn't changed; that we play strong defensive hockey;  I'm conditioned to feel it as a dig.     No mention like Bylsma makes, about our strong offensive prescense, pressing the action, keeping it in their zone...      Sure, we're not looking to play offense at all costs...  but we certainly aren't the 'boring' Devils that we have largely been called for the past two decades.

 

Our team has always been interchangable, with key players shifting up and down 3 lines...   but throughout that time its always been Lou and Marty.   With that era is coming to an end, I hope that  a) We maintain our quality play (obvioulsy)    b) the perception lifts that we win by D alone.   (much how I feel Marty has proved his status when the Stevens/Nieds were no longer on the ice in front of him)

 

I mean, the Devils still limit shots on goal a ton and don't shoot the puck a lot themselves.  It would be just as boring as an opposing fan to watch my team getting outworked in the corners in the D zone as it would be watching them trying to enter the D zone and failing, as they would have been during the trap days.  Right now only Nashville has less shots on goal (themselves and their opponents) per 60 minutes at even strength.

[NJCroMag]

 

That ruled.
Wow really impressed with this team.
This is how I always expect them to play.
Running on all cylinders now!!
LGD keep it up!!

Sheesh...YOU. Alllllllllllllways with the negative. Just once I'd-...

[slight pause]

Oh...um....actually, that was pretty darn good. You c-...just carry on. Carry on.

Edited by NJCroMag, 11 February 2013 - 02:37 PM.

[ScoreMoreThan3]

Sheesh...YOU. Alllllllllllllways with the negative. Just once I'd-...

[slight pause]

Oh...um....actually, that was pretty darn good. You c-...just carry on. Carry on.

:::does a little dance twirls around:::: da da dat da daaaaa

The only negative thing I can say at this point is:
The amount of attention the Rangers are getting because they beat the Islanders who are the same old Islanders and also beating a Tampa Bay team in the WORST division is hockey. I can't take how stupid people are with the Rags some times.

Anyway ..ya that's about it..also that had nothing to do with this thread. Sorry in advance.

Edited by ScoreMoreThan3, 11 February 2013 - 02:54 PM.

[ScoreMoreThan3]

Hey if anyone wants to watch the game from last night I believe I'm watching the encore on NHL network.
I'm still bummed I missed Saturdays game
Heard it was nuts and barely saw highlights!

[iamtheprodigy]

Last night was the first time I really saw the Cup Finalist team - the team that outworked other teams in the corner and kept the puck in the opponent's end with the lead.  There hasn't been too much of that so far this year.

 

There's still some big issues with this team, but so far they're getting the percentages and playing well to boot.  Just have to go .500 the rest of the way to make the playoffs.

 

I keep expecting Matteau to have a standard 'rookie game' where his decision-making is poor but he really hasn't had it yet - he hasn't looked out of place with Kovalchuk and Zajac.  It's funny, when he's drafted I think, 'This is the kind of forward DeBoer would love - too bad he's probably 4 or 5 years away from the NHL and DeBoer will probably be gone at that point'.  I like his speed on that line better than I like Zubrus right now.

 

Agreed on all points. That game was really reminiscent of the Cup run, particularly the Flyers series. Got the lead on timely strikes, held the puck in their end for extended stretches, and limited chances against. The PK has really returned to last season's form, which is a huge plus.

 

I also really like what Matteau brought in that game. He was really throwing his weight around and had some great hits, plus his passing was good. His assist came on a smart, aggressive play, pressuring the dman on the point using his speed and good stick which lead to the odd-man rush. Hope he can keep it up and like you said, not have one of those "rookie" games where he just makes bad decisions all night.