164 replies to this topic

[Chimaira_Devil_#9]

The Devils have to work on Carcillo and draw penalties off him.

He nearly lost it a few times last night.

[NewarkDevil5]

Let me start off by saying that I didn't want this matchup. I wanted Montreal because I thought that would be the easiest series. However, now that I think about it, no series will get the Devils more pumped up to play and playing a better physical game to go into the rest of the playoffs than one against the Flyers. I almost think that this team has to make its bones against a group of thugs like the Flyers in order to solidify their identity for the rest of the playoffs. Consider this series to be the playoff version of Fraternity hazing.

[peteyvegas]

If we transition and head-man, we'll beat these guys. If we stand around (like we have in the last few playoffs) we're dead.

[overtime98]

you cant pick your opponents. you have to play your best no matter who you play. if you make mistakes against florida they can beat you. Flyers are good tough team but so is every team in the playoffs, IMO. if they werent they would be in the playoffs. if the Devils play hard, mistake free hockey we can beat them. Should be a good series. looking forward to it!

[iamtheprodigy]

Guys need to stand up for each other early on. The Flyers are undoubtedly going to goon it up early on in the first game to try to pump themselves up. We can't get pushed around. Our forwards shouldn't be too much of a problem but I'm a bit worried about Martin, Mottau, and Greene. If a Flyer tries to take a run at anyone, we need a guy to step up immediately and let him know it's unacceptable, even if it's a non-fighter who does it. We can't let them think early on that they're just going to flatten us every game with no consequences, or it's going to be a loooong series.

Offensively, if we can get used to their high-pressure defensive style, we can exploit holes in it. We have the guys with the ability to make quick passes in their end and it's just a matter of preparation. I think they'll be ready. If Marty stays hot, then I like our chances.

[PaDevsFan]

One thing I am noticing on here, there are alot of Fans who are saying things like "we can beat them" , " we can win this series" Come on Guys!! Its not a matter of can we win this, The Devils are the # 2 seed in the Eastern Conference, The Flyers had to win a shootout against a weak Rags team with a good goalie to even get into the dance. If the Devils play like they have played the last 2 weeks or so, and get back some of the mojo from the first half of the season (when they were the best team in the entire league) then it isnt we can it is WE WIN THIS SERIES. Again I see some tough games, close ones, but I see a Devils victory in 5. in my opinion there is no way that Boucher can hold up in a series, not with the way our top lines have been playing. Pronger would have to play every shift with the way the lines have been rolling recently and that aint happening. Come on Devils Fans this is going to be fun knocking this team out of the post season!!!

[NewarkDevil5]

I think the most important thing regarding this series is not to let it drag on unnecessarily. There's no question that we can and should win with series, but letting it go beyond 5 games would open the door for injuries and fatigue that we don't want to carry through the rest of the playoffs.

[Triumph]

Flyers in five. I'm not saying that for the sake of being negative, because I would've picked the Devils to win in six or less against Ottawa, Montreal, or Boston. I just have a bad feeling against this particular opponent, much like I did against the 'Canes last year (though the Devils did fare better in that series than I thought they would). I have a feeling by the end of this series, we'll have seen too much of what we saw in the recent 5-1 loss to the Flyers (Devils looking slow and pressured), and we'll be lamenting how Boucher could have possibly played so well against the Devils...and lamenting it even more when Boucher looks human against whatever team he plays next.

The Devils are coming in having gone 10-4-4 in their last 18, and Brodeur has been terrific as of late, and there's positives to be found that refute my prediction. I'm just hoping I can read this post not too long from now and say "What was I thinking with this one?!"

reading into the 2nd game in 2 nights isn't the best idea. brodeur has barely had one good game against the flyers - they're shooting something ridiculous like 20% at even strength against new jersey so far this year. part of that is the increased scoring chances the devils have given up, but part of it is just absurd.

a lot's going to depend on just what fouls the league wants to crack down on in the first few games.

[NCDevsFan]

Devs in 6.

[britoon]

I wanted Montreal. I'm a firm believer that you want to try to get out of the first couple rounds pretty quickly and with as little physical abuse as possible. We all know how Philly plays so it's going to be a pretty tough series regardless of who wins. At least they avoided Rask though. I wouldn't be surprised to see him lead the B's to an upset over Buffalo.

I'm just glad the season is over. These last couple of months were difficult and I still think this team is capable of more to be honest. They have been pretty good these last couple of weeks though. Brodeur is in God mode and the team is doing a great job of limiting chances. Scoring could be a little better but at least there is some star power up front. The Devils have a lot going for them that they haven't in recent postseasons.

What I think it will come down to is special teams. I have a hard time seeing Philly not taking a lot of penalties this series. It's just what they do (although they were pretty disciplined against the Rags today). So in that regard the Devils must find a way to convert with the man advantage. It will probably be a very tight series at even strength and it will be crucial to take advantage while on the power play. The penalty kill has been great as of late (90% I believe over the last 50+ chances) but they must find a way to score consistently while up by a man, or two. If they don't this series will likely wind up being more of a coin toss then it really should be. We have all seen how momentum swings for this team in regards to special teams. They lost a lot of games because of it this season.

One thing that does worry me is how Philly has been able to beat up on the Devils defense and basically punish them in the defensive zone. It has led to Brodeur trying to compensate for the defense and that is why you have seen some weaker goals going in against the Flyers. He has to be able to just concentrate on playing goal. One way to correct this is to have the puck in the Flyers defensive end and neutral zone more often then not. Can't beat up the D when the puck is not in their zone.

What it boils down to for me is that I think that they are hungry and also believe that there is a lot of pride in that dressing room. This team has been on the sh!t end of the stick these last few years and I'd like to believe that they all want to correct what went wrong last year.

It's not going to be easy but I say the Devils find a way to get it done. Probably 6 games. There is just too much going for them. This could be the last real chance for some of the older guys and when you combine the hunger, experience and advantage in goal, I gotta believe they will find a way. Regular season series be damned, this is the Devils series to lose imo. First two games are key though. I think the Devils have to get to Philly up 2 - 0 to have a really strong opportunity to advance.

I agree with all of this. We shall see. GO DEVILS!

[Amberite]

Flyers in five. I'm not saying that for the sake of being negative, because I would've picked the Devils to win in six or less against Ottawa, Montreal, or Boston. I just have a bad feeling against this particular opponent, much like I did against the 'Canes last year (though the Devils did fare better in that series than I thought they would). I have a feeling by the end of this series, we'll have seen too much of what we saw in the recent 5-1 loss to the Flyers (Devils looking slow and pressured), and we'll be lamenting how Boucher could have possibly played so well against the Devils...and lamenting it even more when Boucher looks human against whatever team he plays next.

The Devils are coming in having gone 10-4-4 in their last 18, and Brodeur has been terrific as of late, and there's positives to be found that refute my prediction. I'm just hoping I can read this post not too long from now and say "What was I thinking with this one?!"

The 5-1 game wasn't exactly a rout. We were outshooting the Flyers in that game 33-25. It's not every day that you see Brodeur give up 5 goals on 25 shots or Boucher 1 goal on 33 shots. Another game against them was 5-2 to start the season, which can basically be thrown out. The other games were either very close (I believe two 1 goal games, including one in OT), a win by us, and one game where we just didn't have our legs. It's not nearly as one-sided as it looks.

[fredct]

When I look at TicketMaster for tickets to game 2, it appears that basically the entire upper bowl is sold out?? Are other people seeing this?

I'm wondering if they're holding back tickets to try to sell the packages, and trying to make single-gamers buy the expensive lower bowl... anyone have any info?

[theamazingtiny]

When I look at TicketMaster for tickets to game 2, it appears that basically the entire upper bowl is sold out?? Are other people seeing this?

I'm wondering if they're holding back tickets to try to sell the packages, and trying to make single-gamers buy the expensive lower bowl... anyone have any info?

Or Flyer fans bought them all.

[cubanjd305]

C'mon!...Devils CAN win? If this or that?? NO, Devils HAVE TO win this. Devs are #2, they're barely #7...anything less than a victory in this series is unacceptable and a complete failure.




Is it Wednesday yet??!

[britoon]

Kinda sucks that I'll be out of town for the first 2 games. I'll be keeping up with the score updates on my phone. I will be in NJ for game three so at least I'll be able to watch it on MSG.
GO DEVILS!

[LucifersDog]

Many people posting here are putting this series on the goaltending. To a point I agree but I think Marty does not want this round to go as last season' first round so he has a lot to prove and he will want to show that the players should have picked him in bigger numbers for their choice at the goalie they wanted in a big game and he has a lot to prove about what happened at the Olympics. So I say in the goalie area Marty will be strong. Devils run hot and cold in scoring and the Flyers push the Devils around so it should be a good series with the Devils taking it in 7.

[JesterDevil]

Love this - from the NHLDevils twitter -
RT @NHLDevils: We'll be waiting RT @NHLFlyers: We are. RT @NHLDevils: There's nothing better than playoff hockey. Who's coming Wed night?

[Daniel]

When I look at TicketMaster for tickets to game 2, it appears that basically the entire upper bowl is sold out?? Are other people seeing this?

I'm wondering if they're holding back tickets to try to sell the packages, and trying to make single-gamers buy the expensive lower bowl... anyone have any info?

I was looking for something in the upper bowl last week and couldn't find anything. In the past though I've kept trying and eventually got the tix I wanted.

You can go to stubhub. Upper bowl seats starting at $40.

[PaDevsFan]

C'mon!...Devils CAN win? If this or that?? NO, Devils HAVE TO win this. Devs are #2, they're barely #7...anything less than a victory in this series is unacceptable and a complete failure.




Is it Wednesday yet??!

Hmmm didnt someone say that...

[halfsharkalligatorhalfman]

The Flyers' Offense and toughness worries me.

But they are starting Brian Boucher.

The Devils have a high powered offense now too. They can match up with the Flyers in terms of offensive chances. The only way they lose is if Boucher outplays Broduer.

If that happens, and the Devils fail to get out of the 1st round for the THIRD year in a row cause of a mediocre Broduer performance I may just lose my mind and join up with "The Broken Record".