Derek21 Posted March 31, 2003 Share Posted March 31, 2003 As an unbiased outside observer, I can tell the truth about what I sense about another team. And what I see from the Devils is a team that's together and believes they are good enough to win the whole damn thing. They carry a swagger into their games now that wasn't evident when Brodeur was struggling a little while ago. And yeah, it's all reliant on the goalie. When Brodeur plays lights out like he's been playing the past two weeks, the Devils are almost unbeatable. They are now getting the timely goals from their best players (Elias and Gomez) and that's become their top line. The Nieuwendyk line is back to being the 2nd line and has cooled off. I see the Devils going very far in this year's postseason. They are very difficult on defense and few teams can get around it. Only speedy teams like Ottawa and Tampa Bay might be able to beat them in the East. If you want to throw Philly in there, you wouldn't see them until the 3rd round and they would be beaten up. New Jersey has four solid lines that are contributing and the best D in the league. They seem to be getting stronger and don't seem to miss that "scorer" everyone was crowing for at the deadline. I also think they have an easier draw than 1st seed Ottawa. Ottawa has to contend with either Toronto or Philly in the 2nd round while New Jersey could wind up with Tampa Bay or the Caps. If it's the Caps, they will have an easy time of it. If it's TB, that has the makings to be a good series. But I wonder if it would even compare in physicality to an Ottawa-Toronto or Ottawa-Philly in which both teams will beat each other up. The third round could see the winner of that potential series tired and worn down. I really think Brodeur's on a mission and he is the best goalie going into it. I wouldn't be shocked if they hoist the Cup in June. This team has the same heart the 2000 team did. They don't get down. That's my take. Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
E-Devil Posted March 31, 2003 Share Posted March 31, 2003 I believe that the heart is there, the defense is up to the challanage, the goaltending is certainly there... but I'm not sold on this offense even if Elias scores 5 goals in his next game. Heart will get you so far like it did for Carolina last year, but eventually as you get closer to the Stanley Cup your short-comings become more appairent as was the case again last year in the finals. Although I do think New Jersey would stand a much better chance against a power house like Detroit then a Cinderella Carolina. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
halfsharkalligatorhalfman Posted March 31, 2003 Share Posted March 31, 2003 I GUARENTEE A CUP VICTORY Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pezzer Posted March 31, 2003 Share Posted March 31, 2003 I also think they have an easier draw than 1st seed Ottawa. Ottawa has to contend with either Toronto or Philly in the 2nd round while New Jersey could wind up with Tampa Bay or the Caps. If it's the Caps, they will have an easy time of it. If it's TB, that has the makings to be a good series. Did the NHL stop reseeding? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NJayDevil Posted March 31, 2003 Share Posted March 31, 2003 Actually for one of the first times this season, I'm happy with ALL 4 lines. And Burns can finally roll 4 lines. Like in Jan. during our other hot streak, the 4th line got like 5-8 minutes a game and now the 4th line is getting 10-12 minutes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NJDevs4978 Posted March 31, 2003 Share Posted March 31, 2003 I also think they have an easier draw than 1st seed Ottawa. Ottawa has to contend with either Toronto or Philly in the 2nd round while New Jersey could wind up with Tampa Bay or the Caps. If it's the Caps, they will have an easy time of it. If it's TB, that has the makings to be a good series. Well there's always an upset or two in the first round that screws up the seedings. If say the Caps beat Tampa in the first round then if all the other higher seeds won we'd play Toronto in the second round while Ottawa got the Caps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Triumph Posted March 31, 2003 Share Posted March 31, 2003 Exactly Has, Toronto and Philadelphia aren't out of the question for the 2nd round. Who is out of the question, assuming the Devils can hold on to 2nd place, is Ottawa, and that's good news. What I like about the Devils' potential matchups is that Boston and the Islanders have had shaky goaltending all year. Now I know all of the superstitious "never forget 98 or 2002" people are going to get up in arms, but you know what, I think the Devils can beat Hackett/Shields, and I think the Devils can beat Snow. Most of all, what I think this Devils team possesses that the losing teams didn't is some kind of swagger. I think they're going to win in overtime. And that, my friends, is the key to this Devils team winning.. one overtime win against Carolina in 2002, or Ottawa in 98, and we're talking about second or third round berths. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sheeps Posted March 31, 2003 Share Posted March 31, 2003 I am happy with the team. I am looking forward to the Finals!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
devilsrule33 Posted March 31, 2003 Share Posted March 31, 2003 I wouldn't go that far sheepy. I am looking forward to the playoffs right now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
msweet Posted March 31, 2003 Share Posted March 31, 2003 We are getting way ahead of ourselves. How about we get 4 out of the next 8 points and win the Atlantic? I'd be happy with that for now. We've got Toronto, Boston, the Rag$ and the Spoiling Sabres. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek21 Posted March 31, 2003 Author Share Posted March 31, 2003 My take on Tampa Bay-Washington is that whoever wins that division and gets the home ice should prevail in that 1st round series. Tampa's been a great home team this season but a shaky road team. I think Toronto will choke in the first round. They are just too stupid to win. All that talent and probably the most playoff tested veterans on their roster in a win now scenario. But all it takes to get this team off their game are a couple of scrums. If the Flyers are smart and get underneath their skin, the Leafs will take dumb penalties which will cost them a couple of games. I think the Flyers are the better team anyway and are smarter than the Leafs and their bully tactics. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westcoastdevfan Posted April 1, 2003 Share Posted April 1, 2003 The team is on a roll, but the playoffs are a whole new demon. Lets hope they continue to build momentum for a long playoff run. Go Devils! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sheeps Posted April 1, 2003 Share Posted April 1, 2003 Shouldn't get ahead of myself? Every year I want the Devils to win the Cup, every year I look forward to it! That's just me showing my belief in my team!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shrubbery Posted April 1, 2003 Share Posted April 1, 2003 So we didn't get the blockbuster we wanted but Marshall and Rheaume has really helped solidify the lines. Rheaume especially has surprised me and he's given us a pretty good 4th (or 3rd when needed) line center. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SBT Posted April 2, 2003 Share Posted April 2, 2003 NJ over Boston in 4. NJ over Tampa/Washington in 4. NJ over Ottawa in 7. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westcoastdevfan Posted April 2, 2003 Share Posted April 2, 2003 NJ over Boston in 4.NJ over Tampa/Washington in 4. NJ over Ottawa in 7. sounds good to me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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