GDT: Rangers @ Devils

[ChilltownDevs2673]

We got a point thats all that matters. FVck them let them celebrate a hollow victory! They got lucky alot tonight. Did anyone see when they scored with 13 seconds left Torts look liked he was gonna jizz on himself.

[Triumph]

also greene and salvador were not good tonight, at all. that's something that's going to get lost in this, but they have suddenly reverted to 3rd pairing form all of the sudden.

[Random Poster]

Niedermayer 16:34. ugh. Edited March 26, 2010 by SJP20

[maxpower]

yea, TG is asking 'why wasn't ilya kovalchuk used in the shootout?', which is basically because he sucks at the shootout and isn't any good at it.

lol. should have went over and asked Torts whey he didn't use Gaborik, afterwards. arguing about who the third shooter was, as if that was the most important part of the game. wasn't like it was a big mystery. it was going to be one of Langs or Zajac

also greene and salvador were not good tonight, at all. that's something that's going to get lost in this, but they have suddenly reverted to 3rd pairing form all of the sudden.

Salvador and Dean blew my mind on the 2nd goal. I still don't understand how that happened. and whoever was supposed to be paying attention to Anisimov, they suck too. that looked like one of those give-up line change dump-ins, and next thing you know, they look like they're skating in quicksand

[UnderDogX]

but it shouldn't have been one of Langs or Zajac....it should've been one of Langs or Kovy...that's what Kovy is here to do and his career vs the Rags is 1 for 2 which, in my opinion, is miles above Zajac's 0 for, now, 3....at the very least you put the hot hand in and that still eliminates Zajac in terms of points...yeah he's good, hell he's great, but just because Lemaire has a hard on for him at the moment doesn't mean he should be in on the shoot out.....then again, Lemaire lost that game for us way before the shoot out line up....

[maxpower]

but it shouldn't have been one of Langs or Zajac....it should've been one of Langs or Kovy...that's what Kovy is here to do and his career vs the Rags is 1 for 2 which, in my opinion, is miles above Zajac's 0 for, now, 3....at the very least you put the hot hand in and that still eliminates Zajac in terms of points...yeah he's good, hell he's great, but just because Lemaire has a hard on for him at the moment doesn't mean he should be in on the shoot out.....then again, Lemaire lost that game for us way before the shoot out line up....

it's always one of Langs or Zajac. why are you surprised? Kovalchuk isn't any good at the SO. I wouldn't have been surprised if Clarkson went first. I'm not going to sit here and argue shootout strategy, because the whole thing is a farce. our strategy is for Parise or Elias to score... or both, and Marty to stop 2 out of 2 or 3. there's no science to this. it doesn't matter

[sundstrom]

So the converse happens and you'd be here singing JL's praises? I don't think so. I said the Kovy trade wouldn't happen and if it did I'd post of picture of me eating my head, and I did. Sometimes I feel like this website is all about b!tching and not giving credit where it's due. Perhaps that's unfair of me, but I get really sick of reading nothing but negative posts by some posters.

i don't bitch for bitching sake. i thought the devils did a lot of good tonight. but i'm going to call out JL on things that just seem clear as day. if he pushes the right buttons, i would absolutely give him the credit he was due. JL was getting loads of credit early in the season when he was trusting young guys, demoting pandolfo, and getting a resurgence out of andy greene.

okay a+ on the godfather reference as one of the rarer-cited lines -

there's not 'virtually no chance' he is winning the draw. if drury is a 55% guy and elias is 40%, then drury is 65% to win it. i obviously want zubrus taking an important faceoff, but i don't want zubrus with niedermayer and clarkson out on the ice, nor do i want lemaire shifting lines around with a minute to go.

thank you for the credit on the godfather line - i was actually afraid it would get lost. faceoffs are one of those things that require a "close and late" analysis that doesn't exist. it sounds like "media speak" but big faceoffs that have to be won - really good faceoff guys become 80% to win them and the sh!tty guys that win 40% by happenstance (like elias) become 20%.

what media? TG's still getting to the bottom of why STH's were allowed in the press box and on the radio. it's not his writing style, he's not going to ask questions, and he's not a fan or an ideologue, so he's never going to get riled up enough to ask questions like that.

not to mention, if they cut off his access, what good is he?

if someone like me was a beat reporter, I would have been exiled and fired in a month. it's a business

of course this is true - remember early in the season when TG called out the devils during the blackout game and he was apparently given the cold shoulder for a week or so after.

also greene and salvador were not good tonight, at all. that's something that's going to get lost in this, but they have suddenly reverted to 3rd pairing form all of the sudden.

i did actually recognize this. they made some terrible decisions - like overthinking when the simple play was there. who woulda thunk but skoula has actually been super steady and kinda good since his arrival. he, along with mottau's resurgence as a steady defender who limits bonehead plays has covered up the weaker play of 5, 24 & 6. martin has also been the godsend we expected.

[iamtheprodigy]

I agree with Tri on virtually every point - I just don't feel that upset about losing this game. We outplayed them all the way. The top two lines played fantastic - even useless Rolston stung the Queen with at least 4 or 5 dead-on slappers, one of which resulted in a goal. In the end we got beat because of poor fortune. You can blame the draw loss if you want - but I really don't think it would have been any different had we won it. The way the Rangers were pinning us behind our net, we probably would have ended up in the exact same position anyway and given up the goal. I don't think Lemaire or any individual player is to blame for the loss. The Rangers just had luck and a good goalie behind them.

P.S. Where was Gaborik tonight? Did he even get a shot?

[NJDevs26]

lol. should have went over and asked Torts whey he didn't use Gaborik, afterwards. arguing about who the third shooter was, as if that was the most important part of the game. wasn't like it was a big mystery. it was going to be one of Langs or Zajac

Seriously. The guy next to me was also wondering why no Kovalchuk in the shootout. Obviously he or anyone else that is questioning that hasn't seen the Devils since the Olympics, Kovalchuk's god awful on breakaways, including the epic fail penalty shot against the Penguins.

I was mildly surprised it was Zajac instead of Langs, but what's the difference really, they've both had their moments in the skills competition and Langs missed about a thousand chances to score in the regular game before finally getting one in the third period.

What annoys me most about this game is blowing the three leads (again) including one in the final seconds, also again.

Edited March 26, 2010 by NJDevs26

[SatansDevils]

The positive to come out of another nightmare game here by the Devils is they got a point (should have had 2-points in regulation!) to clinch a playoff spot for the 13th straight season. Atlanta also lost which helped the Devils clinch the playoff spot, but also helped the Rangers.

The negative and the bad...

The PP costed them another game especially in the 1st period where they clearly dominated the period and could have burried this fvcking team.

Mottau and White really had a bad game especially White. This paring is a total fvcking nightmare and really needs to be split up NOW!

Devils dominated that game that the Elias and Langenbrunner breakaways (especially Elias')should have been burried for goals, but they really fvcked them up. The Kovalchuk slapshot that got deflected and hit the post was a bad break too. Devils did not get the bounces tonight.

Lundqvist was very lucky tonight that he didn't give up 6-7 goals tonight.

This Devils team has to learn how to close out and bury teams like the Rangers tonight. It will be another short-lived playoffs after one round if the PP does not improve along with the horrid defensive breakdowns in the zone and on the PK. No way this game should have gone to OT. To blow 3 leads and to give one up with 16.5 seconds to go in regulation. Unacceptable!

The Devils have lost just eight of their last 28 overtime/shootout games dating back to last season.

New Jersey is 3-of-26 on the power play over the last eight games after going 0-for-3 vs. New York. That will give this team a 1st round exit once again...

Edited March 26, 2010 by SatansDevils

[Random Poster]

what media? TG's still getting to the bottom of why STH's were allowed in the press box and on the radio. it's not his writing style, he's not going to ask questions, and he's not a fan or an ideologue, so he's never going to get riled up enough to ask questions like that.

not to mention, if they cut off his access, what good is he?

if someone like me was a beat reporter, I would have been exiled and fired in a month. it's a business

Agreed. October rant aside, i've never been a fan of TG. He's vanilla and comes across as "just doing the job". I wouldn't be heartbroken to see his beat changed to the Nets or Metrostars Red Bulls or whatever they call themselves nowadays.

Andrew Gross who covers the Rags, i wouldn't mind someone like him cover the Devils. A little personality with a touch of homerism.

[Triumph]

ugh, gross is terrible. TG does an amazing job with fire and ice, i really can't believe he's getting criticized. he doesn't have carte blanche to rip the team.

[SatansDevils]

Seriously. The guy next to me was also wondering why no Kovalchuk in the shootout. Obviously he or anyone else that is questioning that hasn't seen the Devils since the Olympics, Kovalchuk's god awful on breakaways, including the epic fail penalty shot against the Penguins.

I was mildly surprised it was Zajac instead of Langs, but what's the difference really, they've both had their moments in the skills competition and Langs missed about a thousand chances to score in the regular game before finally getting one in the third period.

What annoys me most about this game is blowing the three leads (again) including one in the final seconds, also again.

The Devils shootout was just fvcked to begin with...Why was parise trying to go 5-hole on Lundqvist? Parise should have gone the top shelf stick-side on Lundqvist like he usually does and scores...

Lemaire screwd up by not using Kovalchuk as he owns Lundqvist. Kovy should have went 3rd then Langenbrunner 4th with Zajac going 5th if it gone that far. Bad decision there by Lemaire IMO.

[ChilltownDevs2673]

Turst me it burns me up losin to the Rags; however were offically assured the playoffs. The Devils should have won this game no question; we allowed the Rags to keep breathing. I agree I don't feel that bad about losing this game; of course it stings because it's the hated entitled feeling Rags and we should of won but like I said the Devils have to learn from this and push forward. We need to win close games.

[maxpower]

Agreed. October rant aside, i've never been a fan of TG. He's vanilla and comes across as "just doing the job". I wouldn't be heartbroken to see his beat changed to the Nets or Metrostars Red Bulls or whatever they call themselves nowadays.

Andrew Gross who covers the Rags, i wouldn't mind someone like him cover the Devils. A little personality with a touch of homerism.

the guy who proceeded TG, his name was Hirsch or something like that, he was an a$$hole. and he was replaced with TG when they killed the Rangers beat. they just want someone to play ball. now, especially with the website too. TG had a good relationship with Sather, so he was perfect to work with the Devils. I mean, if you can't ask questions about Sather, who can you ask questions about? where is Sather, anyway?

[Sickman]

Sundstrom, good stuff fwiw. I think you hit the nail on the head with pretty much all of your criticisms. Terribly frustrating is spot on when it comes to this team.

[maxpower]

ugh, gross is terrible. TG does an amazing job with fire and ice, i really can't believe he's getting criticized. he doesn't have carte blanche to rip the team.

he really doesn't ask any risky questions, though, like the "where is Zubrus?" or "what's the deal with Rolston?" types. I think some people want a Devils Brooskie, but it's not going to happen. they need niches to sell papers and get page views. being confrontational with the Devils makes your access go bye-bye, and in the Records case, if they can't get access, they might as well just use pool reports.

[Random Poster]

ugh, gross is terrible. TG does an amazing job with fire and ice, i really can't believe he's getting criticized. he doesn't have carte blanche to rip the team.

TG has the writing/blogging personality of a robot. See it exact, hear it and then write it. Nothing more, nothing less. A little opinion or constructive criticism and acting like you like the team you're assigned to cover helps the job.

Too bad the TG that went off on a rant doesn't translate more into his overall style. He'd be somewhat entertaining to read.

EDIT...maxpower hit it on the head....it's just frustrating to have a beat writer not ask the questions that need to be asked.

Edited March 26, 2010 by SJP20

[devilsrule33]

Did TG lose some access after his giant rant against the Devils? I can't say I noticed anything.

This is last year repeating itself. At this time last season, everyone was trying to get TG to ask Sutter why he was putting together Pando-Madden-Shanny, and why they were using the passive box. TG does a great job getting the fans info, but obviously no one following the Devils has ever asked a controversial question. Lemaire wouldn't have it either. Tonight, he made a snarky comment about having Mottau in the shootout when asked why Kovalchuk wasn't there.

I think it would be fair for any reporter to ask what happened to Zubrus. He was off the third line for the third.

Edited March 26, 2010 by devilsrule33

[ice dog]

watching mottau and white out there in the final minute of a game trying protect the 1 goal lead makes me want to blow my brains out...

[njdevil26]

All I'm noticing is that a few people are asking him what's going on with Zubrus in his comments in his blog and he is posting answers to every question but that one.

[mackchi]

watching mottau and white out there in the final minute of a game trying protect the 1 goal lead makes me want to blow my brains out...

....and not renew my season tickets!

[Chimaira_Devil_#9]

We had so many chances in that game, we just didnt get the bounces and the Rangers did, we were all over them.

Can't really complain about the shooutout, you go with the hunch at the time, the other night it payed off for Boudreau and the Caps when he sent out Mike Kunuble and he potted the SO winner, this time it just didn't work.

On the last goal, at least we didn't shoot ourselves in the foot, it was a fantastic pass by Christensen, although it was a play made out of desperation with the clock ticking down. Most of the time a play think that just floats harmlessley onto a Devils stick, but instead found Drurys and he somehow gets the puck past Brodeur even though he looked glued on that post.

I think a worse play was made by salvadore when Purst got the puck in the corner for the rangers second goal. Sal was looking to take the body and if he had been watching where the puck was going he could have got to it first and sent it around the boards.

I really hope the Rangers dont make the playoffs, and if they do i hope its in 8th so the can get turned over by Ovechkin and the Caps in 4.

[HellOnICE]

Two things:

1. I love everyone criticizing the shots taken by Zach and Patrik.

2. TG does a great job, but some are correct. He often doesn't ask the tough questions that a Brooks would ask, just to ask, even to make a point. But LB is also a fanboy trying to put his influence on the team.

[Colorado Rockies 1976]

The positive to come out of another nightmare game here by the Devils is they got a point (should have had 2-points in regulation!) to clinch a playoff spot for the 13th straight season. Atlanta also lost which helped the Devils clinch the playoff spot, but also helped the Rangers.

First off, though I hated the fact that the Devils didn't win and that the Rangers still have life as a result, the Devils did do a lot of things well. If both teams played exactly the same way I'd say the Devils probably win this one 70% of the time. And all things considered, the "nightmare" games haven't been happening as often lately...the Devils are a very respectable 5-2-2 in their last nine.

Devils haven't clinched yet, though all they need is one more point...or Atlanta to not go 8-0-0 in their last eight. Safe to say it's a matter of time, although even with that prolonged skid, the Devils not making the playoffs was never an issue.

The negative and the bad...

The PP costed them another game especially in the 1st period where they clearly dominated the period and could have burried this fvcking team.

Mottau and White really had a bad game especially White. This paring is a total fvcking nightmare and really needs to be split up NOW!

Devils dominated that game that the Elias and Langenbrunner breakaways (especially Elias')should have been burried for goals, but they really fvcked them up. The Kovalchuk slapshot that got deflected and hit the post was a bad break too. Devils did not get the bounces tonight.

Lundqvist was very lucky tonight that he didn't give up 6-7 goals tonight.

This Devils team has to learn how to close out and bury teams like the Rangers tonight. It will be another short-lived playoffs after one round if the PP does not improve along with the horrid defensive breakdowns in the zone and on the PK. No way this game should have gone to OT. To blow 3 leads and to give one up with 16.5 seconds to go in regulation. Unacceptable!

The Devils have lost just eight of their last 28 overtime/shootout games dating back to last season.

New Jersey is 3-of-26 on the power play over the last eight games after going 0-for-3 vs. New York. That will give this team a 1st round exit once again...

Yeah, everyone wishes this team could score more on the PP, but I hate when fans can't bring themselves to give the other team credit...even when it's the Rangers, a team I couldn't possibly despise more. They played well and they played desperate. They needed this game in the worst way. Both teams overall played pretty well, both teams made some mistakes, and in the end, in spite of the absurd shootout nonsense that awards fake victories, both teams fought for and deserved a point out of this. To say things like "should have been a win" and "to blow 3 leads blah blah blah" is really looking at this through red-and-black glasses. As much as I hate to do it, I have to tip my hat to the Rangers...they knew their season was about to slip away, and they found a way to keep their hopes alive. Now let's see them continue to do it, because they haven't exactly left themselves much in the way of margin for error, though it's not like any of the teams ahead them look like they're capable of leaving the Rangers in the dust. I hate to say it, but I stick with what I said in the "Rangers Suck" thread...I have a feeling they're going to find their way in. If that means a first-round ouster for the Rangers and another year for Sather, maybe that's not the worst thing.