They've outscored opponents 9-1 in the past two games. Close enough, haha.
- Todd.Cordell

9-2 actually...

Red hot Devils?!

The ones that have won two in a row? Lol
- IlyaorZach

I would say, luke warm, at best.

No, we would be nuts to touch the 1st or 3rd line. That Poni, Clarky, JJ line can become something special. We obviously leave 17-14-9. We cant have Travis centering Boulton and Cam/Carter.

In my opinion the only one in the top 9 that is expendable is 15. His lack of speed and physicality is only acceptable cause we've been winning. He hasn't been good outside of the occasional big shot.
- WayneZ

Well, if you want to be truthful, Zajac can play 4th line (Plus special teams) if Zharkov and Carter were his wings, wouldn't be a waste.

EDIT: Also, Zajac can not play 2nd line minutes in his first 5 games back, he just can't. Too much of a risk and its unnecessary.

Well, if you want to be truthful, Zajac can play 4th line (Plus special teams) if Zharkov and Carter were his wings, wouldn't be a waste.
- IlyaorZach

Its not a matter of where he can play. He could play on any line. I love Sharky, and he does wonderful things for me on NHL 2012, on the xbox, but the reality of it is he has never really excelled in NJ. We have too many forwards, if thats possible, so not sure how bringing up Sharky is the answer.

Putting Travis with a guy like Elias and Zuby gives a hell of a second line. Think about the defensive responsibility on that line, as well as the offensive skill sets. Having Travis on line 4 in the long run, is a mistake in my opinion.

Anyone know how to get the devils game on the computer?

Its not a matter of where he can play. He could play on any line. I love Sharky, and he does wonderful things for me on NHL 2012, on the xbox, but the reality of it is he has never really excelled in NJ. We have too many forwards, if thats possible, so not sure how bringing up Sharky is the answer.

Putting Travis with a guy like Elias and Zuby gives a hell of a second line. Think about the defensive responsibility on that line, as well as the offensive skill sets. Having Travis on line 4 in the long run, is a mistake in my opinion.
- WayneZ

To me, Sharky is the answer, the other game when Parise got hurt, they put Boulton on the first line, REALLY?! Zharkov at least can push the puck forward and gets a respectable amount of assists while playing with non offensive teammates.
I understand Zajac on the 4th line is a mistake because he makes any line he's on better (Except MAYBE the first line) but think about how many matchups both third and fourth lines would win and hopefully, when facing bad competition, Zajac can put up .75 points per game or so in the playoffs.

So, that was an awesome end to that game.

big win and comeback, and zidlicky with a nice shot to win it (or elias with the tip)

hedberg came up BIG!!!

this wouldn't have happened with an afternoon start..
but..
YEA! close game, showing resiliency at the end! big morale boost here. YES, we CAN tie and win games in the last 2 minutes.

and philly won too, so we're not any closer to losing that matchup against wash/florida

this wouldn't have happened with an afternoon start..
but..
YEA! close game, showing resiliency at the end! big morale boost here. YES, we CAN tie and win games in the last 2 minutes.

and philly won too, so we're not any closer to losing that matchup against wash/florida
- MartysBetter88

Most important thing to take away from tonight. We definitely need to become more resilient but i have been seeing improvements. I have noticed more and more 60 minute efforts. We are holding on to more and more leads, even pulling away and sealing the games ourselves.

To me, Sharky is the answer, the other game when Parise got hurt, they put Boulton on the first line, REALLY?! Zharkov at least can push the puck forward and gets a respectable amount of assists while playing with non offensive teammates.
I understand Zajac on the 4th line is a mistake because he makes any line he's on better (Except MAYBE the first line) but think about how many matchups both third and fourth lines would win and hopefully, when facing bad competition, Zajac can put up .75 points per game or so in the playoffs.
- IlyaorZach

When healthy we don't need boulton in the lineup at all (I doubt he will be either). Our 4th line will be Bernier-Carter-Sykora, and to be honest I don't know what Zharkov would bring to this team. Defensive ability? Sure, but he still wouldnt crack our PK unit. Speed? Yes. Finish? Hell no. Offensive ability? No. Physical presence? no. If we needed penalty killers I could see it, but we have a ton of good two-way players. I would rather see Sykora, Tedenby and even go with 7 dmen before we try Zharkov.

On top of that, a true four line attack really doesn't work at the NHL level. There simply is not enough ice time to go around. There is no way Zajac would put up .75 a game on the fourth line. Yes, he is playing against lesser competition. But he is also playing with it. He has never been a player to create his own chances .

When healthy we don't need boulton in the lineup at all (I doubt he will be either). Our 4th line will be Bernier-Carter-Sykora, and to be honest I don't know what Zharkov would bring to this team. Defensive ability? Sure, but he still wouldnt crack our PK unit. Speed? Yes. Finish? Hell no. Offensive ability? No. Physical presence? no. If we needed penalty killers I could see it, but we have a ton of good two-way players. I would rather see Sykora, Tedenby and even go with 7 dmen before we try Zharkov.
- rmdevil313

pretty sure sykora and elias wont be broken up, no matter what

pretty sure sykora and elias wont be broken up, no matter what
- dmarsden2988

That's about as certain as Josefson being demoted to the fourth line or Zajac playing on the fourth line. DeBoer is going to have to make a decision and to be honest, the only player that doesn't really belong in the top 9 is Sykora. My argument for keeping sykora in the top 9 when Zajac got back was that we really didn't have 9 top 9 forwards. Even though sykora really only produces like a top 9 with elias, at least its still top 9 production. With JJ's recent emergence, he is a top 9 player who is faster, more responsible defensively, and more creative.

That's about as certain as Josefson being demoted to the fourth line or Zajac playing on the fourth line. DeBoer is going to have to make a decision and to be honest, the only player that doesn't really belong in the top 9 is Sykora. My argument for keeping sykora in the top 9 when Zajac got back was that we really didn't have 9 top 9 forwards. Even though sykora really only produces like a top 9 with elias, at least its still top 9 production. With JJ's recent emergence, he is a top 9 player who is faster, more responsible defensively, and more creative.
- rmdevil313

i still highly doubt sykora is switched when zajac comes back

and while JJ has looked great and created stuff, he hasnt scored yet, i doubt your going to take someone (a vet) who has over 15 goals for someone who has 0

am i saying he should keep sykora up there? nope, just saying what i believe will happen

Great comeback win. Clarkson is clutch. Josefson is producing, same with Zidlicky. Hate the Flyers but glad they won. Hate to say it but against the Pens I'm not sure we'd win.

i still highly doubt sykora is switched when zajac comes back

and while JJ has looked great and created stuff, he hasnt scored yet, i doubt your going to take someone (a vet) who has over 15 goals for someone who has 0

am i saying he should keep sykora up there? nope, just saying what i believe will happen
- dmarsden2988

"i second this".

A 4th line of Sykora-Carter-Bernier would be adequate... tho I still think Carter-Josefson-Bernier is a great 4th line. But I'll sacrifice a great 4th line for a great 2nd line.
A 2nd line of Elias-Zajac-Zubrus would be amazing.
Elias is losing too many draws, DeBoer HAS to see this. That line loses posession time because they can't get the puck at faceoffs! Adding a true center with faceoff skills makes that line so much better. I think Elias and Zubrus would see increased production and I think they will compliment Zajac well.

I know Sykora is his best with Patrick.. but really, how good IS he being? We're much better as a team with Zajac on that line than Sykora. He's a better player and can win faceoffs. That line becomes a serious puck posession line with Zajac. That would truely give us 2 top lines. We'll have 3 very competitive lines!