As far as I'm concerned, we already have. We questioned if Parise was a real playoff leader and he has stepped up to the plate. For me he leads by example. He is flying every shift and working so hard on every board battle. This team has new invigoration that we've been lacking in the past 5 years.
- Pomegrant

I agree!! Lou needs to figure out a way to sign him long term. So, I don't know what kind of magic trick Lou has up his sleeve to dish out whatever the amount Zach is asking for, but he needs to hand it to him on a silver platter! Zach is worth it

I agree!! Lou needs to figure out a way to sign him long term. So, I don't know what kind of magic trick Lou has up his sleeve to dish out whatever the amount Zach is asking for, but he needs to hand it to him on a silver platter! Zach is worth it
- Brute Force

I think the fact that the Devils are competitive is a really good selling point for Lou. Kovalchuk has been good in these playoffs but not as good as Parise. Parise is the leader of the team and Lou gave him the "C" to show him that if he wants to stay long term is his the leader. If he goes somewhere else he might not be that initially. Other contenders have their captains already. Kovalchuk hasn't been the best defensively even though he has improved drastically this season. Parise the the full package.

I think the fact that the Devils are competitive is a really good selling point for Lou. Kovalchuk has been good in these playoffs but not as good as Parise. Parise is the leader of the team and Lou gave him the "C" to show him that if he wants to stay long term is his the leader. If he goes somewhere else he might not be that initially. Other contenders have their captains already. Kovalchuk hasn't been the best defensively even though he has improved drastically this season. Parise is the full package.
- Pomegrant

*FIXED

That statement alone says it all.
Obviously, with every win the Devils get throughout the playoffs, it becomes more convincing and helps Zach lean more into staying with NJ...but that's never a guarantee

*FIXED

That statement alone says it all.
Obviously, with every win the Devils get throughout the playoffs, it becomes more convincing and helps Zach lean more into staying with NJ...but that's never a guarantee
- Brute Force

I'm all jacked up on energy drinks doing finals work. My brain is going nuts.

Like other players he's going to find that our club culture is much different than other teams. There is a reason why players want to stay here for a long time. Parise's a smart guy and he'll figure it out.

As far as I'm concerned, we already have. We questioned if Parise was a real playoff leader and he has stepped up to the plate. For me he leads by example. He is flying every shift and working so hard on every board battle. This team has new invigoration that we've been lacking in the past 5 years.
- Pomegrant

its gonna be bittersweet if we actually do make it to the finals and actually win the cup...on one hand itll basically force parises hand into captaining a winning team...but brodeur will almost certainly retire...wouldn't you?

on another note....i haven't seen the devils this hungry in the playoffs in YEARS...kovalchuk and parise are aching for a cup....i think kovy moreso

I'm having a tough time seeing the Flyers winning one.

- FlyerGuy

Slow down there, I remember not too long ago the Devils were down to Philly 3-1 and philly was DOMINATING them only to make a miracle comeback (thx to Larry Robinson's famous outburst). Philly actually has an easier chance of coming back in this series because they will have 2 of the remaining games home while the Devils only had one plus Philly has the fire-power to make a comeback. This series is still not over, the Devils must make game 5 just as important to them as it is to Philly or they could be in trouble.

Slow down there, I remember not too long ago the Devils were down to Philly 3-1 and philly was DOMINATING them only to make a miracle comeback (thx to Larry Robinson's famous outburst). Philly actually has an easier chance of coming back in this series because they will have 2 of the remaining games home while the Devils only had one plus Philly has the fire-power to make a comeback. This series is still not over, the Devils must make game 5 just as important to them as it is to Philly or they could be in trouble.
- Gambi99

Flyers came back from 0-3 just a few playoffs ago as well. I never feel safe until the final game won. Its hockey. Anything can happen.

The Devils just need to play their game and keep plugging away along the boards. Its been said a million times, but the best defense against this Flyers team is to not play defense against them. Take the game to them and keep the cycle down low in their own end. Any rush by any number of Flyers could result in a goal. Devils cannot get comfortable.

Flyers came back from 0-3 just a few playoffs ago as well. I never feel safe until the final game won. Its hockey. Anything can happen.

The Devils just need to play their game and keep plugging away along the boards. Its been said a million times, but the best defense against this Flyers team is to not play defense against them. Take the game to them and keep the cycle down low in their own end. Any rush by any number of Flyers could result in a goal. Devils cannot get comfortable.
- ElvisLemieux

Statistically improbable though. They've done it once.

Statistically improbable though. They've done it once.
- Pomegrant

I agree. I'm just saying. There's more a player core there for the Flyers with that stat than by those people putting up the 9-0 when leading 3-1 in a series for the Devils. I just don't want the Devils to get complacent or the fans to get arrogant.

The devils are just delaying the inevitable. We are doomed.

The devils are just delaying the inevitable. We are doomed.
- shvingter88

That's what I'm talking about.

I agree. I'm just saying. There's more a player core there for the Flyers with that stat than by those people putting up the 9-0 when leading 3-1 in a series for the Devils. I just don't want the Devils to get complacent or the fans to get arrogant.
- ElvisLemieux

Totally agree, dude. We lose when we don't play hard. Prime example almost getting eliminated by Florida.

and the beat goes on

Totally agree, dude. We lose when we don't play hard. Prime example almost getting eliminated by Florida.
- Pomegrant

simple fact: if the devils stick to their game, play hard and play 60 minutes they will got through to the next round (maybe in 5 or maybe in 6).

If they continue that play then they could go even deeper through the next round too