Todd Cordell: Five takeaways from the Devils' overtime victory vs the Lightning

Hischier is going to be really good like you said Todd once he gets one they will come in bunches you could see he was frustrated after not scoring last night, I know it’s only been 6 games but this devils team doesn’t show any signs of slowing down the Defense definitely needs some work but the offense seems to be taking some pressure off them if Hischier and Zacha can get going the devils will continue to surprise this season

Todd Cordell: Five takeaways from the Devils' overtime victory vs the Lightning
- Todd.Cordell

I thought the Devils stole a win last night. Let's be honest, Budaj gave us at least two gift goals, maybe three. The Devils turned over the puck countless times, a few right in front of their own net, but weren't burned by it.

I thought Mueller was really bad again. He doesn't look comfortable at all out there and Hynes' attempt to move him around with different partners isn't making Mueller any better.

Realizing it's early, but Hall's game seems really predictable. He continues to try cross ice passes through two opponents on the PP, and seems to try and do too much in the neutral zone. I don't know if it's pressing or what, but he doesn't look "dynamic" but instead looks reckless at times.

Santini and Butcher were great last night and have easily been the most consistent d-men on this team.

Wow this team keeps impressing. Games like this would have been a loss for sure the last few years. Nico looked awesome, if it wasn't for a couple of great saves by Budaj he would've scored. Zacha did play well but that turnover in our own zone late in the third could've been costly. Butcher plays like he's been in the league for ten years; very impressive. Cory was a beast yet again!

Great write up Todd.

Nice to see Nico bounce back after the rough game vs. the Rangers.

Butcher and Hischier are gonna make Stafford a nice trade chip if this keeps up. They've been giving him some great feeds but Drew has shown some good hands and a nice finish.

Great write up Todd.

Nice to see Nico bounce back after the rough game vs. the Rangers.

Butcher and Hischier are gonna make Stafford a nice trade chip if this keeps up. They've been giving him some great feeds but Drew has shown some good hands and a nice finish.
- Queenie_5_hole

Bust and signals a bad team, cause if the Devils and Hishcier were good they would have put a 5+ spot on the Rangers.

Great write up Todd.

Nice to see Nico bounce back after the rough game vs. the Rangers.

Butcher and Hischier are gonna make Stafford a nice trade chip if this keeps up. They've been giving him some great feeds but Drew has shown some good hands and a nice finish.
- Queenie_5_hole

If this keeps up they might not be trading anyone at the deadline but it’s way to early to tell but I agree he could be flipped for a 2nd if he continues to impress

I thought the Devils stole a win last night. Let's be honest, Budaj gave us at least two gift goals, maybe three. The Devils turned over the puck countless times, a few right in front of their own net, but weren't burned by it.

I thought Mueller was really bad again. He doesn't look comfortable at all out there and Hynes' attempt to move him around with different partners isn't making Mueller any better.

Realizing it's early, but Hall's game seems really predictable. He continues to try cross ice passes through two opponents on the PP, and seems to try and do too much in the neutral zone. I don't know if it's pressing or what, but he doesn't look "dynamic" but instead looks reckless at times.

Santini and Butcher were great last night and have easily been the most consistent d-men on this team.
- jersey1414

Yes they stole a win but it was against one of the if not the best team in the league which IMO is very impressive the devils of last season would have lost that game 6-0 because we used to make back up goalies look like Hall of Famers

I thought the Devils stole a win last night. Let's be honest, Budaj gave us at least two gift goals, maybe three.
- jersey1414

The team has remarkably faced backups vs. the Avs, Sabers, Rangers and Lightning. Nice gift from the hockey gods.

Winter Classic Buffalo vs the Rangers. Shaping up to be a real doozy

I thought the Devils stole a win last night. Let's be honest, Budaj gave us at least two gift goals, maybe three. The Devils turned over the puck countless times, a few right in front of their own net, but weren't burned by it.

I thought Mueller was really bad again. He doesn't look comfortable at all out there and Hynes' attempt to move him around with different partners isn't making Mueller any better.

Realizing it's early, but Hall's game seems really predictable. He continues to try cross ice passes through two opponents on the PP, and seems to try and do too much in the neutral zone. I don't know if it's pressing or what, but he doesn't look "dynamic" but instead looks reckless at times.

Santini and Butcher were great last night and have easily been the most consistent d-men on this team.
- jersey1414

half of what Hall does makes no sense to me. the other half does. The skating really fast here and there, making a play here and there, occasionally getting off a good shot.. I expect more from a #1 forward. He's not a dominant guy. Has decent handles, but where's he going with the puck half the time is beyond me. I'm not convinced he sees the ice as well as some other top forwards.
BUT>>>>....he's only making 6mil, so we can't complain with that in mind.

Zacha needs to think shot first going forward...big part of the tying goal was the D that got hurt blocking his high velocity wrister

half of what Hall does makes no sense to me. the other half does. The skating really fast here and there, making a play here and there, occasionally getting off a good shot.. I expect more from a #1 forward. He's not a dominant guy. Has decent handles, but where's he going with the puck half the time is beyond me. I'm not convinced he sees the ice as well as some other top forwards.
BUT>>>>....he's only making 6mil, so we can't complain with that in mind.
- MartysBetter88

Constantly being able to skate the puck into the offensive zone, consistently creating scoring chances he sees the ice very well I have no problems with Halls game

As a result, John Hynes made an on the fly change and used Steve Santini vs Stamkos a lot in the latter half, and it worked. In almost seven head-to-head minutes, the Devils outshot the Lightning 7-0 and allowed just one scoring chance. You can't do any better than that.

Santini had a great game yesterday against those high-flying Lightning. He's starting become a very good shutdown defenseman. His positioning has gotten a lot better and always plays the body.

Mueller was awful, never uses his body at all (not sure if it would matter since he seems weak) and just always blindly throws it to his partner...do not see the same guy in preseason who was escaping pressure easily, using his speed, and making solid passes up the ice

half of what Hall does makes no sense to me. the other half does. The skating really fast here and there, making a play here and there, occasionally getting off a good shot.. I expect more from a #1 forward. He's not a dominant guy. Has decent handles, but where's he going with the puck half the time is beyond me. I'm not convinced he sees the ice as well as some other top forwards.
BUT>>>>....he's only making 6mil, so we can't complain with that in mind.
- MartysBetter88

Hall's penalty shot was a great sample of Hallism. Nice dazzling quick hand and obvious skill but really no idea how the (frank) that was suppose to work... and didn't.

My hope is playing with someone like Nico will give him some help and opportunities where he has to do less and ends up accomplishing more.

Yes they stole a win but it was against one of the if not the best team in the league which IMO is very impressive the devils of last season would have lost that game 6-0 because we used to make back up goalies look like Hall of Famers
- Devils314

Oh absolutely. I'm not knocking them for stealing it, just saying if you didn't watch the game you might not know the full story. But yeah, teams of old would have been blown out.

Hall's penalty shot was a great sample of Hallism. Nice dazzling quick hand and obvious skill but really no idea how the (frank) that was suppose to work... and didn't.

My hope is playing with someone like Nico will give him some help and opportunities where he has to do less and ends up accomplishing more.
- Queenie_5_hole

Yeah, that's a good and timely example. Last year with very little around him I could see the potential to try and do too much. And while he's extremely talented, and well paid, he just needs to be a piece (albeit a larger one) of the puzzle here rather than do it all himself. Still very early, but he just boggles my mind sometimes.

Mueller was awful, never uses his body at all (not sure if it would matter since he seems weak) and just always blindly throws it to his partner...do not see the same guy in preseason who was escaping pressure easily, using his speed, and making solid passes up the ice
- Senor_Elias

Ya in a season that has started with so many positives, I feel the same. He looked solid pre-season, and has faltered greatly. Only 6 games deep so hopefully he gets things going again.

Constantly being able to skate the puck into the offensive zone, consistently creating scoring chances he sees the ice very well I have no problems with Halls game
- Devils314

Agreed. The kid is definitely one of the more underrated stars in the league. G/60 is first since he entered the league I believe. He is a one-man break out and possesses the puck very well, rarely turning it over. His pass last night to Hischier was insane. I get that he isn't the flashiest, nor does he drop cross ice saucers, but he is one of the best in the game at generating chances.

Agreed. The kid is definitely one of the more underrated stars in the league. G/60 is first since he entered the league I believe. He is a one-man break out and possesses the puck very well, rarely turning it over. His pass last night to Hischier was insane. I get that he isn't the flashiest, nor does he drop cross ice saucers, but he is one of the best in the game at generating chances.
- bikeguy99

yes, he made a great pass to Hischier. We should be seeing several great passes and several scoring opportunities from a top line forward on a gamely basis. He doesn't turn it over if it's on his stick, but he's turned it over many times making a ding dong pass. He's average at best defensively, and for whatever scoring chances he gets.. he doesn't bury a whole lot of them. I just want more. Maybe we'll get more. still waiting.

Santini and Butcher would have to play about 40 minutes a game in order for the team to keep up this great start. None of the other 4 D men are playing well. The Devils will have to make some decisions.....are they or are they not contenders. The youth movement has surely made the offense more potent and they are able to "steal" a few games....but in order to maintain they will need to get some help on D. I am not sure that Severson had a "bad" game as much as the Bolts exposed the fact that he just isn't as good as everyone thinks he is. Greene is becoming a liability and, well Moore is Moore and Müller may be legit but he is surely a work in progress.
If they decide that they are contenders for the playoffs, it may be time to deviate a bit on the game plan and look for some experienced help.

zacha for vatanan

Santini and Butcher would have to play about 40 minutes a game in order for the team to keep up this great start. None of the other 4 D men are playing well. The Devils will have to make some decisions.....are they or are they not contenders. The youth movement has surely made the offense more potent and they are able to "steal" a few games....but in order to maintain they will need to get some help on D. I am not sure that Severson had a "bad" game as much as the Bolts exposed the fact that he just isn't as good as everyone thinks he is. Greene is becoming a liability and, well Moore is Moore and Müller may be legit but he is surely a work in progress.
If they decide that they are contenders for the playoffs, it may be time to deviate a bit on the game plan and look for some experienced help.
- devs23jp

Absolutly not this is a development year nothing else if you’ve learned anything from Shero you would know he isn’t going to do that he will let th season play out and make a move or two in the offseason we finally have some quality forward prospects that are expendable so i expect Shero To either make a free agent signing for a D man and possibly a trade in the offseason

zacha for vatanan
- cu45161

No Zacha is a key piece of our team moving forward no reason to jump the gun and start trading players and prospects for god sake if it wasn’t for Shero pulling off all these genius trades and signings we would be rebuilding for another 2-3 years just remain patient and let things fall into place