Todd Cordell: G30 New Jersey Devils vs Los Angeles Kings: What to watch for

I feel like this game is like the first CBJ game after the Arizona loss. It'll either be a bloodbath or it'll be a big bounce back game for the team.

Johansson confirmed to be injured?

That second line is absolutely horrendous.

Now watch Gibby score a hatty.

@Wildshwein - That second line is absolutely horrendous.

Now watch Gibby score a hatty.

Not all of us can tank for years on end and continually get the top draft picks. And then still suck

@Wildshwein - That second line is absolutely horrendous.

Now watch Gibby score a hatty.

Not all of us can tank for years on end and continually get the top draft picks. And then still suck
- Crushers68

How did my post in any way offend you sir? Is it your opinion that the second line is anything other than horrendous?

To be clear, I want the Devils to win this game. In fact, unless they’re playing the Oilers, I want them to win every game. But I won’t allow this fact to hinder me from questioning the makeup of the lines.

That second line is absolutely horrendous.

Now watch Gibby score a hatty.
- Wildschwein

I'm with you, I thought it was a funny comment I would absolutely lose my mind in happiness if Gibby potted a hat

Kempe is out sick and Clifford is returning from injury, so the bottom two lines will be:

Gaborik-Mitchell-Lewis
Clifford-Jokinen-Brodzinski

I'm with you, I thought it was a funny comment I would absolutely lose my mind in happiness if Gibby potted a hat
- SteveJ123

Thanks. I thought I was being lighthearted.

Anyway what concerns me most is the lack of speed on the 2nd line. Gibbons is okay I guess, but Zajac hasn’t been himself and Hayes is anything but quick. If they go head to head with the Kings 2nd line (their fastest), I foresee serious issues. Personally I’d rather have either Wood or Gibbons playing their off wing and going with say Wood-Zajac-Gibbons as the 2nd. Not ideal but with Palmieri and Marcus out there really isn’t much more that can be done.

Thanks. I thought I was being lighthearted.

Anyway what concerns me most is the lack of speed on the 2nd line. Gibbons is okay I guess, but Zajac hasn’t been himself and Hayes is anything but quick. If they go head to head with the Kings 2nd line (their fastest), I foresee serious issues. Personally I’d rather have either Wood or Gibbons playing their off wing and going with say Wood-Zajac-Gibbons as the 2nd. Not ideal but with Palmieri and Marcus out there really isn’t much more that can be done.
- Wildschwein

Agreed. Gibby is actually pretty fast due to his work ethic and hustle (but clearly not a 2nd liner, but for what he has going this year so be it for tonight), but the other two my god its a toss up between who's slower and it won't be pretty.

That has always been the biggest knock on Hynes for me. His line combos are usually easily questionable and then he moves them around constantly throughout the game and definitely throughout each week so nobody gets going together. Just seems like nobody knows who they're playing with when they're out there unless its the top line.

Agreed. Gibby is actually pretty fast due to his work ethic and hustle (but clearly not a 2nd liner, but for what he has going this year so be it for tonight), but the other two my god its a toss up between who's slower and it won't be pretty.

That has always been the biggest knock on Hynes for me. His line combos are usually easily questionable and then he moves them around constantly throughout the game and definitely throughout each week so nobody gets going together. Just seems like nobody knows who they're playing with when they're out there unless its the top line.
- SteveJ123

I noticed that as well, but in fairness the constant injuries to the right side probably requires a poopload of tinkering. Sure would be nice to see a healthy top 6 for more than 4 games in a (frank)ing row.

I noticed that as well, but in fairness the constant injuries to the right side probably requires a poopload of tinkering. Sure would be nice to see a healthy top 6 for more than 4 games in a (frank)ing row.
- Wildschwein

Fair enough. It's been happening since he came here, but to be fair again this is the first "quality" team he's had and they've been hurt on and off with almost zero games all healthy together. Seems like MoJo should only miss tonight and hopefully Palms will be back by Friday/Monday. Would be nice to get them all together and see what it looks like.

Our PP is definitely taking a hit without Palms, he's basically the only guy on the team who has a shot worth consistently worrying about for the PKers. Seems like when he's out there a lot more holes open up since players really want to clog his lane as opposed to Halls or Bratts

Fair enough. It's been happening since he came here, but to be fair again this is the first "quality" team he's had and they've been hurt on and off with almost zero games all healthy together. Seems like MoJo should only miss tonight and hopefully Palms will be back by Friday/Monday. Would be nice to get them all together and see what it looks like.

Our PP is definitely taking a hit without Palms, he's basically the only guy on the team who has a shot worth consistently worrying about for the PKers. Seems like when he's out there a lot more holes open up since players really want to clog his lane as opposed to Halls or Bratts
- SteveJ123

That soon?! I thought he was out for another week. Good, good news. I can't wait to see Palmieri AND Vatanen on the same PP unit. If those two click it will be a beautiful thing.

Hopefully the Oil do the Devils a solid and smite the Jackets tonight. For whatever reason Bob seems to struggle a bit against the Oil.

Thanks. I thought I was being lighthearted.

Anyway what concerns me most is the lack of speed on the 2nd line. Gibbons is okay I guess, but Zajac hasn’t been himself and Hayes is anything but quick. If they go head to head with the Kings 2nd line (their fastest), I foresee serious issues. Personally I’d rather have either Wood or Gibbons playing their off wing and going with say Wood-Zajac-Gibbons as the 2nd. Not ideal but with Palmieri and Marcus out there really isn’t much more that can be done.
- Wildschwein

You're 100% correct. That 2nd line is brutal.

4-0 kings


DOOMED

Doing so will be easier said than done as they're hosting a Los Angeles Kings team that enters play having won eight consecutive games.

So they're due for a loss.
While the signing was initially good the injury prone Glass Jo does us no good not playing. We'll be lucky if we get another twenty games out of him.

So they're due for a loss.
While the signing was initially good the injury prone Glass Jo does us no good not playing. We'll be lucky if we get another twenty games out of him.
- FAZOOL

This year yes, past years not so much. Only missed 10 games in the previous 4 seasons.

Two points I find interesting:
-the Kings high-danger chances allowed on PK are odd considering we have the best PK percentage in the league, but we have been getting outstanding goaltending and have given up too many 5v5 high danger chances so I guess it makes sense
-I'm not a fan of Macdermid, think he's generally out of his element as an everyday NHL defenseman, so I'm not surprised with your numbers re: the martinez-macdermid pairing.

Looks like Kempe is out, Cliffy is in. This will probably be a physical, grinding game.

the gibbons coleman and wood line has been our second best line this year, so why would you not move that line up and zajac and hayes down ?

I wonder if ray has been talking with Ottawa after all these rumors

I wonder if ray has been talking with Ottawa after all these rumors
- shvingter88

who would you be interested in getting?

I wonder if ray has been talking with Ottawa after all these rumors
- shvingter88

Can we ship Zajac and Zacha over there?!

this game is going to be a riot to watch. we're gona get manhandled by the "big tough Kings". should be a good show. 4-2 loss.

Can we ship Zajac and Zacha over there?!
- FAZOOL

Zacha, McLeod, severson and 2 1sts should get it done.

this game is going to be a riot to watch. we're gona get manhandled by the "big tough Kings". should be a good show. 4-2 loss.
- MartysBetter88

I see we all are in the acceptance phase of being bad for the rest of the season.