Todd Cordell: Five keys to success for the Devils vs the Lightning

Why do I have a sinking feeling that Bratt will sit to start the series and Stafford will be in?

Why do I have a sinking feeling that Bratt will sit to start the series and Stafford will be in?
- smellmyfinger

Soft small perimeter player narrative most likely. Need veteran gritz for the yoffs

Hynes doesn't get that Moore is the issue with the second pair. I want him gone just so Hynes can't overuse him any more.

I hope to see

Hall-Nico-Palms
Wood-Zacha-Maroon
Coleman-Zajac-Noesen
Bratt-Boyle-Gibbons

Greene - Vatanen
Moore - Severson
Butcher - Mueller

Kinkaid

Why do I have a sinking feeling that Bratt will sit to start the series and Stafford will be in?
- smellmyfinger

Unless somebody just got injured I don't see why Stafford would be in.

I'm assuming the game one starting lines will be

Hall-Nico-Palms
Wood-Zacha-Maroon
Coleman-Zajac-Noeson
Grabner-Boyle-Gibbons

(might have gotten some of the wings, left / right wise, mixed up)

With Bratt, Mojo, Stafford, and Hayes as the scratches until Mojo is good to go. Then I assume Gibbons or maybe even Grabner would come out for Mojo, and Bratt would be the first one in if there is an injury or Hynes wants to change the lineup up.

Why do I have a sinking feeling that Bratt will sit to start the series and Stafford will be in?
- smellmyfinger

The thing with Bratt is that Hynes has no confidence in him and Bratt has that stuck in his head. The kid is only 19 and shows skill, but gets stuck with guys like Stafford and Boyle on his line. He's a player that needs other skilled players around him to get the chances. Once he gets the confidence back, the points will start coming.

I hope to see

Hall-Nico-Palms
Wood-Zacha-Maroon
Coleman-Zajac-Noesen
Bratt-Boyle-Gibbons

Greene - Vatanen
Moore - Severson
Butcher - Mueller

Kinkaid
- TRDevil

Zajac line against Stamkos line plus depth scoring will play a huge role in this series. If guys like Wood and Noesen can get going early then we have a strong chance every game.

Unless somebody just got injured I don't see why Stafford would be in.

I'm assuming the game one starting lines will be

Hall-Nico-Palms
Wood-Zacha-Maroon
Coleman-Zajac-Noeson
Grabner-Boyle-Gibbons

(might have gotten some of the wings, left / right wise, mixed up)

With Bratt, Mojo, Stafford, and Hayes as the scratches until Mojo is good to go. Then I assume Gibbons or maybe even Grabner would come out for Mojo, and Bratt would be the first one in if there is an injury or Hynes wants to change the lineup up.
- MannySilvers

At this point I would agree that Grabner is a stronger option than Bratt there.

I hope the playoff atmosphere gets Grabner going. We all agree he has really underperformed, but the other side to that is if he finds his groove he could really give us some "sudden found" depth we didnt have. Mojo also. If Grabs shows up and Mojo suddenly 'appears' we could find another gear here in the playoffs.

I haven't seen one person on any hockey blog anywhere say we should bring Grabner back. I would love for him to come into the playoffs and change our minds.

Can't wait for Thursday, LET'S GO DEVILS!! 👿👿👿

whats the deal with Stamkos?

Not that it matters but it's crazy that Florida ultimately did end their year with five straight wins. If we lost that Leafs game we would be out. Nuts.

whats the deal with Stamkos?
- Senor_Elias

He practiced today. Looks like he'll be ready to go for the series opener.

whats the deal with Stamkos?
- Senor_Elias

He’s fine they were just being overly caustious with him expect him to be in the lineup game 1, I’m more concerned with Mojo it looked like he was ready to return a few weeks ago and since then we haven’t heard anything? Wonder if he suffered a set back I know he hasn’t been cleared to play yet but was cleared for contact in practice

So game four will be shown on The Golf Channel

I think we may surprise them if we come out of the gate running. Its obviously best of 7 but if we can pull out a win in the first game a loss in the second and bring it home 1-1 we might have a chance.

So game four will be shown on The Golf Channel
- FAZOOL

I could be wrong but I think every round one game will also be on MSG+ with Steve and Dano, maybe with the exception of game 2 if it's actually on regular NBC.

I could be wrong but I think every round one game will also be on MSG+ with Steve and Dano, maybe with the exception of game 2 if it's actually on regular NBC.
- MannySilvers

doesn't look like it: https://www.nhl.com/news/...c-280159064?tid=287339198

Looks like game one can only be watched on NHL Network in the US which is utter garbage.

It is. Last time I watched a game on that network, it wasn't available in HD. What year is it????

Why do I have a sinking feeling that Bratt will sit to start the series and Stafford will be in?
- smellmyfinger

Bratt has been every bit as disappointing as stafford the latter half of this season. At least staff is strong on the stick. I get what you are saying, but Bratt needs to bring alot more to the table for playoffs. Our only chance is to SKATE SKATE SKATE. If we slow down and attempt any strategy aside from that, we will be out-gunned. Skate like you have been doing all season boys!

It is. Last time I watched a game on that network, it wasn't available in HD. What year is it????
- bikeguy99

NHL-N is awful. Often have disputes with cable companies so a lot of people can't get the channel. I also don't live in NJ area any more so if a game in on NHL-N I can't stream it through nhl.tv.

On MSG's website at the top it says:

DEVILS PLAYOFFS:
Coverage of Devils-Lightning Game 1 Begins Thursday at 6:30 PM on MSG, MSG+ & MSG GO.

So that makes me think they'll have it.

NHL-N is awful. Often have disputes with cable companies so a lot of people can't get the channel. I also don't live in NJ area any more so if a game in on NHL-N I can't stream it through nhl.tv.
- Pomegrant

I have Fios and didn't have NHL-N for awhile (as I knew going into getting my package) and then at some point inexplicably started getting it.

On MSG's website at the top it says:

DEVILS PLAYOFFS:
Coverage of Devils-Lightning Game 1 Begins Thursday at 6:30 PM on MSG, MSG+ & MSG GO.

So that makes me think they'll have it.
- MannySilvers

Maybe they're just showing the pre game coverage?
I thought NBC had exclusive rights but i could be wrong.

On MSG's website at the top it says:

DEVILS PLAYOFFS:
Coverage of Devils-Lightning Game 1 Begins Thursday at 6:30 PM on MSG, MSG+ & MSG GO.

So that makes me think they'll have it.
- MannySilvers

Yes MSG has said they have round 1 coverage.

Golf channel, NHL Network, etc. is for national audience.

Bratt has been every bit as disappointing as stafford the latter half of this season. At least staff is strong on the stick. I get what you are saying, but Bratt needs to bring alot more to the table for playoffs. Our only chance is to SKATE SKATE SKATE. If we slow down and attempt any strategy aside from that, we will be out-gunned. Skate like you have been doing all season boys!
- bikeguy99

Al I know is if everyones healthy and I see Stafford or Lovejoy on the ice I'm going to riot.