Sam Hitchcock: Lightning-Devils: Prediction

Repost from another thread yesterday.

Devils in 6. We take game 1 in Tampa and all 3 at the Rock. Book it Dano (or Daneyko) The Great Cornholio has spoken!

Sam your Devil's fandom comes out in this article. You really want it to say Devils in 7, I get it that's your team.

lol jesus. I am not mad but this article is funny to me

I find it interesting how fast us lightning fans are willing to point out all the gaps in our team (which there are definitely gaps, specifically defensively/goaltending of late) yet we dont talk about the positives for our team in this match up. While we lost all 3 game to the devils in the regular season, it was on the back of monstrous performances from 3 different goalies. we averaged over 40 shots in the match-ups against the devils. if we continue to outshoot them by 10 shots per game on average i have no doubt we will win this match up. I dont think the devils should be overlooked by any means but lets give the team a little credit, while they havent looked stellar down the stretch they were down right dominant against BOS in the last match up and if they bring that game to the playoffs i like us to win against anyone in the eastern conference.

my pick is lightning in 6

the lightning are just way deeper and have too much scoring to give if primary scoring dries up.

I find it interesting how fast us lightning fans are willing to point out all the gaps in our team (which there are definitely gaps, specifically defensively/goaltending of late) yet we dont talk about the positives for our team in this match up. While we lost all 3 game to the devils in the regular season, it was on the back of monstrous performances from 3 different goalies. we averaged over 40 shots in the match-ups against the devils. if we continue to outshoot them by 10 shots per game on average i have no doubt we will win this match up. I dont think the devils should be overlooked by any means but lets give the team a little credit, while they havent looked stellar down the stretch they were down right dominant against BOS in the last match up and if they bring that game to the playoffs i like us to win against anyone in the eastern conference.
- headyhedman77

Sam is a Devil's fan, this article is written exactly how a Devil's fan sees our team's flaws to exploit them. I like Sam glad we have a Bolts blogger but call this what it is, a Devil's fans article on the team blog he writes about.

Sam is a Devil's fan, this article is written exactly how a Devil's fan sees our team's flaws to exploit them. I like Sam glad we have a Bolts blogger but call this what it is, a Devil's fans article on the team blog he writes about.

That makes complete sense because most of the posts that have come out since the match up was determined have seemed kinda slanted lol should be a good series tho. Have to believe the bolts dont underestimate that match up having not beaten them in the regular season, which is probably a good thing considering its a 1 seed vs an 8th seed.

The Lightning out shot the Devils in the regular season pretty handily, I think the Lightning will control the puck and out shoot the Devils. The Lightning's forward depth will probably be the difference. The Lightning's PK can be a huge problem and the Devil's need to take advantage. The Devil's are fast and play with structure, they will not be out of any of the games but over a seven games series the Lightning's depth should prevail. Kinkaid would have to stand on his head and post a .950 or greater save percentage for the series in my opinion to steal it for the Devils. I think its going to be a fun series regardless of who wins, I like fast pace over heavy hockey.

The Lightning out shot the Devils in the regular season pretty handily, I think the Lightning will control the puck and out shoot the Devils. The Lightning's forward depth will probably be the difference. The Lightning's PK can be a huge problem and the Devil's need to take advantage. The Devil's are fast and play with structure, they will not be out of any of the games but over a seven games series the Lightning's depth should prevail. Kinkaid would have to stand on his head and post a .950 or greater save percentage for the series in my opinion to steal it for the Devils. I think its going to be a fun series regardless of who wins, I like fast pace over heavy hockey.
- stammerman

I think the PK will improve vs the Devils, as the devils lose more faceoffs than the Lightning and this will help keep puck control away from devils and also give us a chance to get it down the ice. The lightning's depth is far too much for the devils to handle.

I find it funny how the blog says that survival is what matters in the playoffs and it does not matter how you get the wins, but then bashes the lightning while they have arguably been the best survival team this year winning in any fashion they need to regardless of giving up 6 they will score 7, or they will win 2-1 or 2-0. This is a heavily biased article favoring New Jersey which is ironic because this is a TBL blog.

I think I would be less bothered if you just turned this into a NJ blog pointing out the reasons the devils will win rather than the reasons we would lose, which seem like lame reasons to begin with. Blaming stamkos and point for losing? Seems like a stretch to me lol

The Lightning out shot the Devils in the regular season pretty handily, I think the Lightning will control the puck and out shoot the Devils. The Lightning's forward depth will probably be the difference. The Lightning's PK can be a huge problem and the Devil's need to take advantage. The Devil's are fast and play with structure, they will not be out of any of the games but over a seven games series the Lightning's depth should prevail. Kinkaid would have to stand on his head and post a .950 or greater save percentage for the series in my opinion to steal it for the Devils. I think its going to be a fun series regardless of who wins, I like fast pace over heavy hockey.
- stammerman

I have to agree with all of this except I don't see this going 7. Probably 6. Maybe 5 considering we are relying on a backup goalie with zero playoff experience. KK might have had a good month+ but he's never been very consistent or in a spot like this. Should be fun.

The Lightning out shot the Devils in the regular season pretty handily, I think the Lightning will control the puck and out shoot the Devils. The Lightning's forward depth will probably be the difference. The Lightning's PK can be a huge problem and the Devil's need to take advantage. The Devil's are fast and play with structure, they will not be out of any of the games but over a seven games series the Lightning's depth should prevail. Kinkaid would have to stand on his head and post a .950 or greater save percentage for the series in my opinion to steal it for the Devils. I think its going to be a fun series regardless of who wins, I like fast pace over heavy hockey.
- stammerman

.950 is a bit of a stretch lol. Fact of the matter is Vasy is A LOT leakier than Kinkaid since February .929 vs .897

All things equal, if both goalies play as they have been...NJ has the goaltending edge. Defensively, I haven't watched a lot of TB but know the ex-Rangers pretty well and they haven't been spectacular. Special teams will also be interesting, our PK is pretty good (leads the league in shorthanded to)...your PP is lethal, though we're only slightly behind you there - coupled with your 28th in PK - I like our odds in this department too.

Forwards, you're absolutely right...you have the clear edge. We might not put up a lot of shots but I honestly think this is going to come down to goaltending and I hope the trends stay the same. My point is I don't think this is as big of a mismatch as people think.

It's gonna be fast paced for sure and typically that'll mean all of the above goes out the window.

Go Devils!

I have to agree with all of this except I don't see this going 7. Probably 6. Maybe 5 considering we are relying on a backup goalie with zero playoff experience. KK might have had a good month+ but he's never been very consistent or in a spot like this. Should be fun.
- Queenie_5_hole

Way to make me look bad. #teamblockaid

Bolts in 5

There are a lot of variables in this series. We know what the Devils are going to bring. It all depends on what Lightning team shows up. The team that dominated in 2017 and in one game against Boston or the 2018 Bolts that left a lot to be desired.
My Prediction(s):
1. 2017 Bolts take this series in 4 games.
2. 2018 Bolts go down in the series at some point and fight back to force a game 7 that goes to OT with Sustr scoring in his own goal to win the game for the Devils.

There are a lot of variables in this series. We know what the Devils are going to bring. It all depends on what Lightning team shows up. The team that dominated in 2017 and in one game against Boston or the 2018 Bolts that left a lot to be desired.
My Prediction(s):
1. 2017 Bolts take this series in 4 games.
2. 2018 Bolts go down in the series at some point and fight back to force a game 7 that goes to OT with Sustr scoring in his own goal to win the game for the Devils.
- LightningMcKing

What is this noise you speak of...

If Sustr is on the ice in Game 7 in OT well then in Cooper I trust...

The devils have Taylor Hall who has 93 points. After that,the next best person has 52 points..you need depth scoring to win in the playoffs

Tampa bay have 6 people with 50+ points, and 6 guys with 20+ goals

so, if our D and goaltending is as leaky as you say, even though our goals against is better than yours (13th in GA, while NJ is 17th) will it really matter in this series? I have a hard time believing it will, although I know Tampa will try to play a tight defensive game, they can beat the devils even with their flaws

1) Hall will single-handedly make sure these games are close. Boy, you think Edmonton is happy with the return on that trade? Talk about charitable donations! Hall will continue to light up the scoreboard just like he did in the regular season. The key for Tampa will be to put a sticky shadow on Hall. Luckily, Tampa has several quality 2-way forwards with the speed to keep up with Hall, so while Point is the obvious choice, don't be surprised to see somebody like Johnson glued to Hall also. Hall's henchman Nico will get shadowed as well.

2) Tampa has the luxury of having two top lines - pick your poison. Tampa's second line would be the first line on many teams. The Devils may have speed to spare, but they lack offensive depth. One of Tampa's top two lines is going to roll, regardless of what line is put out to match them.

3) Tampa's 3rd and 4th lines are going to feast. Kunitz has been a pleasant surprise. He still has gas in the tank and has avoided becoming Brendan Morrow Part Two Electric Boogaloo. Tampa's bottom six is a lot deeper than Jersey's. I think Tampa's bottom six is going to pick up the slack if the Devils manage to bottle Stamkos and Kucherov.

4) Vasi is going to dominate. This is not your typical "kid" goalie. This guy is a Russian machine that eats fatigue and spits out excellence. He knows what the playoffs mean and is capable of finding of the next level. Tampa fans can have confidence in Vasi, and Domingue has proven to be an upgrade over Budaj.

5) I miss Brian Boyle. Now he gets to watch his old teammates march to a Cup. I feel bad for the guy, and that is not a knock against New Jersey.

My predictions for this series :

(assuming no new injuries to either side and Stamkos returns for the entire series).

Tampa wins in 4 or 5 games.

Vasi gets 2 shutouts and starts getting the buzz again.

Palat continues his resurgence - scores multiple goals.

Cirelli will continue to earn more ice time.

Kunitz will get a couple of greasy goals from pure hustle alone.

The refs will continue to be awful - not just for Tampa, but across the entire board.

Sustr should be stapled to the bench for the entire playoffs. The only way he is not scratched is if the rest of the defense catches Ebola.

One other note and I will STFU.

Schneider has not looked the same after the injury. If Schneider re-finds his game, this series could be longer and closer. Having Schneider as a backup if Kinkaid wilts is not a bad option.

Still can't believe we're starting Kinkaid in the playoffs with a healthy Schneider. Don't get me wrong, it's the right move with how it's all worked out down the stretch, it's just something I can't believe it happening!

Also, there is no denying that the Lightning have the forward edge, but don't be too quick to write off the Devils bottom 2 lines. Those guys are absolutely relentless and know their roles (not to say the opposite about the Lightnings bottom lines or anything because I'm sure they do too). Guys like Noesen and Coleman continue to fight for their NHL careers each and every night. They wear that on their sleeves and it's obvious. The dudes just don't stop.

Way to make me look bad. #teamblockaid
- ryant601

Seriously, I think you hit the nail on the head. If both goalies play like they have recently we are in a good shape. I'm just nervous about what we (both NJ and TB) are actually going to get from these guys.

1) Hall will single-handedly make sure these games are close. Boy, you think Edmonton is happy with the return on that trade? Talk about charitable donations! Hall will continue to light up the scoreboard just like he did in the regular season. The key for Tampa will be to put a sticky shadow on Hall. Luckily, Tampa has several quality 2-way forwards with the speed to keep up with Hall, so while Point is the obvious choice, don't be surprised to see somebody like Johnson glued to Hall also. Hall's henchman Nico will get shadowed as well.

2) Tampa has the luxury of having two top lines - pick your poison. Tampa's second line would be the first line on many teams. The Devils may have speed to spare, but they lack offensive depth. One of Tampa's top two lines is going to roll, regardless of what line is put out to match them.

3) Tampa's 3rd and 4th lines are going to feast. Kunitz has been a pleasant surprise. He still has gas in the tank and has avoided becoming Brendan Morrow Part Two Electric Boogaloo. Tampa's bottom six is a lot deeper than Jersey's. I think Tampa's bottom six is going to pick up the slack if the Devils manage to bottle Stamkos and Kucherov.

4) Vasi is going to dominate. This is not your typical "kid" goalie. This guy is a Russian machine that eats fatigue and spits out excellence. He knows what the playoffs mean and is capable of finding of the next level. Tampa fans can have confidence in Vasi, and Domingue has proven to be an upgrade over Budaj.

5) I miss Brian Boyle. Now he gets to watch his old teammates march to a Cup. I feel bad for the guy, and that is not a knock against New Jersey.

My predictions for this series :

(assuming no new injuries to either side and Stamkos returns for the entire series).

Tampa wins in 4 or 5 games.

Vasi gets 2 shutouts and starts getting the buzz again.

Palat continues his resurgence - scores multiple goals.

Cirelli will continue to earn more ice time.

Kunitz will get a couple of greasy goals from pure hustle alone.

The refs will continue to be awful - not just for Tampa, but across the entire board.
- GalacticStone

I think Hall will be shut down, every single time he jumps the boards there will be someone else jumping ours to shadow him the entire series. The devils don't have anyone else to match up against so this will be simple

Lightning in 4.

pretty sweet article.

https://www.theplayerstri...n-tampa-bay-lightning-nhl