Todd Cordell: Slow start, self-inflicted damage prove costly as Devils fall to Lightning

Spot on assessment. It was like they were tripping over their laces the first 14 minutes of the game. I'm sure Kinkaid would of liked a couple back, but he needs some help.

At no point during the game did i feel like we we're going to win.
The good: We shut down Stamkos, and the PP looked really good.
The bad: That goal for TB at the end of the first, the one at the start of the second, and that turnover by Maroon; no bueno.
Palms needs to be better, KK looked decent he made some nice saves that kept this game from really getting out of hand.
If our speed is negated the rest of the series we're toast.

That 4th goal was the nail in the coffin. If tampa didn't score that, then the outcome may have been different.

Agree with all of Todd's points. One other that I believe. This is playoff hockey not the regular season. Bolts made Devs pay for every entry and when thwy got the puck deep. Devs seemed to shy away from physical game and rely on their speed instead. That won't work in playoffs. Need to make Bolts pay for every square inch of the ice. Otherwise they will steamroll Devs.

Todd Cordell: Slow start, self-inflicted damage prove costly as Devils fall to Lightning
- Todd.Cordell

I actually thought Lovejoy was horrendous last night. If i'm Hynes swapping Severson for him is a no-brainer. Yeah, Mueller struggled, but he's earned that spot, for now, because of his play the last two weeks. It just seemed like Lovejoy was watching everyone around him all night. I do admit, that if Lovejoy was the worst d-man last night Moore was a close second. He's just so incredibly bad in his own end.

At no point during the game did i feel like we we're going to win.
The good: We shut down Stamkos, and the PP looked really good.
The bad: That goal for TB at the end of the first, the one at the start of the second, and that turnover by Maroon; no bueno.
Palms needs to be better, KK looked decent he made some nice saves that kept this game from really getting out of hand.
If our speed is negated the rest of the series we're toast.
- FAZOOL

I actually thought Palms played really well. He was physical, was great along the boards, and had some good SOG. They just didn't go in. But I thought he was one of the better ones out there.

I actually thought Palms played really well. He was physical, was great along the boards, and had some good SOG. They just didn't go in. But I thought he was one of the better ones out there.
- jersey1414

Yeah, I thought Palmieri was fine. He created that 2nd goal with excellent board play.

at least we scored 2.. and only gave up 4. . something to build off of..

I actually thought Palms played really well. He was physical, was great along the boards, and had some good SOG. They just didn't go in. But I thought he was one of the better ones out there.
- jersey1414

Yeah was ok but he needs to be better imo if we're going to have a chance in this series, he needs to be a beast on every shift.
You guys think they'll be any changes for game two, besides the fact that we need to get Severson in the lineup?
Let's hope they don't give away vuvuzelas for game two!

Yeah was ok but he needs to be better imo if we're going to have a chance in this series, he needs to be a beast on every shift.
You guys think they'll be any changes for game two, besides the fact that we need to get Severson in the lineup?
Let's hope they don't give away vuvuzelas for game two!
- FAZOOL

Well, again, I'll respectfully disagree. I thought he was really good.

I'd like to see Bratt check-in. I realize Gibbons has PK value and what not, but he looked overmatched last night and hasn't really done much since, lol, October. At this point I don't know who else you'd be willing to take out--maybe Wood? Love what he brings energy-wise so I'm reluctant to do that.

I don't know if anyone else knew this, but we still own Kovalchuk's rights until April 15. Found out yesterday. Just saying.

Well, again, I'll respectfully disagree. I thought he was really good.

I'd like to see Bratt check-in. I realize Gibbons has PK value and what not, but he looked overmatched last night and hasn't really done much since, lol, October. At this point I don't know who else you'd be willing to take out--maybe Wood? Love what he brings energy-wise so I'm reluctant to do that.
- jersey1414

This is a high speed series. I'd like to see Bratt and Severson in there.

Not so much because we lost the game, but I think based on the style of play.
Remarkable how the Devils struggled with easy clearing attempts and inaccurate passing all night. Young team with little playoff experience. They'll be better.

After the 1st period I think the Devils realized they can win this series and let go of their early jitters. Still fee confident we'll take this series but secondary scoring will be the difference.

They got it last night and we didn't. We need to reverse that to win

Hall line was outplayed by POnt line Need to split that .

Severson in Mueller out .

Mojo ????? would Love him in but think he is out for the year.
Bratt perhaps. Gibbons not getting it done .But he soed PK

PK
Coleman - Gibbons
Grabner -Zajac
------

Hall- Nico - Mojo/ Bratt
Wood -Zacha - Maroon
Grabner -Boyle -Palmieri
COleman -Zajac - Noesen

Problem with D is Moore - Mueleer -Severson all no good n the D.

Tampa clogs the red line .

Tampa clogs the red line with their D.
We need to weave it past them or dump and make them turn their backs.

They send 2 up to forecheck while D stays on the red line . Making center ice more of our blue line than the red line .

Hynes needs to counter this .

What game were you watching ? Lovejoy wasn't close to being a problem last night .
Mueller was the worst defenceman ,wasn't even close. This is not Lovejoy of last year maybe you should watch game with your eyes open

to be so delusional to think that Lovejoy played well. what a world.

At no point during the game did i feel like we we're going to win.
The good: We shut down Stamkos, and the PP looked really good.
The bad: That goal for TB at the end of the first, the one at the start of the second, and that turnover by Maroon; no bueno.
Palms needs to be better, KK looked decent he made some nice saves that kept this game from really getting out of hand.
If our speed is negated the rest of the series we're toast.
- FAZOOL

Very disappointed in Hynes. Hischier played 15:32 TOI, which was good for 7th among forwards. It is time to quit making whatever points he is going for. Healthy scratch Bratt and Severson, and isn't Mojo cleared to play???? If we put in B level players to replace these guys, we don't stand a chance. Throw the pads on Schneids, play Hischier at least 18 minutes a night, and for the love of god scratch Lovejoy and give Severson 22 minutes minimum. We will never compete with our young talent healthied. Terrible game 1 from Hynes

It wasn't Hischier's best game either. He was partially responsible on the first two goals (although the second was mostly Mueller turning the puck over).

It wasn't Hischier's best game either. He was partially responsible on the first two goals (although the second was mostly Mueller turning the puck over).
- CaptCrankypants

It didn't seem like anyone's best game. Even when creating some good pressure the team looked like they were fighting it all night... particularly at the start of the game.

DOOMED

It didn't seem like anyone's best game. Even when creating some good pressure the team looked like they were fighting it all night... particularly at the start of the game.
- Queenie_5_hole

Sure, but he left his check to go after the puck-carrier on the first two goals. Other players definitely had rough games, but he's a guy the Devils are going to need to play better on both sides of the puck to have a shot.

I posted this on the end of last nights thread, but will post it again...

Has anyone this year seen Kinkaid make a glove save? How many times have we seen a goal wiz by him without him even flinching? The guy plays his angels and does nothing more! If the puck is lucky enough to hit him... Take this joke of a goalie out!

Sure, but he left his check to go after the puck-carrier on the first two goals. Other players definitely had rough games, but he's a guy the Devils are going to need to play better on both sides of the puck to have a shot.
- CaptCrankypants

He’s a kid who just turned 19 and is playing the NHL straight from Juniors. He’s trying. There are going to be hiccups.