Todd Cordell: New Jersey Devils blow 3-0 lead to Florida Panthers, lose 4-3

The Devils certainly have the veteran leadership to refocus for game 4. If they only score 2 goals in the first 6 minutes they will be fine. The 3rd goal apparently wakes up the other team in this series.

I don't know what's wrong with Anton Volchenkov and his game right now, but he better fix it quick. After three games he has been on the ice for nine goals against. Florida has only scored 10. To make things sound even worse, the goal Volchenkov was not out for was the empty net goal by Tomas Fleischmann, meaning every goal that had significant impact on the game Volchenkov was out for. Volchenkov has played less than 40 minutes in three games, so Florida is really taking advantage of him when he's out there.

Todd Cordell

Todd Cordell: New Jersey Devils blow 3-0 lead to Florida Panthers, lose 4-3
- Todd.Cordell

i disagree, the penalty kill is (frank)ing horrendous

If Marty is playing tomorrow, I expect him to have a Patrick Roy mentality, meaning he lets nothing or almost nothing get by him, especially after being pulled in game 3.

Here's Hoping!

i disagree, the penalty kill is (frank)ing horrendous
- dmarsden2988

Fair enough. You're entitled to your own opinion.

Fair enough. You're entitled to your own opinion.
- Todd.Cordell

when the other team is over 50% on the PP there really is no excuse other than the PK not doing their job, its not like brodeur gave up 6 weak powerplay goals, they haven't made any adjustments to the pk and florida is burning them on it

when the other team is over 50% on the PP there really is no excuse other than the PK not doing their job, its not like brodeur gave up 6 weak powerplay goals, they haven't made any adjustments to the pk and florida is burning them on it
- dmarsden2988

Brodeur has given up a few weak one's. Had he not, the percentage would be significantly better.

Gionta was by far our best player last night.

when the other team is over 50% on the PP there really is no excuse other than the PK not doing their job, its not like brodeur gave up 6 weak powerplay goals, they haven't made any adjustments to the pk and florida is burning them on it
- dmarsden2988

One goal hit off Goc right to Weiss.
One goal was a save by Brodeur right to Weiss again.
One goal was a play where Bergenheim roofed it coming into the zone.
One was a point shot, no deflection.
One was a guy walking it down to the bottom of the circle.
One was a couple of whacks in front.

The bounce of Goc, nothing you can do, especially on a 5-on-3. Weiss' first goal in the second game, was a rebound right to Weiss with an open net. Not much you can do accept Marty doing better with rebound control, doesn't help that Salvador/Volchenkov were falling over each other either. The Bergenheim goal should've been saved by Marty, at least from where Bergenheim shot it. The goal to end the first period of last game, should've been saved by Marty, it was a shot from the point. The only goal against Hedberg might've given Campbell too much time, but the goalies have made that save just about every time in the regular season when we were on the PK. The first goal was Volchenkov slow to react.

It's not so much about the PK, but rather about getting unlucky. The point is, we are giving them the shot at the point, but the repercussions of that are killing us because the goalies aren't make the save either without a rebound or at all. The PK defenses go hand-and-hand with Brodeur's struggles on them.

Wait, they blew the lead? I shut it off at 7:30 and haven't been online since.

This is how we can really see if the devils are for real, if they come back tomorrow and respond to game 3 and the raucous pru center, they should win; if they do not then florida will deserve to win. Everything rides on tomorrow ladys and gents

One goal hit off Goc right to Weiss.
One goal was a save by Brodeur right to Weiss again.
One goal was a play where Bergenheim roofed it coming into the zone.
One was a point shot, no deflection.
One was a guy walking it down to the bottom of the circle.
One was a couple of whacks in front.

The bounce of Goc, nothing you can do, especially on a 5-on-3. Weiss' first goal in the second game, was a rebound right to Weiss with an open net. Not much you can do accept Marty doing better with rebound control, doesn't help that Salvador/Volchenkov were falling over each other either. The Bergenheim goal should've been saved by Marty, at least from where Bergenheim shot it. The goal to end the first period of last game, should've been saved by Marty, it was a shot from the point. The only goal against Hedberg might've given Campbell too much time, but the goalies have made that save just about every time in the regular season when we were on the PK. The first goal was Volchenkov slow to react.

It's not so much about the PK, but rather about getting unlucky. The point is, we are giving them the shot at the point, but the repercussions of that are killing us because the goalies aren't make the save either without a rebound or at all. The PK defenses go hand-and-hand with Brodeur's struggles on them.
- _Zippy_

Good synopsis on the goals. The Panthers are just taking what the Devils are choosing to allow instead of forcing what they are defending against. Pair that with opportunistic pouncing on rebounds and you have it in a nutshell. Honestly the Panthers do better when it is simple and the Devils game plan against our PP is promoting simple.

The bounces will cease and the percentages will head back to the norm. The Panthers need to generate more pressure 5 on 5 to have a real chance while limiting the Devils. No one can expect the PP to continue at this conversion rate.

Disagree with "captain" Zach about the PK. There's no way he can be serious? Now is the time we see if he is fit to wear a C or not. And I think giving it to him was a mistake. Where's Marty's accountability? Seriously, I get that the guy is a HOF'er, but he let in two weak ass goals last night. What a delusional egomaniacal blowhard.


Someone needs to slap some sense into this lawnchair of a team. What a bunch of gutless, spineless cowards. Only a group with no heart does what they've done for 2 games in this series. And really, why are we surprised?

They havent played 60 minutes all (frank)ing year.
Not once.

And yet they've apparently had no remedy.

I think Zach is turning into Langenbaby 2.0 he's delusional if he thinks the PK played well. Every penalty turned into a goal for (frank)s sake. No way he was sober.

I'll be completely honest, as far as Captains go: Callahan> Parise

Parise doesnt even go down like a man to block a shot for his weak ass goalie.

This team has some serious character issues if they don't win this series. Plain and simple. Too many soft ass players, no one on this team who can clear a crease, they're just soft. All of them. And the playoffs expose the soft teams...just like it has done to NJ since the lockout. Pathetic.

Good synopsis on the goals. The Panthers are just taking what the Devils are choosing to allow instead of forcing what they are defending against. Pair that with opportunistic pouncing on rebounds and you have it in a nutshell. Honestly the Panthers do better when it is simple and the Devils game plan against our PP is promoting simple.

The bounces will cease and the percentages will head back to the norm. The Panthers need to generate more pressure 5 on 5 to have a real chance while limiting the Devils. No one can expect the PP to continue at this conversion rate.
- Rat-a-Holic

Hit the nail on the head here, the exact thing the Devils aren't doing on their PP and it's kind of annoying to watch, as we try to force the same plays when they are not there. Quite frankly, without Florida's PP, this isn't a series at all, and that's probably the most irritating part.

Disagree with "captain" Zach about the PK. There's no way he can be serious? Now is the time we see if he is fit to wear a C or not. And I think giving it to him was a mistake. Where's Marty's accountability? Seriously, I get that the guy is a HOF'er, but he let in two weak ass goals last night. What a delusional egomaniacal blowhard.


Someone needs to slap some sense into this lawnchair of a team. What a bunch of gutless, spineless cowards. Only a group with no heart does what they've done for 2 games in this series. And really, why are we surprised?

They havent played 60 minutes all (frank)ing year.
Not once.

And yet they've apparently had no remedy.

I think Zach is turning into Langenbaby 2.0 he's delusional if he thinks the PK played well. Every penalty turned into a goal for (frank)s sake. No way he was sober.

I'll be completely honest, as far as Captains go: Callahan> Parise

Parise doesnt even go down like a man to block a shot for his weak ass goalie.

This team has some serious character issues if they don't win this series. Plain and simple. Too many soft ass players, no one on this team who can clear a crease, they're just soft. All of them. And the playoffs expose the soft teams...just like it has done to NJ since the lockout. Pathetic.
- FLdevilsFAN

If I recall correctly, it was after the second game that he said those quotes about the PK. During that game, the only three PK goals we allowed were two rebounds to Weiss and Fleischmann bringing the puck to the net and cashing it in. One was a bad play by Volchenkov and the other two, one off of a screen, were just simply bad breaks that any PK can get. At that time, his quotes were viable, and even now, the PK isn't as bad as it seems. Look at my synopsis above on the 6 goals allowed. It's sad to allow six goals, and it shouldn't happen but when you review the goals, they were either goals that should have been saved, unlucky plays, or giving a guy too much room, which Volchenkov did on Fleischmann's goal.

Anton has to be playing hurt....this play from him just is wtf!?a

Did anyone on here get really pissed off when Kovy glided down the ice to get the puck on the icing call with about a minute left? And how can Parise actually believe they didn't stop playing/take their foot off the gas when they were up 3-0. REALLY? Does this team have ANY heart? With Zidlicky, Bernier, and Gionta being the exception (which is even more pathetic).

Gionta was by far our best player last night.
- _Zippy_

agreed

Hit the nail on the head here, the exact thing the Devils aren't doing on their PP and it's kind of annoying to watch, as we try to force the same plays when they are not there. Quite frankly, without Florida's PP, this isn't a series at all, and that's probably the most irritating part.
- _Zippy_

While the Panthers PP has been the saving grace, saying that there would not be a series without it removes the fact that the Panthers playoff growing pains have helped contribute to the Devils blitzes in every game. For as good as the Devils have looked on their highs it takes two to tango and Panther inexperience has shown in every game.

The Panthers are learning about playoff hockey every game. If the Panthers were an experienced playoff team (i.e. consistently playing post season games as a franchise) there is no way that these blitz tactics would be as effective IMO.

In the regular season the games were split 2-2 so while the individual talent level is higher with the Devils it is not so large a difference that the Panthers would not have a chance in the series.

Anton has to be playing hurt....this play from him just is wtf!?a
- NickA

The problem is him and the Elias line against their top line, which is insane because all three of those players are faster than everyone else on the ice, and when Campbell is out there that's a fourth. The forwards are caught behind the play and allowing the panthers too much speed through the neutral zone. Then they go up against Atrain at full speed and he can't handle it. Not saying he can't play better, but if we use him and the top line in more favorable situations it will go a long way. I say put Greene and Fayne up against the top line. Versteeg-Weiss-Fleishmann are all fast, but none are physical so we really just need to match their speed.

While the Panthers PP has been the saving grace, saying that there would not be a series without it removes the fact that the Panthers playoff growing pains have helped contribute to the Devils blitzes in every game. For as good as the Devils have looked on their highs it takes two to tango and Panther inexperience has shown in every game.

The Panthers are learning about playoff hockey every game. If the Panthers were an experienced playoff team (i.e. consistently playing post season games as a franchise) there is no way that these blitz tactics would be as effective IMO.

In the regular season the games were split 2-2 so while the individual talent level is higher with the Devils it is not so large a difference that the Panthers would not have a chance in the series.
- Rat-a-Holic

The blitz tactics is just our system when we are playing focused and playing like we want to win. UNfortunately, this team has only put forth about 20 minutes of this.

Are u kidding me? I have never seen such terrible work on the pk. To say it is not bad is a joke.

If I recall correctly, it was after the second game that he said those quotes about the PK. During that game, the only three PK goals we allowed were two rebounds to Weiss and Fleischmann bringing the puck to the net and cashing it in. One was a bad play by Volchenkov and the other two, one off of a screen, were just simply bad breaks that any PK can get. At that time, his quotes were viable, and even now, the PK isn't as bad as it seems. Look at my synopsis above on the 6 goals allowed. It's sad to allow six goals, and it shouldn't happen but when you review the goals, they were either goals that should have been saved, unlucky plays, or giving a guy too much room, which Volchenkov did on Fleischmann's goal.
- _Zippy_

I agree, a lot of the PK goals were simply bad breaks. While they haven't played good, its certainly not as bad as the statistics would say. We should have been able to overcome it either way.

whatever the problem is it needs to be adressed and they havent changed much of anything so its clearly not being adjusted or even treated like its of any importance are the dev's just stubborn and feel they can win by only playing 20 minutes cause its not working nor will it its like they wanna get through to the next round by using as little effort or energy are they afraid to get hurt do they feel if they try to hard in round one they wont have anything left to battle a rangers/flyers/boston teams in the next rounds i dont know but they need to change something realize they did pull marty but you gotta do more