Todd Cordell: Travis Zajac comes up huge as the Devils force Game 7 with the Panthers

Talk about a complete identity reversal from years past, the Devils have NO idea how to play with a lead anymore. When its tied or they're down, they're swarming and full of energy. With the lead, they appear nervous,and get suckered into wide open transition hockey that can't match the speed of the Panthers' forwards. Kovy looked a lot better, but its more opportunism than anything else. Clearly hurt... he flat out can't skate right now, which is pretty much essential to his game.

Anything can happen in a game 7, so we're told. Here's to hoping that the Devils can play like they do in the first period for an entire game.

i disagree with your assessment about Kovy. Parise literally willed this team to victory last night with his amazing forechecking and backchecking (and not to mention, his leadership on the bench when he screamed at them to start the 2nd period). Kovy had a good game, but he didnt skate at all and is clearly nursing an injury. I don't think i saw him stop all game, he would just curl out to prevent the need to stop. Before OT, he was out there for both florida goals and couldnt turn on his all-star caliber speed at any point in the game. If he is hurt, he played a hearty game but it wasnt by any means the best game a devil player played last night.

Well I don't have NHL Net but at least NBC Sports will join the game in progress... better than nothing I suppose

Kovy played his best game of the series so far game 6 but it was apparent that he is still nursing something that is slowing him down his groin maybe? he doesn't seem to have the explosive bursts or quick change of direction he normally has, he seemed to rely on his hockey iq to go to the net for his goal but his pass to zajac was a beaut

bernier and carter are paying dividends solid pick ups

zid has been great in all areas and hopefully he will be able to help larsson fayne and others build a offensive game and show them how to bring the puck up or pass it out of the zone, wish he was a lil younger though haha

as you said zajac has been very good this series he won't do anything flashy but he will get the job done

i just hope elias and clarkson will show up more


on to luongo, i may be in the minority but if we can get him without giving up too much (keeping parise) then we should really look into it, we are not sure how any of our prospects will do and our best goalie prospect is at least 3 years away from making an impact and lou does much better without the media crazy of Vancouver

Todd Cordell: Travis Zajac comes up huge as the Devils force Game 7 with the Panthers
- Todd.Cordell

completely agree about Zid. He has been great. Its nice to see a devils defenseman be able to hold the puck, skate with it and make tough passes even when under pressure. he does a great job and is not a liability. The best part is that we have him next year too.

I am hoping with the addition of signing Poni and hopefully having Joseffson healthy we can keep our third and 4th lines similar to how they are now next year. Could pay dividends next year

As for Kovy, Zpar and TZac. I think game 7 comes down to them. If clarkson can get on the board that would be nice too.

I dont have a lot of faith going into game 7 because we havent put together a 60 minute effort in their building yet, but if we do I know we will get through

Kovy played his best game of the series so far game 6 but it was apparent that he is still nursing something that is slowing him down his groin maybe? he doesn't seem to have the explosive bursts or quick change of direction he normally has, he seemed to rely on his hockey iq to go to the net for his goal but his pass to zajac was a beaut

bernier and carter are paying dividends solid pick ups

zid has been great in all areas and hopefully he will be able to help larsson fayne and others build a offensive game and show them how to bring the puck up or pass it out of the zone, wish he was a lil younger though haha

as you said zajac has been very good this series he won't do anything flashy but he will get the job done

i just hope elias and clarkson will show up more


on to luongo, i may be in the minority but if we can get him without giving up too much (keeping parise) then we should really look into it, we are not sure how any of our prospects will do and our best goalie prospect is at least 3 years away from making an impact and lou does much better without the media crazy of Vancouver
- dmarsden2988

Luongo is not what we need. Screws up our long term cap situation and he;s just another player that faulty once there's pressure. Luongo did fine in Vancouver. It was away from home where he was intimidated. Somehow, I don't think playing in Philly, NY and Pitt 3 times a year is going to help his confidence.

completely agree about Zid. He has been great. Its nice to see a devils defenseman be able to hold the puck, skate with it and make tough passes even when under pressure. he does a great job and is not a liability. The best part is that we have him next year too.

I am hoping with the addition of signing Poni and hopefully having Joseffson healthy we can keep our third and 4th lines similar to how they are now next year. Could pay dividends next year

As for Kovy, Zpar and TZac. I think game 7 comes down to them. If clarkson can get on the board that would be nice too.

I dont have a lot of faith going into game 7 because we havent put together a 60 minute effort in their building yet, but if we do I know we will get through
- mhowitzer

Zid has surprisingly been our most succesful guy at shutting down the panthers. He has done a nice job containing their speed and taking their space away quickly.

So at least one more game with Parise in a devil jersey.

So at least one more game with Parise in a devil jersey.
- whipper334

0 more for iggy in a flames

So at least one more game with Parise in a devil jersey.
- whipper334

He's still got 13 more wins before his last game in a Devils jersey might be played....

Only kidding, that's dreaming way too far ahead.

i disagree with your assessment about Kovy. Parise literally willed this team to victory last night with his amazing forechecking and backchecking (and not to mention, his leadership on the bench when he screamed at them to start the 2nd period). Kovy had a good game, but he didnt skate at all and is clearly nursing an injury. I don't think i saw him stop all game, he would just curl out to prevent the need to stop. Before OT, he was out there for both florida goals and couldnt turn on his all-star caliber speed at any point in the game. If he is hurt, he played a hearty game but it wasnt by any means the best game a devil player played last night.
- bbsunshine92

Parise was very good, but I can only make so many notes before people lose focus. In hindsight Kovalchuk scored and made a beautiful play to setup the winner. Nothing else matters, really. It's not like he had nine turnovers and was -3.

I don't think the Panthers played a bad game. They made two mistakes that were goals against them but otherwise kept the shots to the outside and limited the high quality chances. They capitalized on the fewer chances they did generate.

In the third period I thought they should have altered strategy and picked up the pace more and try and take a 2-2 game instead of waiting for the Devils to give it to them.

Lesson learned for tomorrow. Play to win instead of playing to not lose.

I don't think the Panthers played a bad game. They made two mistakes that were goals against them but otherwise kept the shots to the outside and limited the high quality chances. They capitalized on the fewer chances they did generate.

In the third period I thought they should have altered strategy and picked up the pace more and try and take a 2-2 game instead of waiting for the Devils to give it to them.

Lesson learned for tomorrow. Play to win instead of playing to not lose.
- Rat-a-Holic

This game was a lot like game five, except the Devils forechecked effectively and had their legs, and you see the difference. Granted the score was 2-2, but the Devils were in the Panthers zone most of the time and creating offense.

Parise was very good, but I can only make so many notes before people lose focus. In hindsight Kovalchuk scored and made a beautiful play to setup the winner. Nothing else matters, really. It's not like he had nine turnovers and was -3.
- Todd.Cordell

indeed he made a great pass to Zajac and his read on the PP goal was nice. You can see thats what the Devils worked on during practice Tuesday. Kovy didnt skate enough to get the puck in order to have 9 turnovers lol. I have no problem with how he is playing if it is in fact a groin injury, but for PDB to continue to play him 26 mins a night and have him not only out on the PK where you need the ability to start and stop on a dime, but he also has him on the point still where a bouncing puck that goes by him would be an easy breakaway or 2 on 1 for the Panthers cause he just can't backcheck right now.

Luongo is not what we need. Screws up our long term cap situation and he;s just another player that faulty once there's pressure. Luongo did fine in Vancouver. It was away from home where he was intimidated. Somehow, I don't think playing in Philly, NY and Pitt 3 times a year is going to help his confidence.
- rmdevil313

This game was a lot like game five, except the Devils forechecked effectively and had their legs, and you see the difference. Granted the score was 2-2, but the Devils were in the Panthers zone most of the time and creating offense.
- _Zippy_

The Devils zone time is exactly the reason why I thought the Panthers should have altered strategy after the 2nd period while they were tied 2-2. If the game plan is to absorb, deflect or redirect the opponent to the outside and not give up the middle then you will sacrifice outside shots and zone time by playing defense first. If the puck is always headed toward your net then it is difficult to win in the long run. Needed more aggressive attack time.

The Devils zone time is exactly the reason why I thought the Panthers should have altered strategy after the 2nd period while they were tied 2-2. If the game plan is to absorb, deflect or redirect the opponent to the outside and not give up the middle then you will sacrifice outside shots and zone time by playing defense first. If the puck is always headed toward your net then it is difficult to win in the long run. Needed more aggressive attack time.
- Rat-a-Holic

wait wait wait.. so did we play a good game? i saw bits and pieces of it.. and i thought it was meh and Kovy looked liked a nascar engine that dropped a few cylinders. or flat tires. or lost a gear. or... a bunch of guys pushing a dead car around the track.

Kovy may not be 100% but you cant question his commitment to win! When you have a guy like him drop down to block a shot ( probably not what you want to see) you know hes ready to do everything to help the team. He's bought into the system, went to the RW, and is playing responsible. Im happy with it.

wait wait wait.. so did we play a good game? i saw bits and pieces of it.. and i thought it was meh and Kovy looked liked a nascar engine that dropped a few cylinders. or flat tires. or lost a gear. or... a bunch of guys pushing a dead car around the track.
- MartysBetter88

We didn't play maybe like you saw Pittsburgh or other series, but we played a solid game, with a solid forecheck. Your expectations are extremely high and you're basing them on other series with more intensity, whereas for our series with less intensity, that game is a very good game we played.

Either I am hallucinating or this game is starting at 830 ET? Can someone please tell me I am hallucinating? I need to get sleep tomorrow night.

wait wait wait.. so did we play a good game? i saw bits and pieces of it.. and i thought it was meh and Kovy looked liked a nascar engine that dropped a few cylinders. or flat tires. or lost a gear. or... a bunch of guys pushing a dead car around the track.
- MartysBetter88

Overall we controlled the game territorially. We made certain mistakes and got sloppy in key moments, which detracted from the overall quality of play, which was good for 45 minutes or so. Unfortunately, screw ups in the other 15 can cost you, and came very close to doing so last night.

Todd, I love when you call everybody out when you predict stuff right. The "i told you so, (frank)ers" is really awesome.

Looks like Jose Threeormore is going to play tonight. Garrison looks like he is back in too.