Todd Cordell: NHL ECF Preview: New Jersey Devils @ New York Rangers - Game 2

Start crashing the net around Henry, let him know you're there. And Henrique is soooo overdue for a goal.

GIVE EM' HELL DEVILS!!!

We're (frank)ing DOOMED

That's a pretty good line for your top line, the only problem I see is that NYR uses 5 d-men. Having 2 or 3 lines that can attack would wear them done a lot more. If NYR shuts down that top line it just allows them to continue their 5-man d, which is their game plan.

We're (frank)ing DOOMED
- shvingter88

Grab the old disc-man and crank Rammstein

That's a pretty good line for your top line, the only problem I see is that NYR uses 5 d-men. Having 2 or 3 lines that can attack would wear them done a lot more. If NYR shuts down that top line it just allows them to continue their 5-man d, which is their game plan.
- Lahey

DOOMED

Grab the old disc-man and crank Rammstein
- Lahey

Absolutely not

Good blog as usual Todd.

I'll have to respectfully disagree with your assessment of Brodeur not being bad. He made some nice saves, particularly on Staal, but he made a few more mishandles that led to turnovers and the Kreider goal should have been stopped. That second goal in the 3rd deflated the team and seriously reduced the Devils chances of getting back in it and it was a snapshot with no screen from pretty far out.

With the Rangers D being stingy and Lundqvist making all of the saves he should, Marty is going to have to match him save-for-save and steal games.

For what it's worth, I am not a fan of putting Parise and Kovalchuk back on the same line. Girardi and McD have the ability to shut down top lines and it thins out the offense in my opinion. I am also not a fan of Harrold in for Larsson. Larsson was solid in his own end last game. I know that Harrold handles the puck a bit better and may be able to fake shots and avoid some of the shot blocking, but Larsson has done nothing to deserve being taken out.

The coaches clearly watch and know more than I do, and I hope these changes are adjustments based on things they saw in game 1 and not just reactions to not scoring and desperation.

I won't panic until the Devils lose one at home, but winning game 2 would be nice. The Rangers have lost both game 2s at home so far, but that really doesn't mean much and they will be ready to defend the Garden ice.

Let's Go Devils.

Larsson definately deserves to play. If i were to sit anyone in favor of Harrold it would be Volchenkov, but i know that ain't happening. IMO he's pretty much sucked during the playoffs.

not a fan of the lines. not a fan of Harrold > Larsson.
i thought we played well and liked the lines and matchups.. we go down 2-0 we're finished

we go down 2-0 we're finished
- MartysBetter88

agreed.

I think the long layoff did hurt us a bit. I mean it's not like we didn't know what the Rags were going to throw at us. We faced them in the regular season and did have success.
We didn't play them for awhile so game one seemed like a refresher course on what to expect.

(frank) you PDB. Why on earth would you take Larsson out of the lineup

not a fan of the lines. not a fan of Harrold > Larsson.
i thought we played well and liked the lines and matchups.. we go down 2-0 we're finished
- MartysBetter88

The coaching staff is panicing. I'm not happy. Our biggest strength against the Rangers is going to be our depth and our ability to wear them down by continuing to roll 4 lines all nigh, keep the puck in their zone and grind. But not if we stack one line. You can't do that against a shut down d pair. It nullifies our top offensive line most likely

(frank) I hope i'm wrong.

The line change doesnt bother me, our team is way deeper and better then what we dressed during the regular season when playing the rangers. The first game only problem that really stook out was bad judgment plays, aewful passes. It needs to go back to simple just put the puck on net and crash it. Not that tough of a concept.

The coaching staff is panicing. I'm not happy. Our biggest strength against the Rangers is going to be our depth and our ability to wear them down by continuing to roll 4 lines all night and keeping our guys fresh. But not if we stack one line. You can't do that against a shut down d pair. It nullifies our top offensive line most likely

(frank) I hope i'm wrong.
- Jeffrey7146

In all honestly has that second line really done anything anyways ? Change isnt always a bad thing

In all honestly has that second line really done anything anyways ? Change isnt always a bad thing
- Bowkes

I was questing DeBoer when he changed the lines in the Philly series, and that worked out brilliantly. Let's at least give the changes a shot.

I was questing DeBoer when he changed the lines in the Philly series, and that worked out brilliantly. Let's at least give the changes a shot.
- rmdevil313

Yeah, offense didn't even get one last game so I'm thinking that he doesn't want them to get in a rut by doing poorly for a second game.

In all honestly has that second line really done anything anyways ? Change isnt always a bad thing
- Bowkes

Part of the problem is that Poni was on that line for some reason. I would have rather seen Zubrus there but oh well.

I'm pumped for the game. It'll be a welcomed break from Diablo 3 which has been ruling my life.

I'm pumped for the game. It'll be a welcomed break from Diablo 3 which has been ruling my life.
- Pomegrant

Ive avoided that completely, have you even been able to get on the server?

Ive avoided that completely, have you even been able to get on the server?
- Bowkes

Yeah, they've been a bunch of errors though. Traffic is so high right now. I played until 7:30 with my friends last night to beat act I. We're idiots.

Part of the problem is that Poni was on that line for some reason. I would have rather seen Zubrus there but oh well.
- Kovaltron

Agreed, but against Philly i think Zubrus Henrique and Sykora played very well together. I dont like the sounds of Henrique between Poni and Sykora....

Yeah, offense didn't even get one last game so I'm thinking that he doesn't want them to get in a rut by doing poorly for a second game.
- Pomegrant

I'm sure he doesn't want them to get frustrated as well, that only leads to stupid penalties and poor play.
You could see in it Kovy's face last game. All i know is they better score first tonight or we could be in for a long night.

I'm sure he doesn't want them to get frustrated as well, that only leads to stupid penalties and poor play.
You could see in it Kovy's face last game. All i know is they better score first tonight or we could be in for a long night.
- FAZOOL

This series I believe who ever scores first will win the game.