Perhaps we'll try to win tonight.

Rangers 5
Devils 2
Erika 10

Crazy how the 3rd line looks great when you put Boqvist back in the lineup.

Crazy how the 3rd line looks great when you put Boqvist back in the lineup.
- Pomegrant

Noticed the same thing.
If they win tonight I’ll forgive them for losing to Buffa-fkn-lo. Lol

Rangers 5
Devils 2
Erika 10
- RubberBiscuitz

Pine Belt girl 7

Game Management is such BS especially when you're playing against teams like the Rangers where they are bad 5v5 but great on the powerplay. You don't need to even up the penalties just because especially when the game hasn't been played dirty by either team at any point. Refs just giving them life for free.

Game Management is such BS especially when you're playing against teams like the Rangers where they are bad 5v5 but great on the powerplay. You don't need to even up the penalties just because especially when the game hasn't been played dirty by either team at any point. Refs just giving them life for free.
- Pomegrant

Classic mind-numbingly stupid call that was.

Classic mind-numbingly stupid call that was.
- MartysBetter88

I've seen Hughes go down the same way and never gets called when he tries going through two defenders. Weak call.

Erika looking really good tnight.

Yeah, they can't skate with us at 5v5 when we're on our game. If we stay out of the box and and Igor doesn't turn into the world beater he was last season to steal a series, we'll be perfectly fine against them.

Erika looking really good tnight.
- Leniwm1

Not sure I like what she did with the lipstick. Love the hair tho.

So would you guys rather play the Rags or the Islanders first round? Islanders seem to have our number this season. Only thing that really scares me with those two teams is their goaltending.

So would you guys rather play the Rags or the Islanders first round? Islanders seem to have our number this season. Only thing that really scares me with those two teams is their goaltending.
- devils2929

The only way we lose to either team in a 7 game series is due to goaltending or special teams (rangers specifically).

With that, I'd rather play the Islanders. I was at the game last night and it was
probably 60/40 ratio Devils to Rangers fans.

If we play the Rangers 1st round, we really do lose out on the "home ice" fan advantage. Islanders fans won't pack the Rock like Ranger fans would. Not sure how much of a difference that truly makes for the players though.....

The Devils have signed Josh Filmon to his ELC which will begin next season. 6th round pick from last draft, put up 47 goals and 75 points in 65 games in the WHL this year. He'll be reporting to Utica on an ATO.

So would you guys rather play the Rags or the Islanders first round? Islanders seem to have our number this season. Only thing that really scares me with those two teams is their goaltending.
- devils2929

I mean, it's definitely the Isles lol. Their skater group is just far worse than the Rangers. We're flat out better than both teams at 5v5, but the Rangers have far more firepower that they can counter with compared to the Isles. Goaltending is a wash, both teams are strong goaltending. We should beat both teams if we play to our capabilities though. Still unlikely we pass the Canes, it's like 85-90% Devils/Rags.

Hamilton was a beast last night. Rangers did nothing when he was on the ice. Also tired of hearing how we are young and have no playoff experience. Yet we have Hamilton,Haula,Palat,Tatar even Graves has some experience.

So would you guys rather play the Rags or the Islanders first round? Islanders seem to have our number this season. Only thing that really scares me with those two teams is their goaltending.
- devils2929

Islanders, even with the win last night. Sorokin scares me more than Shesterkin tho.. we could get goalied.. but for 4 out of 7? Possible, but I don’t think so. We should only be getting better as Timo gets more comfortable.

As long as we won't have to face Boston in the first round i don't care who we play.
Opposing teams should be worried about playing us.

Hamilton was a beast last night. Rangers did nothing when he was on the ice.
- devils2929

Also tired of hearing how we are young and have no playoff experience. Yet we have Hamilton,Haula,Palat,Tatar even Graves has some experience

.

It really is strange how people keep saying this, when we have more players on the roster with any kind of playoff experience than players with none. Especially on defense.

Dougie - 54 games, Graves - 25 games, Marino - 17 games, Siegs - 11 games, Smith - 56 games, and Sevo got his feet wet with a series, has 4 games. Bahl is the only one who hasnt played in the playoffs(has a little AHL playoff experience though)

Forward-wise its about 50/50 on players with experience. Obviously Palat - 138 games, Tatar - 40 games, Haula - 61 games, Meier - 35 games, Lazar if health - 24 games, Wood - 5 games, Nico - 5 games, and Bratt with only 1.

Theres really not many players on the roster who havent atleast gotten a taste of playoff action. And among the players who havent been there yet, im not really worried about Jack or Mercer adapting lol. Its just a lazy narrative that people try to use because this is the first time the Devils have been good with the core pillars in place.

It really is strange how people keep saying this, when we have more players on the roster with any kind of playoff experience than players with none. Especially on defense.

Dougie - 54 games, Graves - 25 games, Marino - 17 games, Siegs - 11 games, Smith - 56 games, and Sevo got his feet wet with a series, has 4 games. Bahl is the only one who hasnt played in the playoffs(has a little AHL playoff experience though)

Forward-wise its about 50/50 on players with experience. Obviously Palat - 138 games, Tatar - 40 games, Haula - 61 games, Meier - 35 games, Lazar if health - 24 games, Wood - 5 games, Nico - 5 games, and Bratt with only 1.

Theres really not many players on the roster who havent atleast gotten a taste of playoff action. And among the players who havent been there yet, im not really worried about Jack or Mercer adapting lol. Its just a lazy narrative that people try to use because this is the first time the Devils have been good with the core pillars in place.
- vlongo4419

Good blog, thanks vlongo! Sam should be worried for his job

It really is strange how people keep saying this, when we have more players on the roster with any kind of playoff experience than players with none. Especially on defense.

Dougie - 54 games, Graves - 25 games, Marino - 17 games, Siegs - 11 games, Smith - 56 games, and Sevo got his feet wet with a series, has 4 games. Bahl is the only one who hasnt played in the playoffs(has a little AHL playoff experience though)

Forward-wise its about 50/50 on players with experience. Obviously Palat - 138 games, Tatar - 40 games, Haula - 61 games, Meier - 35 games, Lazar if health - 24 games, Wood - 5 games, Nico - 5 games, and Bratt with only 1.

Theres really not many players on the roster who havent atleast gotten a taste of playoff action. And among the players who havent been there yet, im not really worried about Jack or Mercer adapting lol. Its just a lazy narrative that people try to use because this is the first time the Devils have been good with the core pillars in place.
- vlongo4419

Yeah - not all that concerned with our skaters, but a combined 3 playoff games worth of experience between our 2 goalies is what could be problematic.

Yeah - not all that concerned with our skaters, but a combined 3 playoff games worth of experience between our 2 goalies is what could be problematic.
- hockeybocc

Yep that's my only concern in the playoffs. Said it a few weeks ago, if we stay out of the box and our goaltending doesn't sink us, we'll be fine. The PP struggles that could hurt too, but we should have enough offense at 5v5 that it shouldn't be the reason we lose a series. Can't hide from it though, we're going to be at a goaltending disadvantage in pretty much any series we can realistically play, except maybe the Canes?

Can't hide from it though, we're going to be at a goaltending disadvantage in pretty much any series we can realistically play, except maybe the Canes?
- vlongo4419

Trading one deficiency for another seeing they should have the advantage 5v5.

But I think our forward depth is something that people aren't really recognizing at the moment especially when you get to the 3rd line. Tatar has been crushing it lately and he is picking apart lower level comp. It would be more recognizable if Haula had any better finish in him but it is what it is.

Maintenance day for both Nico and Haula today.

Trading one deficiency for another seeing they should have the advantage 5v5.

But I think our forward depth is something that people aren't really recognizing at the moment especially when you get to the 3rd line. Tatar has been crushing it lately and he is picking apart lower level comp. It would be more recognizable if Haula had any better finish in him but it is what it is.
- Pomegrant

Agreed. Our bottom 6 is actually pretty good atm, outside of Wood lol. They've been feasting on opposing teams the last few weeks. Putting Haula at 3C, where he should've been from the start, has really lengthened our lineup and hes been very good. Boqvist as well has stepped up/progressed on what he showed to end last season which helps a ton. Still wish we would stop playing Wood, as he's the weak link of our forwards, but maybe he comes out once Lazar and Bastian are both back.