Todd Cordell: G11 New Jersey Devils vs Philadelphia Flyers: Mackenzie Blackwood starts

I am almost afraid to watch.

You hate to get this dramatic, but it really feels like now the only person who can salvage this season is Blackwood. They've been garbage this year don't get me wrong, but the skaters are clearly capable of playing well and putting other teams on their heels. However none of it matters if Schneider and Blackwood are physically unable to stop a puck. They need good goaltending plain and simple and then they might be able to turn this around. It really does not look like Schneider is ever going to get back to that level consistently, Blackwood needs to get there now or Ray is going to have to start having some tough conversations.

with all the nonsense, I'm beyond thrilled with Zacha taking a step forward. Zacha-Hischier-Bratt isn't the line ANY of us asked for, but it's the line we desperately need.

Again, Gusev can go on the 4th line when he comes back. He CANNOT go with Hughes because of the defense issues, and the Zajac line is functioning too well right now.
Wood-Rooney-Gusev, eventually trying Boqvist in the middle. Give Gusev PP time too. He'll probably get 12mins total/night, which I think is fine. Could be good.

I know we're down on this group, but the past 5 games they've played good enough.. just the lapses in goal and the few prime scoring chances, aside from obvious bad bounces that every team gets. Hopefully Blackwood can come in and bring some stability. I feel so bad for Cory.

That top 4 D...

No Gusev. No Boquist. I have no idea what this team is thinking.

No Gusev. No Boquist. I have no idea what this team is thinking.
- redmonsters

they're thinking our team sucks on defense and Gusev is our worst forward defensively, and Boqvist isn't a necessary risk with the 4th line looking ok the past few games.

I am almost afraid to watch.
- Leniwm1

it's one of those things that you know you should look away but you can't help it

they're thinking our team sucks on defense and Gusev is our worst forward defensively, and Boqvist isn't a necessary risk with the 4th line looking ok the past few games.
- MartysBetter88

   
Gusev: 9 games, 3 goals, 1 assist, 4 points 2 PIMs -1.
Wood: 10 games, 1 goal, 1 assist, 2 points, 8 PIMs -6.

I was at the Tampa game and the 4th line was pinned back more then a hooker at a bachelor party... OK, maybe not.

   
Gusev: 9 games, 3 goals, 1 assist, 4 points 2 PIMs -1.
Wood: 10 games, 1 goal, 1 assist, 2 points, 8 PIMs -6.

I was at the Tampa game and the 4th line was pinned back more then a hooker at a bachelor party... OK, maybe not.
- Queenie_5_hole

Dont make fun of hookers.

Gusev and his horrendous -1 is out again, cuz you know.. Devils play much better defensively without him. Like the last game where we allowed 7 goals.

I am almost afraid to watch.
- Leniwm1

it will be nothing short of spectacular

Gusev will only improve if played, and his offense at a minimum offsets his defense, others playing now are just a pure down draft on winning. Boquist should be played or send him back, they are ruining his development. That is all.

We allow 7 goals and somehow Gusev doesn't slot back into the lineup? I mean, would it even be possible for his presence to result in worse team defense than we saw against Tampa? I can't recall a single shift that our fourth line didn't play entirely inside our defensive zone. I've been avoiding the Fire Hynes bandwagon, but he is starting to make me question my decision. It may be time for him to retire and become an eyebrow model.

Gusev will only improve if played, and his offense at a minimum offsets his defense, others playing now are just a pure down draft on winning. Boquist should be played or send him back, they are ruining his development. That is all.
- redmonsters

Gusev is not going to learn how to play in the NHL by actually playing. His only shot of picking up the North American game is to play NHL20 against Elias while in the press box. I believe Gretzy credits his knowledge of the game on the time he spent playing Xbox One.

alright, alright lol. UNLEASH THE GUSEV!

Make Coleman-Zajac-Simmonds the de facto shutdown line. Send Rooney and Hayden back down. Call up McLeod and Bastian. Trade Wood and a b-level prospect to the Wild for Jonas Brodin. Ice a line of Gusev-McLeod-Bastian with limited minutes and take it from there.

This could be that breakout year for Zacha we've been waiting for. He's playing like the 6th overall, FINALLY! Hes becoming a threat every shift. Great to see.

We just traded for Louis Domingue from Tampa for a conditional 2021 7th

We just traded for Louis Domingue from Tampa for a conditional 2021 7th
- vlongo4419

the goalie? Hmmm, perhaps Cory going bye bye?

We just traded for Louis Domingue from Tampa for a conditional 2021 7th
- vlongo4419

Isn't this guy awful

Edit: looks like he's been alright in Tampa but he was absolutely awful in Arizona

Happy for Simmonds. Need a few from him going forward. Another point for Hughes too

Happy for Simmonds. Need a few from him going forward. Another point for Hughes too
- willschulme

Really nice pass from Hughes there. Simmonds does look at home on the powerplay around the net, and I think he's been fine with Coleman and Zajac on the 3rd line. One part of the team that hasn't been a disaster.

Can't blame Blackwood for that one

That's gotta be a goal