Roger Mussa: Blackwood on COVID Protocol... won't play tonight.

6-0 Islanders

6-0 Islanders
- RubberBiscuitz

doomed?

6-0 Islanders
- RubberBiscuitz

off to a good start!

Good to see Bastian and the line get on the board

Smith with an assist too

Forget the scoreboard. Ugly game.

off to a good start!
- Pomegrant

On pace to give up about 40 or so shots on goal, we’re going to need to score at least 5 tonight to at least get a loser point.

I think I’ve seen enough of Johnsson, hope he’s one of the forwards to take a seat when Nico and Bratt are back.

I think I’ve seen enough of Johnsson, hope he’s one of the forwards to take a seat when Nico and Bratt are back.
- smellmyfinger

That whole line has been poor.

Glad this one is over.

That whole line has been poor.
- rmdevil313

They have no chemistry with each other. I get that they were all supposed to play with different players on paper but still. Real bad look.

On pace to give up about 40 or so shots on goal, we’re going to need to score at least 5 tonight to at least get a loser point.
- smellmyfinger

Held them to 35. We rock.

Speaking of, why is the pru logo on the helmet not black?

Held them to 35. We rock.

Speaking of, why is the pru logo on the helmet not black?
- Queenie_5_hole

to look even more ridiculous than it already does.

I don't remember there being giant advertisements between the dots in the D/O zone sides of the blue line. Are those new too? Inching closer and closer to euro leagues. looks terrible.

The passes were either off or the receivers couldn’t handle them. Also, there were too many times teammates would get in each other’s way.

As for the power play, if you’re going to have Wood on it, dump the puck and have him retrieve it. And for God’s sakes, shoot the puck.

Ouch

Ouch
- dmarsden2988

Great read.

Not blaming Wedge for last night but if we don’t have great goaltending we are dead.

Great read.

Not blaming Wedge for last night but if we don’t have great goaltending we are dead.


- Queenie_5_hole

Yeah. It certainly didn't bode well. Honestly though, I thought Wedge looked pretty solid. He certainly wasn't the reason we lost. The first goal scored by Barzal nobody was stopping. That was just a perfect shot. The boys gotta step up, and not be allowing 35 to 50 shots a game and expect to win.

Yeah. It certainly didn't bode well. Honestly though, I thought Wedge looked pretty solid. He certainly wasn't the reason we lost. The first goal scored by Barzal nobody was stopping. That was just a perfect shot. The boys gotta step up, and not be allowing 35 to 50 shots a game and expect to win.
- OfManNotMachine

I also want to add here its not just the quantity of shots. We are giving up lots of high quality chances too. Those have to stop if we are going to compete.

I also want to add here its not just the quantity of shots. We are giving up lots of high quality chances too. Those have to stop if we are going to compete.
- Bowkes

Exactly. The number of 2 on 1s was high and there were a bunch of plays where the second defender not in good position. Butch Goring commented that the Devils were playing too wide open and getting caught a lot.

EK’s rumor du jour has PLD coming to NJ for Zacha, Butcher and picks. I’d take it but does he want to be in NJ? Doubtful

EK’s rumor du jour has PLD coming to NJ for Zacha, Butcher and picks. I’d take it but does he want to be in NJ? Doubtful
- Crushers68

Well if Ek reported it it must be true.....

Exactly. The number of 2 on 1s was high and there were a bunch of plays where the second defender not in good position. Butch Goring commented that the Devils were playing too wide open and getting caught a lot.
- Queenie_5_hole

Let me play Devils advocate here. Isn't this Ruff's system? Aggressive Dmen that have the potential exposure for odd-man rushes the other way? I think with experience and eventually better players it can work.

Let me play Devils advocate here. Isn't this Ruff's system? Aggressive Dmen that have the potential exposure for odd-man rushes the other way? I think with experience and eventually better players it can work.
- redmonsters

Yes, definitely aware that is the way Lindy plays; but it seemed a lot more of mess last night then in the earlier games. Not sure why TBH.

Just read this about the Red Wings. I want you all to let this sink in when complaining about our defense, it could be worse:
Merrill, on the other hand, is playing top-four defence minutes this season with the team.

They have no chemistry with each other. I get that they were all supposed to play with different players on paper but still. Real bad look.
- Pomegrant

They haven't had much time to gel yet, hopefully things change. P.K has been an absolute joke thus far. Lastnight, that Barzal snipe was his doing. He simply pointed to Gusev to take him, who was too far back, and rather than standing his ground and forcing Barz wide, he just kept backing up, not taking the shot option or the pass option. Slick moves pk. He was also on the ice for every one of their 4 goals against. P.K is averaging a -5 shots on net despite having nearly 7 attempts per night. He has been terrible, Whereas Smith and Severson have been on the other side of those stats.

So there is promise. Hughes 1.5ppg through 4 games is fantastic. Smith looks good with 4 points through 4 games, and will only look better as he adjusts to this league. Blackwood has stolen games (wedgewood is decent but no a guy who can steal points). Considering Vatanen an Nico have yet to enter the lineup, I am happy with this teams play. Our future "core" players have not disappointed. That is the big takaway.

It is just painful to watch P.K. out there. For every point he gets, he seems to be a -3, and rack up 4 pims. He doesn't help this club and will not be a trade-able asset, even 50% retained. Again lots of promise from the guys who matter most.