Keys to the Playoffs

Everyone add one of their own that they think is absoultely imperative if we go anywhere in the playoffs.

1. Viktor Kozlov. You may or may not remember, but way back at the beginning of the season I was a huge believer in Kozlov's ability to actually make something of himself and become an important cog in the New Jersey machine. It hasn't exactly worked out that way, despite very very early promise. However, I still think he has it in him. Kozlov is one of those supremely talented players who if he ever gets motivated can break a game open. If something, anything, could trigger him to finally wake the hell up and start using the skillset he has available to him he could become a supremely important, and overlooked, part of a playoff drive. I don't expect it but I'm still hoping.

i have given up on Kozlov in this point in time.
i will take a bag of pucks to get him shipped outta nj.

Everyone add one of their own that they think is absoultely imperative if we go anywhere in the playoffs.

1. Viktor Kozlov. You may or may not remember, but way back at the beginning of the season I was a huge believer in Kozlov's ability to actually make something of himself and become an important cog in the New Jersey machine. It hasn't exactly worked out that way, despite very very early promise. However, I still think he has it in him. Kozlov is one of those supremely talented players who if he ever gets motivated can break a game open. If something, anything, could trigger him to finally wake the hell up and start using the skillset he has available to him he could become a supremely important, and overlooked, part of a playoff drive. I don't expect it but I'm still hoping.

He would have to be inserted into the lineup first. Jannsen and Wiemer-Rasmussen have been effective on the 4th line, Marshall fits in well with Maden/Pando and the 2 scoring lines are clicking. Kozlov's post season role might be a healthy scratch and an insertion into the lineup if someone is injured or needs a day off due to struggles. Lou will go with the guys who play with heart and have that hard working mentality and use their skills to their advantage. I like Kozlov. He is enourmously talented and I still believe he would work well with Elias/Langenbrunner, but Brylin is a better performer and plays with more heart.


As for the key to the playoffs..I think this is the 1st year Marty will actually have to steal a series for us to make any serious Cup run. We would not have won 3 cups without him in the past but he is yet to actually singlehandedly steal a series. I do argue he could have won the Conn Smythe in 03 though.

The other key is for the team to continue to play Devils hockey and play as a team. I hope that fatigue does not set in. We are not as talented as past runs but I do think we have as good of a chance as anyone.

1) Defense, defense, defense. Defense and solid goaltending still win Stanley Cups in a league where offense is now hailed as supreme entertainment.
2) Consistent, strong defensive play from Pandolfo and Madden.
3) Balanced scoring lines. Timely offense from the 3rd and 4th liners a la Grant Marshall in OT versus John Grahame circa 2003 postseason.
4) Health and depth on the blueline.
5) Health of Martin Brodeur.
6) Continued strong play from Elias, Gionta, Gomez, Langenbrunner along with a more mature Zach Parise taking his game to the next level.
7) Lady Luck.

1) Defense, defense, defense. Defense and solid goaltending still win Stanley Cups in a league where offense is now hailed as supreme entertainment.
2) Consistent, strong defensive play from Pandolfo and Madden.
3) Balanced scoring lines. Timely offense from the 3rd and 4th liners a la Grant Marshall in OT versus John Grahame circa 2003 postseason.
4) Health and depth on the blueline.
5) Health of Martin Brodeur.
6) Continued good play from Elias, Gionta, Gomez, Langenbrunner.
7) Lady Luck.

I think #4 is the most important there. Matvichuk and Lukowich are going to be key.

1. Team defense
2. Balanced scoring
3. Goaltending

Three key players:

1. Martin Brodeur - He's been good but not great all season. Brodeur needs to be his 2003 self for us do advance in the playoffs.

2. John Madden. We are likely going to see Jaromir Jagr first round. Madden needs to show him what a perennial Selke candidate can do.

3. Patrick Elias - We know that the 1st line can score, but Elias needs to elevate the play of his line to provide some serious secondary threats against top defensive teams.

Scoring from players not named Gionta, Gomez or Elias. Marty staying hot and the defense not turning the puck over in our zone are also keys.

1) Marty not being fatigued.

Three key players:

1. Martin Brodeur - He's been good but not great all season. Brodeur needs to be his 2003 self for us do advance in the playoffs.

2. John Madden. We are likely going to see Jaromir Jagr first round. Madden needs to show him what a perennial Selke candidate can do.

3. Patrick Elias - We know that the 1st line can score, but Elias needs to elevate the play of his line to provide some serious secondary threats against top defensive teams.

correct.

Here's my feeling -

The only key that matters is defense.

We have more offense than we did in 2003, and we know what we're getting from Marty.

Today we gave up the lead in an important game in the last minute. On the powerplay. No one cares because we ended up winning, but this cannot happen in the playoffs.

It never happened before because of #4 and #27.

If we cannot hold onto leads in the playoffs we will go nowhere.

I think team defense as always is the key to the playoffs..In 2004, the loss to the Flyers..the Devils were consistently outmuscled down low by Primeau..He was a monster in that series..This year, the Devils added a little muscle and the rule changes, contrary to everyone's opinion, actually help the Devils because of their speed up front...The Devils have been scoring with 3 goals or more in their last 11 games...I'm very excited to get the playoffs going!

This will sound a little ambiguous, but I think the key is our ability to "turn it up a notch." I know it is subjective and cliche, but all the good teams do it. We lost to Philly by one point in the regular season back in '04 yet got our a**es handed to us by them in the playoffs. They completely turned it up, and we didn't. The Rangers did it to us in 97. Colorado beat one of the best regular-season teams in NHL history back in '96. If we can even turn it up a half notch, we'll make it to the Conference Finals.


Of course it would help if Ottawa's defensemen weren't able to return at 100%, but then Chara did have 2 goals last night in his first game back, so there goes that idea.

Defense is the definate element needed to win a championship.

But I think the bigger key is the team playing as one unit wuith everyone knowing their roll and playing as a team. Play Devils hockey and good things will result.

Marty will need to stand on his head and the defense will need to be in good position.

Our best players must be our best players. That being said, it begins and ends with Marty. He has to play like he is the bets goalie in the world (which he is).

1. Team defense
2. Balanced scoring
3. Goaltending

Those are 3 big ones, especially team D....And If Marty can be Marty, that also bodes well for playoff success....

One other factor that will be key I think too is improved special teams. The Devils PP and PK are both in the bottom half of the league currently, and the Devils need to have at least one of the special teams units, but preferably both, firing on all cylinders come playoff time....