Buffalo or NYR?

Who would you rather play?

buffalo but i think rangers would mean so much more

After '02, I'll never wish to play a "easier" team. And I really don't know which team is "easier". I just want to see the Devils finish out these last 3 games playing good hockey and finish with as high a seed as possible.

I'm not particularily looking forward to facing NYR or PHI, playing Buffalo in the first round would ensure one of them gets ousted first.

Buffalo. Even though they're up there with the 4th seed they have been inconsistent, as we have, all season long. Our defensive game has been very effective in past games against the Sabres. I'd definitely like to see the Rangers somewhere in the playoffs but not this early.

Buffalo. Even though they're up there with the 4th seed they have been inconsistent, as we have, all season long. Our defensive game has been very effective in past games against the Sabres. I'd definitely like to see the Rangers somewhere in the playoffs but not this early.
I feel one of the main reasons our defensive game has been so effective against the Sabres is because of injuries/suspensions to many of their top forwards. Wasn't Briere suspended for the last matchup?

If anything I think we've played the best against the Rangers. I know we're 4-4 against them but we lost to them very early in the season and we played them twice (lost both times) when Brodeur was injured...our only other loss was the one that broke the 9 game win streak.

I am not afraid of the Rangers one bit and I say bring 'em on.

Sabres fan checking in, saying that we over at the Buffalo board do NOT want to see the Devils in the P.O.s. The NJ Trap is too ugly and too effective against the Sabres, so we're hoping to see Philly instead of Jersey.

Just thought I'd chime in.

Either way, Buffalo's gettin the trap.

I will express no preference.
Both will be tough opponents and I learned my lesson (as did most of us) when we faced Carolina in 2002.
}:-(>

A series vs NYR could be pretty intense hockey. I think I would rather play them for that reason alone.

I'm not particularily looking forward to facing NYR or PHI, playing Buffalo in the first round would ensure one of them gets ousted first.

I thought the same thing until yesterday, but now there is a real chance both could get knocked out of the first round. I thought the Flyers look embarrassingly slow against the Devils. There's no way the Flyers can keep up with the four blazingly fast Buffalo lines. All the injuries to the Flyers' defensemen have really caught up to them. Losing Kim Johnnson is a crippling blow, Hatcher and Rathje look burnt out and overwhelmed, and multiple rookie d-men in the playoffs is never a good idea.

Also, it would be fun to have a packed house in the first round and we need the Rangers to do that. We finally have a chance to knock the Rags out of playoffs for the first time and that would be very tasty.

I think I'd rather play Buffalo in the first round.....Not because one team is better or worse, because I don't want to see the Devil play an emotional hard fought first round. It would take to much out of the club win or loose.

And that is exactly would it would be versus the Rangers. I'd much rather face them later than ealier...

Not only that, but I have convinced myself that the first round of the playoffs is going to be called like the first month of this season; That is if your stick goes parallel to the ice at any point a hook will called. I believe the NHL is going to do this to proove they have the wherewithall to call penalties in the post season....I also believe it will subside by round two or three....Call me crazy but I'm thinking this is going to happen.

I think a less emotional first round would benefit the Devils.

I think I'd rather play Buffalo in the first round.....Not because one team is better or worse, because I don't want to see the Devil play an emotional hard fought first round. It would take to much out of the club win or loose.

And that is exactly would it would be versus the Rangers. I'd much rather face them later than ealier...

Not only that, but I have convinced myself that the first round of the playoffs is going to be called like the first month of this season; That is if your stick goes parallel to the ice at any point a hook will called. I believe the NHL is going to do this to proove they have the wherewithall to call penalties in the post season....I also believe it will subside by round two or three....Call me crazy but I'm thinking this is going to happen.

I think a less emotional first round would benefit the Devils.

Good point about the penalty calling and I agree - I think they will crank it up a notch and anytime white breathes on Jagr he would get called. That said though I think I'd rather beat the Rangers and go out in the next round over any other option short of winning the Cup. If we don't win lord stanley, then let's beat the Ranger hex at least. But I get your reasoning completely.

I want the Rangers. Nothing against Buffalo: they've been outstanding, but I think another Lincoln Tunnel series would be great for the NHL Playoffs, AND I think the Devils have zero letdowns in a series with the Rangers. I think Buffalo (if they can shake off any postseason jitters) will win at least one round and possibly play in the Eastern Conference Finals. The Devils are probably more physical than the Rangers in terms of our checking defensemen too. If we can't beat the Rangers in the playoffs, we wouldn't beat the Sabres either. JMO.

Sabres fan checking in, saying that we over at the Buffalo board do NOT want to see the Devils in the P.O.s. The NJ Trap is too ugly and too effective against the Sabres, so we're hoping to see Philly instead of Jersey.

Just thought I'd chime in.

I believe Philly also plays the trap, just not as good as we do. ;)

I thought the same thing until yesterday, but now there is a real chance both could get knocked out of the first round. I thought the Flyers look embarrassingly slow against the Devils. There's no way the Flyers can keep up with the four blazingly fast Buffalo lines. All the injuries to the Flyers' defensemen have really caught up to them. Losing Kim Johnnson is a crippling blow, Hatcher and Rathje look burnt out and overwhelmed, and multiple rookie d-men in the playoffs is never a good idea.

Also, it would be fun to have a packed house in the first round and we need the Rangers to do that. We finally have a chance to knock the Rags out of playoffs for the first time and that would be very tasty.

Hatcher and Rathje are overrated/overpaid in the new NHL, as are many of the expensive D men in the NHL (Jersey's got a few too). If the flyers rely on them, any fast team like Buffalo or NJ will burn them.

I'd like to beat the rangers too, but I can't stomach a loss against them.. I still haven't forgiven Messier or Matteau. :madfire:

I've said it before and I'll say it again...nothing more would please me then to KO the Rangers in the first round. :nopity: :rangers

I've said it before and I'll say it again...nothing more would please me then to KO the Rangers in the first round. :nopity: :rangers

nice avatar. the biggest ***** hitting the smallest guy on our team from behind.

nice avatar. the biggest ***** hitting the smallest guy on our team from behind.



first off, how is white a *****?

and go ask kasper-minus about cheap shots....

NYR is struggling now, if the Devils get them now they can cut them down but if they get them later they might ride momentum. I'd rather have NYR because they seem to be backing in.

p.s. I haven't posted in a while because I can't figure out technology. I'm hoping to have a computer back fulltime soon.

NYR is struggling now, if the Devils get them now they can cut them down but if they get them later they might ride momentum. I'd rather have NYR because they seem to be backing in.The Devils could get the lesser of the Rangers/Flyers if the Devils win their last two and the Rangers lose, even an OT, against Ottawa.

p.s. I haven't posted in a while because I can't figure out technology. I'm hoping to have a computer back fulltime soon.Yes, you don't have a playoff avatar.

The Devils could get the lesser of the Rangers/Flyers if the Devils win their last two and the Rangers lose, even an OT, against Ottawa.

Yes, you don't have a playoff avatar.
Yeah its been a while haha. I think the last time I posted was the 9-game winning streak in January.

Buffalo, so then I could go to the game, it's only a 2 hour drive.

Although, we could be handed Philly too ya know.

Buffalo, so then I could go to the game, it's only a 2 hour drive.

.

It's less than that for me, but I want 1st in the division.

I think I'd rather play Buffalo in the first round.....Not because one team is better or worse, because I don't want to see the Devil play an emotional hard fought first round. It would take to much out of the club win or loose.

And that is exactly would it would be versus the Rangers. I'd much rather face them later than ealier...

Not only that, but I have convinced myself that the first round of the playoffs is going to be called like the first month of this season; That is if your stick goes parallel to the ice at any point a hook will called. I believe the NHL is going to do this to proove they have the wherewithall to call penalties in the post season....I also believe it will subside by round two or three....Call me crazy but I'm thinking this is going to happen.

I think a less emotional first round would benefit the Devils.


I think that is a good point but do you really want to play a balanced 4 line team with out being able to get away with obstruction? You guys have a great squad. Everyone in Buffalo doesn’t want to play you. I do. I don’t think you can last seven games if the refs call the game according to the new rules. You will undoubtedly play us hard and shut us down a few games (maybe even shut us out). We will also in my opinion blow you out at least one game with a lopsided score. I do believe it will come down to six or seven games and it will be a hard fought one goal game in the last game. I believe your trap will not be able to contain us in that game.
But hell… Playoffs are 50% goaltending so God only knows what will happen there.

As I have said earlier in the year. It is absolutely vital that the Devils have a good first round, it will dictate where they go in the playoffs. They either lose 1st round, or go deep. If we make it past round 1, we're going to the conference finals at the very least. Since Marty has been our goalie

93-94: Conference finalists lost to NYR 4-3
94-95: Champs :D defeated DET 4-0
95-96: Did not qualify :(
96-97: Second round lost to NYR 4-2
97-98: First round lost to Ottawa 4-2
98-99: First round lost to Pittsburgh 4-2
99-00: Champs :D defeated Dallas 4-2
00-01: Cup Finalists lost to Colorado 4-3
01-02: First round lost to Carolina 4-2
02-03: Champs :D defeated Anahiem 4-3
03-04: First round lost to Philadelphia 4-1

So there you have it.

I think that is a good point but do you really want to play a balanced 4 line team with out being able to get away with obstruction? You guys have a great squad. Everyone in Buffalo doesn’t want to play you. I do. I don’t think you can last seven games if the refs call the game according to the new rules. You will undoubtedly play us hard and shut us down a few games (maybe even shut us out). We will also in my opinion blow you out at least one game with a lopsided score. I do believe it will come down to six or seven games and it will be a hard fought one goal game in the last game. I believe your trap will not be able to contain us in that game.
But hell… Playoffs are 50% goaltending so God only knows what will happen there.

This post is horrible on so many different levels.

I think that is a good point but do you really want to play a balanced 4 line team with out being able to get away with obstruction? You guys have a great squad. Everyone in Buffalo doesn’t want to play you. I do. I don’t think you can last seven games if the refs call the game according to the new rules. You will undoubtedly play us hard and shut us down a few games (maybe even shut us out). We will also in my opinion blow you out at least one game with a lopsided score. I do believe it will come down to six or seven games and it will be a hard fought one goal game in the last game. I believe your trap will not be able to contain us in that game.
But hell… Playoffs are 50% goaltending so God only knows what will happen there.
If we were really taking that many penalties, they would show up on the score sheet. I wouldn't want to play Buffalo because their special teams are MUCH better than those of the Rangers or Philly. I just want to win the division and take home ice in the first round, I honestly think that's as important as our opponent.

This post is horrible on so many different levels.


Care to explain why? :shakehead

Care to explain why? :shakehead

Because he thinks the only way we can win is by having the refs in our pocket book.

Because he thinks the only way we can win is by having the refs in our pocket book.


Not true.
I just think the trap has always bordered on interference/obstruction. It can be played clean but when speed starts breaking holes in its scheme you start clutching and grabbing a little more than not.
The scheme is intended to frustrate the opposition into taking penalties. And it most certainly does. But if you keep your head and have a team as fast as ours you will be forced to either skate with us (which won’t bode well for you) or start clutching.

Because he thinks the only way we can win is by having the refs in our pocket book.

Are you refering to Rockstar or midg14? If it is Rock maybe I can elaborate more on his point..

Not true.
I just think the trap has always bordered on interference/obstruction. It can be played clean but when speed starts breaking holes in its scheme you start clutching and grabbing a little more than not.
The scheme is intended to frustrate the opposition into taking penalties. And it most certainly does. But if you keep your head and have a team as fast as ours you will be forced to either skate with us (which won’t bode well for you) or start clutching.


I apologize for even daring to question the greatness that is Buffalo, but what makes you think the Devils can't skate with the Sabres?

I apologize for even daring to question the greatness that is Buffalo, but what makes you think the Devils can't skate with the Sabres?

What makes us think that is that our team has won more games then your team and higher in the standings.... Now do I think that matters in a head to head playoff series? No. However ask any Sabres fan they will say that our team is better and that is why, its just the mid-set I guess...

Ok, you may think your team is better, that's fair. Every fan has the right to see the best in their team at this time of year.

But the challenge posed by Rockstar was that the Devils couldn't skate with the Sabres. This may be surprising to you, but the Devils don't have too many slow forwards. And as far as the clutching and grabbing, I would think, using the regular season as an indicator of penalties (just like you used the regular season standings as your evidence), that the Sabres would be the ones slowing down the Devils with their clutching and grabbing, seeing as how the Sabres have taken more penalties than the Devils have.

I apologize for even daring to question the greatness that is Buffalo, but what makes you think the Devils can't skate with the Sabres?


Because it’s not your system. Every team’s goal is to get the other team to play into its system. If and I say if we break the trap you will be forced to skate in a system we have played 81 games successfully. Not to mention besides Ottawa and Detroit there is no team that can go end to end with us. We are to balanced and to fast.
By the way I don’t have any illusions of having the skill level of Detroit or Ottawa. But we can skate with them.

Buffalo beating the Devils? Ludicrous.

I don't think you know the Devils system very well. Maybe you will become more familiar with it very soon.

I don't think you know the Devils system very well. Maybe you will become more familiar with it very soon.


I look forward to it.

Buffalo beating the Devils? Ludicrous.

I have a feeling we will find out if this is really true...

I have a feeling we will find out if this is really true...

Can you get me tickets Mr. T?

guys, its fine. let the sabres fans get cocky. thats just what we want

Remember how insufferable the TB fans were before we hosed them in 2003?

Still, it's way too ealry to talk trash. We don't even know how these games will be officiated ("new" or "old" rules)

Do Sabre fans think we're slow or something? :amazed:

Do Sabre fans think we're slow or something? :amazed:

It's not that. They are proud of their team and rightfully so.

It's similar to TB's mentality in 2003. They think that our defense consists Madden's line and hooking. Madden gets alot of attention when he goes up against other teams' top forwards, because of that, teams think we can shut down a 1 super-line, but can't handle 2 or 3 lines of balanced offense.

They could be right, their record speaks to quality hockey, and there's nothing to prevent them from beating us...

...but we have heard these arguments before.

It's not that. They are proud of their team and rightfully so.

It's similar to TB's mentality in 2003. They think that our defense consists Madden's line and hooking. Madden gets alot of attention when he goes up against other teams' top forwards, because of that, teams think we can shut down a 1 super-line, but can't handle 2 or 3 lines of balanced offense.

They could be right, their record speaks to quality hockey, and there's nothing to prevent them from beating us...

...but we have heard these arguments before.
Most of their arguments are centered around "we are so fast you'll HAVE to hook and hold" I mean we're not Philly or even NYR so I don't think that's going to be a problem. If anything I'd think we'd have the least problem with their speed of the three.

Because it’s not your system. Every team’s goal is to get the other team to play into its system. If and I say if we break the trap you will be forced to skate in a system we have played 81 games successfully. Not to mention besides Ottawa and Detroit there is no team that can go end to end with us. We are to balanced and to fast.

And in the same breath there is really no team that can go end to end on the Devils. And before you suggest the Sabres can, keep in mind the Sabres scored just nine goals in four games against the Devils D.


By the way I don’t have any illusions of having the skill level of Detroit or Ottawa. But we can skate with them.
People said we couldn't skate with the Red Wings in the 1995 SC finals, but we crushed them in four games.

We have more speed than you think, alot more. And also, speed has never scared the Devils.

haha hearing some of these sabre fans, i kinda wanna play them. cant wait for the first time that gomer/gio blows right by one of their defenseman...

What makes Buffalo scary is that now that they're healthy they have two real scoring lines. The Sabres have five players with 20+ goals and would have had two more if Connelly and Dumont weren't injured. It's a lot easier for the Madden line to focus on one line, even if Forsberg or Jagr is on it.

One of the advantages of splitting up the egg line is that Elias, Brylin and Langenbrunner can shut down a scoring almost as well as the Madden line. I do think the Sabres could take advantage of the 4th line matches, especially with home ice.


And about the Devils clutch and grab trap...

DEVILS v SABRES
10/28 NJ win 3-2
*NJ has 6 minors [3 by suckbags no longer with the team] - 1 hooking/ 1 boarding/ 1 holding/ 1 stick holding/ 1 tripping/ 1 high-sticking
*BUF has 3 minors - 1 stick holding/ 1 high-sticking/ 1 delay of game

11/15 BUF win 1-4
*NJ has 4 minors [2 by Darren Langdon] - 2 holding/ 1 broken stick/ 1 tripping
*BUF has 6 minors - 2 hooking/ 2 tripping/ 2 holding

1/7 NJ win 3-2
*NJ has 1 minor - 1 hooking & 2 majors :D
*BUF has 1 minor - 1 goaltender interference & 2 majors

4/30 NJ win 3-1
*NJ has 2 minors - 1 too many men on ice/ 1 boarding
*BUF has 3 minor - 1 roughing/ 1 hooking/ 1 high-sticking

It looks like the Devils can stay out of the penalty box when they play (and even beat) the Sabres.

What makes Buffalo scary is that now that they're healthy they have two real scoring lines. The Sabres have five players with 20+ goals and would have had two more if Connelly and Dumont weren't injured. It's a lot easier for the Madden line to focus on one line, even if Forsberg or Jagr is on it.

One of the advantages of splitting up the egg line is that Elias, Brylin and Langenbrunner can shut down a scoring almost as well as the Madden line. I do think the Sabres could take advantage of the 4th line matches, especially with home ice.


And about the Devils clutch and grab trap...

DEVILS v SABRES
10/28 NJ win 3-2
*NJ has 6 minors [3 by suckbags no longer with the team] - 1 hooking/ 1 boarding/ 1 holding/ 1 stick holding/ 1 tripping/ 1 high-sticking
*BUF has 3 minors - 1 stick holding/ 1 high-sticking/ 1 delay of game

11/15 BUF win 1-4
*NJ has 4 minors [2 by Darren Langdon] - 2 holding/ 1 broken stick/ 1 tripping
*BUF has 6 minors - 2 hooking/ 2 tripping/ 2 holding

1/7 NJ win 3-2
*NJ has 1 minor - 1 hooking & 2 majors :D
*BUF has 1 minor - 1 goaltender interference & 2 majors

4/30 NJ win 3-1
*NJ has 2 minors - 1 too many men on ice/ 1 boarding
*BUF has 3 minor - 1 roughing/ 1 hooking/ 1 high-sticking

It looks like the Devils can stay out of the penalty box when they play (and even beat) the Sabres.
You forget how we somehow bribed the refs or something, what's the Buffalo argument? "We're too good to lose without the refs screwing us?"

Not true.
I just think the trap has always bordered on interference/obstruction. It can be played clean but when speed starts breaking holes in its scheme you start clutching and grabbing a little more than not.
The scheme is intended to frustrate the opposition into taking penalties. And it most certainly does. But if you keep your head and have a team as fast as ours you will be forced to either skate with us (which won’t bode well for you) or start clutching.


Honestly, Do you think Gomez, Gionta, Parise, Brylin, Elias, Langenbrunner, Madden, Pandolfo and Marshall are going to have a problem skating with any Team in the League? Buffalo's team speed, I honestly could care-a-less about. Devils will own 5-5 play vs the Sabres I'll promise you that....Buffalo's special teams scare me a bit they are top 3 in both PK and PP...That being said;

You do realize your team takes more penalties per game than the Devils do, right????

You do realize, the ENTIRE *** NHL takes more penalties per game than the Devils do, Right?

You do realize the Devils are 3-1 vs. Buffalo this season, Right?

And before the ONE win you had this season during the Devils dark days November you were riding an 11 game winless streak vs New Jersey, Right? (0-8-3 against the Devils since a 2-1 win at Buffalo on Jan. 12, 2002)

I really think we are playing Philly or NYR in the First round anyway.

Honestly, Do you think Gomez, Gionta, Parise, Brylin, Elias, Langenbrunner, Madden, Pandolfo and Marshall are going to have a problem skating with any Team in the League? Buffalo's team speed, I honestly could care-a-less about. Devils will own 5-5 play vs the Sabres I'll promise you that....Buffalo's special teams scare me a bit they are top 3 in both PK and PP...That being said;
I really think we are playing Philly or NYR in the First round anyway.You are right. New Jersey is a very fast team. The Devils are also a very good physical team.

Yahoo Latest Power Rankings are interesting: These are 2 days old

http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/news?slug=mr-powerrankings041406&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

Has any Devils team ever beaten any Rangers team in the Playoffs?

Has any Devils team ever beaten any Rangers team in the Playoffs?

Nope, lost in 91-92, 93-94 and 96-97.

Bottom line Devils fans hear this.
I honestly think your team is stronger than anyone we (Sabres) could play in the first round and my desire to play you in the first round is based solely on my opinion that if we can beat you guys were going deep. I guess if I gotta fight a bunch of guys in a row, I want the biggest baldest guy first. Why wait and get worn down by others before going at it with the real threat. I think the flyers are tough but they wish they were as good as you. As for the rest, without a hot goalie they don’t scare me.

Bottom line Devils fans hear this.
I honestly think your team is stronger than anyone we (Sabres) could play in the first round and my desire to play you in the first round is based solely on my opinion that if we can beat you guys were going deep. I guess if I gotta fight a bunch of guys in a row, I want the biggest baldest guy first. Why wait and get worn down by others before going at it with the real threat. I think the flyers are tough but they wish they were as good as you. As for the rest, without a hot goalie they don’t scare me.
I would say the exact same thing about the Sabres...if we didn't have a good chance of knocking the Rangers or the Flyers out of the playoffs. In a case like that, just finishing one of those two while you finished the other would just make my season. I could live without the cup if that scenario played out (it would be nice though).

Bottom line Devils fans hear this.
I honestly think your team is stronger than anyone we (Sabres) could play in the first round and my desire to play you in the first round is based solely on my opinion that if we can beat you guys were going deep. I guess if I gotta fight a bunch of guys in a row, I want the biggest baldest guy first. Why wait and get worn down by others before going at it with the real threat. I think the flyers are tough but they wish they were as good as you. As for the rest, without a hot goalie they don’t scare me.
I agree with you 100%, if you beat us - if we played in the first round - the sky is the limit for the Sabres and will be tough to beat.

I want no part of the Sabres right now. They are the only team in the East that is playing near our level at this moment. On another topic does anyone have the NHL TV package? with their special offer of $49 for the playoffs I'm thinking about getting it how many games do they show in the 1st 2 rds? almost all of them? or just like half...

guys, its fine. let the sabres fans get cocky. thats just what we want
What do cocky Fans have to do with who Wins/Loses the game(s) :dunno:

What do cocky Fans have to do with who Wins/Loses the game(s) :dunno:



nothing at all, itll just be all the more sweeter when we beat you guys :p:

nothing at all, itll just be all the more sweeter when we beat you guys :p:
Over-confidence is what we like to see............ :razz:

Now, now . . . let's not get cocky, Sabres fans. Let us try to improve our image on these boards, eh? After the Tucker incident . . . . . we've gone downhill. :teach:

I'll be honest - any goalie named Brodeur scares me. Plus, NJ plays that style of game that seems to give the Sabres fits. Elias, Gomez, and Gionta could do some damage. Simply put, I don't want to see the Devils in the first round. But if that's what happens, then so be it.

Meanwhile, up by Lake Erie, Buffalo are hitting their stride at the exact right time. They're getting back to the things that made them successful in the majority of the regular season: hard work, timely scoring from four lines, and excellent goaltending.

If the NHL holds their officials to the "higher standard" they were calling in the regular season, then I'd run for the hills if I were a Devils fan.

That said, good luck to NJ in the playoffs (except if you face Buffalo).

If the NHL holds their officials to the "higher standard" they were calling in the regular season, then I'd run for the hills if I were a Devils fan.




I agree with the rest of your post, but what you stated above does not make sense FACTUALLY speaking.

If you want to deal with the FACTS, the Devils have taken the least amount of penalties. The refs are not going to bother the Devils, because the Devils are the most disciplined team in the league in that regard.

If the refs call things the way they have this season, the Sabres would be in trouble. The Sabres have been shorthanded almost 100 more times than the Devils have.

If the NHL holds their officials to the "higher standard" they were calling in the regular season, then I'd run for the hills if I were a Devils fan.

First off, the Sabres and Canes are the class of the East Conference (since the both the Sens goalies are injured). I don't want the Devils to play them in the first round, but this clutch-n-grab Devils fantasy is just goofy.

Three teams in the NHL have been short-handed less then 400 times.
1) Devils 344
2) Bolts 386
3) Sharks 394
4) Sabres 434

The Devils have 3rd biggest penalty differential in the NHL and some fans get cranky when their team gets more penalties then the Devils. Boo-friggin-Hoo.
1) Carolina -231
2) Kings -215
3) Devils -214
4) Bolts -184
5) Sharks -178
8) Sabres -94

If the NHL holds their officials to the "higher standard" they were calling in the regular season, then I'd run for the hills if I were a Devils fan.

That said, good luck to NJ in the playoffs (except if you face Buffalo).


If you want to deal with the FACTS, the Devils have taken the least amount of penalties. The refs are not going to bother the Devils, because the Devils are the most disciplined team in the league in that regard.

If the refs call things the way they have this season, the Sabres would be in trouble. The Sabres have been shorthanded almost 100 more times than the Devils have. Buffalo is very good at not getting penalized. They are ranked 27th in Times Short-Handed, which is a caterory a team doesn't want to lead. That is really good. However, the Devils are 30th in that category.

RK TEAM GP TSH
1 CHI 81 546
2 WAS 80 534
3 NAS 81 526
4 PIT 80 520
5 CLB 81 518
6 PHO 82 513
7 VAN 82 512
8 FLO 81 509
9 ANA 81 502
10 CLG 81 495
11 DAL 80 494
12 TOR 81 489
13 LAK 81 484
14 ATL 80 482
15 NYR 81 481
16 BOS 82 479
17 EDM 81 476
18 OTT 81 475
19 MTL 81 474
20 NYI 80 470
21 STL 81 461
22 PHI 81 459
23 DET 80 449
24 COL 81 445
25 CAR 81 438
26 MIN 82 436
27 BUF 81 434
28 SJS 81 394
29 TBL 81 387
30 NJD 81 345

Yes, but NJD has been shorthanded almost 100 less times than Buffalo. Buffalo's stats are very good.....but NJD's is, by a significant margin, the best. So for someone to come on here and cry about NJ clutching and grabbing.....it's not there. In fact, the stats show the exact opposite.

ok this thread has somehow descended into arguing over stats that i hardly doubt will apply in a possible series between buffalo and new jersey... lindy ruff runs a very disciplined program. buffalo knows when not to take penalties, and lindy isn't afraid to bench people making stupid decisions.

if this series happens it is going to be very tight and could very well go either way. arguing one team's dominance over the other is stupid, you should know better than to turn this into a fanboy argument. if it happens we're going to be treated to a great series, probably the best in the first round, maybe the best of the entire playoffs depending on what else happens.

in conclusion - neither team is to be taken lightly, buffalo has 108 points right now for a reason, and the devils have 99 for a reason.

Guys stop bringing up relavent stats, we all know that the refs will decide any playoff series concerning the Devils. If they want to have a boring, horrible, disgusting, stupid, silly, mean, poo poo, trap game then they'll let the big bad evil Devils win. If they want fun exciting goals with the pretty red light going round and round and the funny sound coming out, they the Devils will lose. Why even watch, its Devils + refs vs. any opponent! Oh no, I better be quiet, the NHL authorities might take me away for uncovering this conspiracy.

Bring on Philly boys...

I want revenge for what happened 2 years ago...

We already beat them silly twice this week in important games...we're in their head...especially Brodeur's performances!

I smell blood...Let's go for the kill...

k

Bring on Philly boys...

I want revenge for what happened 2 years ago...

We already beat them silly twice this week in important games...we're in their head...especially Brodeur's performances!

I smell blood...Let's go for the kill...

k
We have won 5 of the last 6 against them outscoring them something like 15-6. We've also done well against the Rangers, I am rooting for one of those two teams because beating Buffalo just doesn't do it for me cause I like the team...the fans that complain about 'boring obstruction filled hockey' are really trying to change that though and Buffalo seems to have a lot of them.

I believe Philly also plays the trap, just not as good as we do. ;)

Yeah, they very well might, but like some others have said, Philly [sans Jani P] is hella slow on defense. Good luck in the Rags series, though to be perfectly honest, I'd say the same thing to them [but I won't, 'cause yeah]. It's the playoffs, and as the animosity builds, so should the respect.