The East is the Beast (Best)....

Looking at standings I just realized we're tied with Anaheim and have passed San Jose....Who would have thought? Just look at the East, teams like Pittsburgh, Tampa and Toronto are on a tear. Buffalo is still the team to beat in my opinion if healthy, the Canes are still the champs and Ottawa is always dangerous. The only team that seems to have taken a step back is Montreal and I see the Leafs taking their spot. All this talk about the west being superior is nonsense. The East is still the beast.

If our offense was consistent, especially from our well compensated Captain, then we'd be a sure bet to not only come out of the East, but to contend for the Cup as well.

We also really, really, really need to work on special teams: We're 12th on the PP & have fallen down to 7th on the PK. And we're 30th, dead last in short handed goals with....... 1

But people seem to be content with squeaking by not only the upper tier teams, but also the bottom teams as well.

That's not very good.

This has the makings of a 1st or 2nd round playoff exit.

The East is still the beast.

I guess if you just look at the standings you are correct. Wouldn't the best way to measure it be from head to head records?

The West vs East: 63-34-10
The East vs West: 44-48-15

If our offense was consistent, especially from our well compensated Captain, then we'd be a sure bet to not only come out of the East, but to contend for the Cup as well.


Can you give it a rest already?

I guess if you just look at the standings you are correct. Wouldn't the best way to measure it be from head to head records?

The West vs East: 63-34-10
The East vs West: 44-48-15

Although those numbers do speak volumes, I would like to see the records of the home & away games for the inter-conference matchups. It is much easier to play a game out east if you're a western team, than for a east team to play a game in the west.

Assuming a 7pm start time for all games in local time, if a team from the Eastern time zone plays a game in the Pacific time zone, it's the equivalent of playing a game at 10pm. For a team from the Pacific time zone coming east, it's like playing a game at 4pm. Granted, there are other factors out there, and everyone experiences jetlag in different ways, but I wonder if it effects anything.

Let's have a look here guys.

The Carolina Hurricanes won the cup in 2006, Southeast divison, EASTERN conference

2004-2005-lockout.

The Tampa Bay Lightning won the cup in 2004, Southeast division, EASTERN conference.

The New Jersey Devils won the cup in 2003, Atlantic division, EASTERN conference.

So there you have it, facts don't lie, the Eastern conference in the better conference.

I guess if you just look at the standings you are correct. Wouldn't the best way to measure it be from head to head records?

The West vs East: 63-34-10
The East vs West: 44-48-15

Your probably right, but teams play so few games out of their conference that those records can be skewed.
For Example:
Philly is 4-2-1 vs. the West
NJ is 2-6-2 vs the West (due to one scary bad road trip)

Can you give it a rest already?

Not sure what you mean.

Try contributing something in this thread, instead of complaining about what others post.

Not sure what you mean.

Try contributing something in this thread, instead of complaining about what others post.

Seemingly all of your posts take a shot at Elias and his captaincy. It's getting really old and really tiring - yeah we get it, you don't think Elias is doing the job as captain. You don't need to keep harkening back to it in completely unrelated threads.

Not sure what you mean.

Try contributing something in this thread, instead of complaining about what others post.

Stop whining about Elias in almost every thread. And how is your post more on topic than his? Brooklyndevil was talking about the entire east vs. west and how it seems like the east now looks like a stronger conference. You started talking about the Devils and dumped on Elias.

Same old Devils.

Quietly, methodically finding their place at the top of the league yet again this year.

Your team's consistency is amazing...and of course, overlooked or underrated on HF, per usual.

I've watched your team closely all year. I honestly think you have as good/better a chance as any team to come out of the East this spring.

Stop whining about Elias in almost every thread. And how is your post more on topic than his? Brooklyndevil was talking about the entire east vs. west and how it seems like the east now looks like a stronger conference. You started talking about the Devils and dumped on Elias.

If your content with just winning the "East", then I guess you should be angry.

This is the Devils. Not Buffalo, Ottawa or Atlanta. Just winning the 'East' might be a lofty goal for them.

Besides, this team perhaps might not win the East. If you read the post, you also would have noticed that it included a discussion on special teams & scoring. Something that we saw was key to winning the "east" & the Stanley Cup too.

Just because you have this Elias love-fest going on, doesn't mean that eveyone is satisfied in how the way he is performing.

I guess this is all you want to hear:

Elias is fine. The offense is fine. The team is clicking right now and is unbeatable.

The Devils will win the Stanley Cup.

CLOSE THREAD

Same old Devils.

Quietly, methodically finding their place at the top of the league yet again this year.

Your team's consistency is amazing...and of course, overlooked or underrated on HF, per usual.

I've watched your team closely all year. I honestly think you have as good/better a chance as any team to come out of the East this spring.

We said that last year when we closed the season with an 11 game winning streak coupled with a 4-game sweep of the NYR.

But then we ran into a team that beat us because of their power play.

Our pp is just about to fall out of the top 1/3 of the league and our pk is down to #7 now

As we found outwith Carolina last year, the best power play now more than ever will determine the Stanley Cup winner.

The Devils are 6th in the NHL and 2nd in the Eastern Conference in special teams goal differential. That's the sum of power play goals for and short-handed goals for added together with power play goals allowed and short-handed goals allowed subtract (PPGF+SHG-PPGA-SHGA.)

Here is the top six:

1.SJS +33
2.MTL +20
3.NAS +19
4.ANA +18
5.VAN +12
6.NJD +10

The Devils special teams, overall, is an asset. Despite last night's game, the Devils are still first in the NHL with fewest times short-handed, 188. Tampa Bay is second with 215. The Devils are also first in fewest power play goals allowed, 29. Vancouver is second with 34.

The Devils are 6th in the NHL and 2nd in the Eastern Conference in special teams goal differential. That's the sum of power play goals for and short-handed goals for added together with power play goals allowed and short-handed goals allowed subtract (PPGF+SHG-PPGA-SHGA.)

Here is the top six:

1.SJS +33
2.MTL +20
3.NAS +19
4.ANA +18
5.VAN +12
6.NJD +10

The Devils special teams, overall, is an asset. Despite last night's game, the Devils are still first in the NHL with fewest times short-handed, 188. Tampa Bay is second with 215. The Devils are also first in fewest power play goals allowed, 29. Vancouver is second with 34.

Regular season is different from the playoffs.

Last year in the playoffs, the PK was ranked 14th out of 16 (75.6%). And our PP was just as bad: 12th out off 16 (17.6%)

I don't think goal differential means anything in this situation as our special teams seem to be getting worse. Right now from a percentage standpoint, our PP stands at #12 (and falling) at 17.6%. The PK is now down to #7 at 84.5%

We're also the only team with just 1 short handed goal. That's dead last. 30th out of 30.

With the way our offense has been all season, there's no reason to believe our special teams will improve during the playoffs.

What in the world does last playoff have to do with now?

Besides, PP/PK is a crapshoot for the most part. It ebs and flows and hopefully we get on a good run heading into the playoffs. Yes, right now our PP is falling, but it will likely start climbing again, just like it usually does.

We said that last year when we closed the season with an 11 game winning streak coupled with a 4-game sweep of the NYR.

But then we ran into a team that beat us because of their power play.

Our pp is just about to fall out of the top 1/3 of the league and our pk is down to #7 now

As we found outwith Carolina last year, the best power play now more than ever will determine the Stanley Cup winner.

No offense intended, but I don't care what "we" said last year. (Who is "we"? Do fans vote as a block? :sarcasm: ).

I offered my opinion, based on my observation. Likewise, I do not need insipid stats (on Feb. 7th, no less) to come to my conclusion.

I need my own two eyes. And I've seen a highly resourceful team that finds many different ways to win.

Feel free to disagree.

Regular season is different from the playoffs.

Last year in the playoffs, the PK was ranked 14th out of 16 (75.6%). And our PP was just as bad: 12th out off 16 (17.6%)

I don't think goal differential means anything in this situation as our special teams seem to be getting worse. Right now from a percentage standpoint, our PP stands at #12 (and falling) at 17.6%. The PK is now down to #7 at 84.5%

We're also the only team with just 1 short handed goal. That's dead last. 30th out of 30.

With the way our offense has been all season, there's no reason to believe our special teams will improve during the playoffs.

But if, as you say, regular season is different from the playoffs why is there no reason to believe that our special teams will improve during the playoffs?

Oh, and I've been very impressed by Patrik Elias's first season as captain; just look at our record and the seeming harmony in the camp. On many occasions he has obviously been putting in that little extra effort to inspire the troops. Sure, he would have hoped for more personal points but he leads the team in scoring and 80 plus is still likely. Possibly trying a little too hard, but overall a B+ (very good first effort).

No offense intended, but I don't care what "we" said last year. (Who is "we"? Do fans vote as a block? :sarcasm: ).

I offered my opinion, based on my observation. Likewise, I do not need insipid stats (on Feb. 7th, no less) to come to my conclusion.

I need my own two eyes. And I've seen a highly resourceful team that finds many different ways to win.

Feel free to disagree.

Wow, no need to be so touchy.

My mistake for responding.

But if, as you say, regular season is different from the playoffs why is there no reason to believe that our special teams will improve during the playoffs?

Oh, and I've been very impressed by Patrik Elias's first season as captain; just look at our record and the seeming harmony in the camp. On many occasions he has obviously been putting in that little extra effort to inspire the troops. Sure, he would have hoped for more personal points but he leads the team in scoring and 80 plus is still likely. Possibly trying a little too hard, but overall a B+ (very good first effort).

Yeah but what is different about this team than last year? What changes have been made to improve this team?

Yeah but what is different about this team than last year? What changes have been made to improve this team?

Aside from Zajac as 2nd line center, I would argue that the fact that almost NOTHING is different from last years team (at the end of the season) is the Devils' greatest strength. Our team has incredible chemestry due to Lou getting the right players to play here, and having guys grow up together and more importantly win together. You can't "buy" the type of team we are watching now. It takes years and years of careful tweaking (not knee-jerk moves).

Aside from Zajac as 2nd line center, I would argue that the fact that almost NOTHING is different from last years team (at the end of the season) is the Devils' greatest strength. Our team has incredible chemestry due to Lou getting the right players to play here, and having guys grow up together and more importantly win together. You can't "buy" the type of team we are watching now. It takes years and years of careful tweaking (not knee-jerk moves).

yes, I understand all of that.

So you're saying that we are 2, 3+ years away from another Championship?

So you're saying that we are 2, 3+ years away from another Championship?

How did what I just posted have anything to do with being "2, 3+ years away from another championship"?

Yeah but what is different about this team than last year? What changes have been made to improve this team?
Zajac and Oduya are two big improvements. Yes they're rookies, but they've had a huge impact, especially Zajac. Last year we didn't really have a second line center.

How did what I just posted have anything to do with being "2, 3+ years away from another championship"?

Why?

Because going on the assumption that despite stellar goaltending and a top-notch, underrated defense, we have lost a lot of character & skill on the blue line since our last Championship....almost 4 years ago.

Couple that with a first round loss to the Flyers in 2004 and hitting a brick wall against Carolina last year, what convinces you that this team has depth to win the Stanley Cup this year?

In the past, we would be able to say that we have 3 or 4 solid,consistent lines, excellent goaltending, an all-star defense, a proven winner at Captain that could make incredible hits that change the momentum of a series, coaches with a track record of success, etc.

What do we have this year?

Zajac and Oduya are two big improvements. Yes they're rookies, but they've had a huge impact, especially Zajac. Last year we didn't really have a second line center.

lol,:D I'm not complaining about them.

Why?

Because going on the assumption that despite stellar goaltending and a top-notch, underrated defense, we have lost a lot of character & skill on the blue line since our last Championship....almost 4 years ago.

Couple that with a first round loss to the Flyers in 2004 and hitting a brick wall against Carolina last year, what convinces you that this team has depth to win the Stanley Cup this year?

In the past, we would be able to say that we have 3 or 4 solid,consistent lines, excellent goaltending, an all-star defense, a proven winner at Captain that could make incredible hits that change the momentum of a series, coaches with a track record of success, etc.

What do we have this year?

We don't have any of that, but we still have arguably the best team in the east. Go figure!

Difference between this year and last year:

-A more cohesive unit

-A markedly better Zach Parise

-A big improvement at second line center with Travis Zajac

-The addition of Sergei Brylin to a form a more offensively deft third line

-Johnny Oduya's emergence on the defense

-Brad Lukowich's steady improvement

-Martin Brodeur's lights out play

This is just a bunch of things. I don't understand why this team needed to change all that much. Looking around a lot of other teams in the East got worse and the Devils are one of the few so far to get better.

Difference between this year and last year:

-A more cohesive unit

-A markedly better Zach Parise

-A big improvement at second line center with Travis Zajac

-The addition of Sergei Brylin to a form a more offensively deft third line

-Johnny Oduya's emergence on the defense

-Brad Lukowich's steady improvement

-Martin Brodeur's lights out play

This is just a bunch of things. I don't understand why this team needed to change all that much. Looking around a lot of other teams in the East got worse and the Devils are one of the few so far to get better.

yeah but counterproductive to all this is Giontas' drop off from last year

yeah but counterproductive to all this is Giontas' drop off from last year

Gionta is still on pace for 36 goals (he'll probably finish w/ around 40). He's playing very solid hockey and doesn't erase the contributions of the aforementioned players.

yeah but counterproductive to all this is Giontas' drop off from last year
Gionta's scoring is down because that whole line isn't clicking like they did a year ago. I think if they start rolling they they have in the past we'll have two really dangerous lines come the playoffs.

Gionta is still on pace for 36 goals (he'll probably finish w/ around 40). He's playing very solid hockey and doesn't erase the contributions of the aforementioned players.

yeah, I understand that but as much as I love this team, I don't think we have enough to win 16 games come April.

That's my opinion. I hope I'm wrong.

Gionta's scoring is down because that whole line isn't clicking like they did a year ago. I think if they start rolling they they have in the past we'll have two really dangerous lines come the playoffs.

There in lies the problem. :dunno:

I think this team needs some sort of 'impact' trade. The last time being in the summer of 2002 when we got Langenbrunner, Friesen.

Probably will happen in the offseaon or beyond. Until then, I think we are a player or two short.

Why?

Because going on the assumption that despite stellar goaltending and a top-notch, underrated defense, we have lost a lot of character & skill on the blue line since our last Championship....almost 4 years ago.

Couple that with a first round loss to the Flyers in 2004 and hitting a brick wall against Carolina last year, what convinces you that this team has depth to win the Stanley Cup this year?

The fact that this team is on pace for about 108 points and has arguably not even peaked yet? Sorry to sound like an eternal optimist but this team has proven it has what it takes to win the cup probably more than any other team in the league right now. Does Carolina have the "depth" to win the cup this year since they're only 8 months removed from their victory?

In the past, we would be able to say that we have 3 or 4 solid,consistent lines, excellent goaltending, an all-star defense, a proven winner at Captain that could make incredible hits that change the momentum of a series, coaches with a track record of success, etc.

What do we have this year?

3 excelent lines, a great coach who isn't confrontational or egotistical and lets these responsible hard working players play, an MVP candidate goaltender, a mobile defense that has proven it can step up its play in times of need, the experience and leadership it takes to win in the playoffs, the emotion and fire inside it takes to excel in the playoffs.

BTW, coaches with a track record of success? Lemaire didn't have much of a "track record" before coaching the Devils to the Stanley Cup and neither did Larry Robinson, not by a longshot.

There in lies the problem. :dunno:

Or you can look at it the way everyone else is and see how the team is on pace for 108 points with a vastly underachieving first line. If that line ever gets clicking, the team would theoretically be unstoppable.

Or you can look at it the way everyone else is and see how the team is on pace for 108 points with a vastly underachieving first line. If that line ever gets clicking, the team would theoretically be unstoppable.
In 2003 we had the same problem. And frankly, Elias and Gomez spent the whole 2003 playoffs pretty quiet. It was Langenbrunner and Friesen who carried the team then. The fact is we have the offensive ability that even if a few players suddenly dissapear, the rest of the the team can keep up the slack. The recent games, with the EGG line vanishing but the PZL line putting up the points and winning games, demonstrate that the team can win even when a few players are struggling.

Teams needs to have all lines rolling in the playoffs to go all the way. Championships are made with timing as well as skill.

Edit: quoted wrong post, sorry DK.

Edit: quoted wrong post, sorry DK.

No problem. You basically reinforced my thoughts anyway.

In 2003 we had the same problem. And frankly, Elias and Gomez spent the whole 2003 playoffs pretty quiet. It was Langenbrunner and Friesen who carried the team then. The fact is we have the offensive ability that even if a few players suddenly dissapear, the rest of the the team can keep up the slack. The recent games, with the EGG line vanishing but the PZL line putting up the points and winning games, demonstrate that the team can win even when a few players are struggling.

Teams needs to have all lines rolling in the playoffs to go all the way. Championships are made with timing as well as skill.

Edit: quoted wrong post, sorry DK.

Exactly. We've never had that consistency since 2000 & 2001. In 2003 it was Langs & Fries to balance out a streaky offense.

But...

That team had a healthy & effective leader & captain

a fading warrior that was an effective presence in the locker room and rose to the occasion during Game 7 and then humbly retired

The best skating defenseman in the NHL who was money on the PP and our best all-arond defenseman.

The best skating defenseman in the NHL who was money on the PP and our best all-arond defenseman.

Dude our PP was #30 out of 30 in 2003.

The fact that this team is on pace for about 108 points and has arguably not even peaked yet? Sorry to sound like an eternal optimist but this team has proven it has what it takes to win the cup probably more than any other team in the league right now. Does Carolina have the "depth" to win the cup this year since they're only 8 months removed from their victory?



3 excelent lines, a great coach who isn't confrontational or egotistical and lets these responsible hard working players play, an MVP candidate goaltender, a mobile defense that has proven it can step up its play in times of need, the experience and leadership it takes to win in the playoffs, the emotion and fire inside it takes to excel in the playoffs.

BTW, coaches with a track record of success? Lemaire didn't have much of a "track record" before coaching the Devils to the Stanley Cup and neither did Larry Robinson, not by a longshot.

Knowing the history of the Devils, going back to 1994, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2002, 2004 & last year, 100 point seasons mean nothing in the postseason.

Come on, you know that.

And Pat Burns was probably the best candidate, other than Scotty Bowman, to get the most out of that 2003 team. He is arguably the best coach the team ever had based on his resume.

I thought the best fit for this team was John MacLean, but Lamoriello didn't think so, so I'll go with what ever he thinks.

Dude our PP was #30 out of 30 in 2003.

...but our PK was #1

It's #7 now and falling. It was our PK that failed us against Carolina last year.

I thought the best fit for this team was John MacLean, but Lamoriello didn't think so, so I'll go with what ever he thinks.

yeah, he's the heir-apparent when Julien goes.

Knowing the history of the Devils, going back to 1994, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2002, 2004 & last year, 100 point seasons mean nothing in the postseason.

Come on, you know that.

...means nothing? What does that have anything to do with what I said? Sorry to make an accusation but I'm starting to believe you don't have very good reading comprehension skills because over the last few days you have mis-interpreted a good half-dozen of my posts. It's either that or you just pick out what you want to see in a post and respond to that, disregarding the intended meaning of the post itself.

And Pat Burns was probably the best candidate, other than Scotty Bowman, to get the most out of that 2003 team. He is arguably the best coach the team ever had based on his resume.

Ok but you said that we had a tradition of having coaches who were experienced in winning while in reality the Devils do not.

...but our PK was #1

It's #7 now and falling. It was our PK that failed us against Carolina last year.

No, we just got beat by a superior team.

No, we just got beat by a superior team.

Yeah, exactly. They had a superior power play. Don't you remember Bettman's mandate at the start of the playoffs that all the refs would call EVERYTHING now? They beat us because of 9 PP goals in 5 games. That was the backbreaker. They had the best PP percentage & most goals scored by far in the postseason.

Yeah, exactly. They had a superior power play. Don't you remember Bettman's mandate at the start of the playoffs that all the refs would call EVERYTHING now? They beat us because of 9 PP goals in 5 games. That was the backbreaker. They had the best PP percentage & most goals scored by far in the postseason.
You're right, that's the only reason they won. The playoffs are nothing more than a PP/PK competition, we should quit practicing 5 on 5 all together. I guess that's the only way to win the cup in the "new NHL." I mean come on, it's a fact that 100% of the teams in the "new NHL" to win the cup had the #1 PP.

Yeah, exactly. They had a superior power play. Don't you remember Bettman's mandate at the start of the playoffs that all the refs would call EVERYTHING now? They beat us because of 9 PP goals in 5 games. That was the backbreaker. They had the best PP percentage & most goals scored by far in the postseason.

Last season special teams; Carolina PP 17.9% PK 81.8%.
New Jersey PP 17.8% PK 81.9%.

The backbreaker was game one and the let up in the Devils psychology following the storming stretch run to win the division, sweep of the Rangers and the long lay-off between series that it led to.

The Devs had been flying and it proved too much to get back to having to grind it out in a real series again. Carolina took all their chances and the series was over before Jersey realised it was there to be won and lost, basically an ambush.

The Carolina series ended with that hearbreaking goal by Staal in game 2.

The Carolina series ended with that hearbreaking goal by Staal in game 2.
Agreed.

I don't think goal differential means anything in this situation as our special teams seem to be getting worse. Right now from a percentage standpoint, our PP stands at #12 (and falling) at 17.6%. The PK is now down to #7 at 84.5%Do you understand the fact that the New Jersey Devils have given up the fewest power play goals? That's a lot more important than PK%. Can you comprehend that? Let's do some basic math my friend. Pay attention now.

Which is better,

A.) Killing 88.8% of 304 times shorthanded,
B.) Or killing 84.8% of 187 times shorthanded?

I would chose "B" because that results in only 29 power play goals allowed, or 0.537 per game. Choice "A" results in 34 goals, or 0.629 per game. You can have that if it makes you feel better.

The Carolina series ended with that hearbreaking goal by Staal in game 2.

Yeah, that was a big momentum swing. But I still think it was their potent PP that did us in and got them the Cup. Isn't that part of why they now have a diving reputation too?

Carolina on the PP

Game 1: 5 for 8
Game 2: 1 for 5
Game 3: 3 for 5
Game 4: 0 for 4
Game 5 1 for 2

I remember Game 1 being completely horrible for the Devils. They had a long rest and came back really sloppy. They were just completely flat. It would of been a lot different if we had won game 2.

I remember Game 1 being completely horrible for the Devils. They had a long rest and came back really sloppy. They were just completely flat. It would of been a lot different if we had won game 2.I agree fully. There is no way that we will ever know, but I like the Devils' chances much better if the head back to East Rutherford with the series tied 1-1.