Playoffs: Who to avoid

A diversion for those tired of playing the game: Apocalypse - The Devils will lose because of X (player du jour, coach, Avian Flu, etc.) ...

Against the 10 other teams still in playoff contention, who would you LEAST like to face in a 7-game series?

Buffalo
Atlanta
Ottawa
Pittsburgh
Tampa Bay
Carolina
Rangers
Islanders
Toronto
Montreal

Since getting to the SCF will likely involve playing Buffalo at some point, I’ll volunteer Ottawa. While definitely not the same Senators as years past, this team has been flying under the radar because of a weak start and quietly running up in the standings. Being underdogs may be to their advantage as there is less pressure. Maybe not the best or deepest team in the East, still they could be a dark horse.

Tampa Bay. I'm not really sure why. They just scare me. And we had some trouble with them this year

I agree with you hebegb. I too would hate to see the Devils play Ottawa. I still remember the 8-1 loss at Ottawa back in October. That game makes Saturday's game only half the piece of **** it actually was.

Buffalo, Pittsburgh, Ottawa (in order of scariest).

They have great goaltending and even greater offense.

Buffalo doesn't scare me at all. Is that strange?

Eh, we can take all those teams. If you've been keeping track of the season series', we've done well against all, if not, most Eastern Conference teams.

Most interesting would be a NJ-Pitt playoff round. First time in playoffs with Sidney Crosby, Malkin, and their Staal...

Not to mention how much fun it would be to be the "bad guys" again.

But, again, I must stress, the Devils should want the toughest playoff matchups they can get. Why? Because they end up being the most fun.

Eh, we can take all those teams. If you've been keeping track of the season series', we've done well against all, if not, most Eastern Conference teams.

Most interesting would be a NJ-Pitt playoff round. First time in playoffs with Sidney Crosby, Malkin, and their Staal...

Not to mention how much fun it would be to be the "bad guys" again.

But, again, I must stress, the Devils should want the toughest playoff matchups they can get. Why? Because they end up being the most fun.

and they would just underestimate a team that they deem "easy"

Buffalo doesn't scare me at all. Is that strange?

Eh, not really. We would definitely be the underdog in the series. But we've proven we can beat them if we're on our game.

and they would just underestimate a team that they deem "easy"

If Pitt thinks we're "easy" then hell, good for them. Cuz come playoffs and a healthy Devils team, they may be in for quite the suprise.

If Pitt thinks we're "easy" then hell, good for them. Cuz come playoffs and a healthy Devils team, they may be in for quite the suprise.

No I mean the Devils might think other teams are easy. Like say we get the Isles first round. (we are 2nd they are 7th) we will probably underestimate them since we have done so well all season against them.

No I mean the Devils might think other teams are easy. Like say we get the Isles first round. (we are 2nd they are 7th) we will probably underestimate them since we have done so well all season against them.

I doubt that. They haven't underestimated them all year. But looking at the Isles now... and you see a team in a freefall with no parachute.

I agree with the posters above who said Ottawa. Ottawa has a a lot of dangerous forwards and our inability to do well against bad goalies scares me.

I doubt that. They haven't underestimated them all year. But looking at the Isles now... and you see a team in a freefall with no parachute.

Yeah true. But I guess my point is, look how we have underestimated teams all year. Like Boston and Washington for example.

Buffalo, Pittsburgh, Ottawa (in order of scariest).

They have great goaltending and even greater offense.

That looks like a good list. However with Pittsburgh threatening to take the #2 spot, it is increasingly possible that the Devils play these 3 teams in reverse order (shudders).

I have no preference who the Devils play. When they're on the game they can beat anyone, and eventually you have to beat the best to win the Cup.

A diversion for those tired of playing the game: Apocalypse - The Devils will lose because of X (player du jour, coach, Avian Flu, etc.) ...



Yeah, this who-do-you-want-to-play...topic hasn't already been covered before. But if distracts people and makes them close their eyes and make pretend make pretend that a problem doesn't exist, fine. :sarcasm:

http://hfboards.com/showthread.php?t=353273&highlight=avoid+playoffs

I have no preference who the Devils play. When they're on the game they can beat anyone, and eventually you have to beat the best to win the Cup.

Bingo.

And welcome back DF38.

I really want to see a Devils vs. Sabres playoff matchup. That would just be beyond intense.

Best offensive team vs the best defensive team

If Atlanta is on their game, that is a team I'd really like to avoid. Pittsburgh does scare me a little, but I think if we're completely healthy and on our A game, experience would prevail.

The Devils had had a strong season series against most teams in the east. They've had several bad games against Ottawa, Pittsburgh, and most recently against Carolina, but those are individual games. I'm confident that over a 7 games series, there aren't any match ups I'd truly want to avoid.

And welcome back DF38.
Thanks :)

The Devils had had a strong season series against most teams in the east. They've had several bad games against Ottawa, Pittsburgh, and most recently against Carolina, but those are individual games. I'm confident that over a 7 games series, there aren't any match ups I'd truly want to avoid.
Yup, and this team knows how to pick it up when the games count.

Atlanta is definately the scariest to me. They have the Devils number in recent meetings and their goalie is probably the best of the Eastern contenders when he brings his "A"game. Kovalchuk, Hossa and a hot Lehtonen could be a problem.
But I'm not scared...bring em' on!!!!

The only thing NJ needs to avoid is groin injuries.:help:

That looks like a good list. However with Pittsburgh threatening to take the #2 spot, it is increasingly possible that the Devils play these 3 teams in reverse order (shudders).

In fact, I'm scared of all the teams listed except the last 4. The first 6 have better offense than us (Buffalo, Atlanta, Ottawa, Pittsburgh, Tampa Bay, Carolina) and judging by the way we've been playing the last few weeks, I don't want to face anyone short of MTL, NYR, TOR or NYI :o. Our offense is terrible and our defense isn't playing up to par.

a) With a one goal lead, all we do is dump the puck in the other team's zone and play defense. We're basically killing our own momentum and intensity by giving the other team TIME to 1) tie the game and 2) take the lead. Whenever the Devils do that, they're just hanging onto Brodeur and putting all the pressure on him. If the Devils actually tried to score a few more insurance markers, we would be a better team 10x. Hell, we could be freakin #1, if only we ran a run'n'gun system combined with the trap. We know the Devils can score when they're down by a goal or two, why can't they do it when they're up by one? :shakehead :shakehead :shakehead

b) From the Devil games I've seen online lately, our defensive coverage 5 on 5 sucks. I'd rather see us on the PK cause quite frankly, we try harder and succeed far greater when there's pressure to stop a goal. We can barely do the basics, i.e. clear the puck when we have a chance to. Instead, idiot White/Martin/Luko tries to softly chip the puck off the boards and out :shakehead :shakehead :shakehead . And how about the times when Gomez turns the puck over and it's a 2 on 2 rush against us and our defenseman play tight near each other and collapse 10 seconds early? GO GET THE MAN, Brodeur doesn't need you blocking his way....

:shakehead :shakehead

Devils are a +700 to win the Cup, but I think they're more like +1200. Our awesome record is overrated as seen in the losses to Phoenix, Boston, Toronto, Pittsburgh and Carolina. Our offense is sub-par and our defense is barely getting it done. The only one performing as expected, and well beyond expectations, is Brodeur. He's the only one that can win the Cup for us :handclap: :handclap: .

idk why, but id like to avoid tampa at all costs. they scare me for some reason


against any other team im very confident

This is why I love being a Devils fan.

The team to avoid is the Devils, and the other teams have to worry about facing them.

It really doesn't matter who the Devils play.


That said, I think the toughest outs are Atlanta and Pittsburgh.

I'll add the Islanders to that list if they have a 100% healthy DiPietro, but it's starting to appear as if there is something seriously wrong with him right now.

Of who we play in the playoffs is'nt my concern right now. I'm more concerend about our team getting into it healthy and strong with gionta/madden/elias back with all rust out and into their good normal flow.

tampa, ottawa, atlanta. everyone else we can take in a 7 game series.

Avoid Atlanta & Tampa at all costs. The Devs have struggled against Atlanta since coming back from the lockout and Tampa since the '03 Cup playoffs. Those teams just have their number.

Tampa Bay. I'm not really sure why. They just scare me. And we had some trouble with them this year

I agree even when the devils didn't have SARS, Tampa would kick our you know what

and I would also be wary of our friends at the Garden, they are playin good

This is why I love being a Devils fan.

The team to avoid is the Devils, and the other teams have to worry about facing them.

It really doesn't matter who the Devils play.


That said, I think the toughest outs are Atlanta and Pittsburgh.

I'll add the Islanders to that list if they have a 100% healthy DiPietro, but it's starting to appear as if there is something seriously wrong with him right now.


I disagree i would want to face pitt in first round, although some scary players the devils have been most successful in the past when madden and company have a real deal #1 line to shut down. and also pittsburgh aside from last time we faced them is real weak on defense, and we need all the help we can get as far as offensive production is concerned

In all honesty, I think you guys can shut down Atlanta and Buffalo with your defense. Pittsburgh can truly bring their A-game and I think can work around your defense fairly easily. That's just my opinion.

In all honesty, I think you guys can shut down Atlanta and Buffalo with your defense. Pittsburgh can truly bring their A-game and I think can work around your defense fairly easily. That's just my opinion.

Considering we can't really shut down anyone lately, that would be a monumental task.

Ottawa worries me the most, Pittsburgh goaltending has yet to be proven IMO, they have some great playoff experience in Recchi and Roberts but not enough, playoffs is a whole different world. Devs and Sens in the conference finals with Freisen.... er Parise scoring the winner on a great centering pass from Mashall.... er Zajac in game 7. Then on to Anaheim.............;)

Any team would scare me. The lack of offense and puck possession is worrisome to say the least. With so many first year players on the team too, I think Marty is going to have to steal a bunch of games. And he has had some really bad games lately, with the game in Carolina an exception.

Any team would scare me. The lack of offense and puck possession is worrisome to say the least. With so many first year players on the team too, I think Marty is going to have to steal a bunch of games. And he has had some really bad games lately, with the game in Carolina an exception.

Hopefully he is just getting them out of his system and he will start dominating again.

Hopefully he is just getting them out of his system and he will start dominating again.

Yeah, me too. But when the other team has the puck in the Devs zone about 75-80% of the game, it is hard to win games.
Even our PP barely controls the puck.
I know there are injuries to key players, but we have too many checkers and not enough skilled players on the roster.
The other 7 teams in the East will all have two big-time offensive lines, maybe even three.

pittsburgh is all offense no defense. not really a big threat. we won the season series even after we played two terribly lackluster games versus them.

If Pitt thinks we're "easy" then hell, good for them. Cuz come playoffs and a healthy Devils team, they may be in for quite the suprise.

i guarantee you no pens fan wants to see the brick wall that is brodeur in the first round.

i guarantee you no pens fan wants to see the brick wall that is brodeur in the first round.

I agree..but anyone who's been around hockey long enough knows you fear every opponent in the playoffs or you go home...

the thing about the pens is that heres wat they do...........they get a huge streak going and look virtually unbeatable and keep winning but then they go on a stretch where they suck and look like garbage (kinda reminds you of devils last season).....that is why i dont see them going far in the playoffs regardless of whether or not they win the division which i think they will btw unfortunately.

Yeah, me too. But when the other team has the puck in the Devs zone about 75-80% of the game, it is hard to win games.
Even our PP barely controls the puck.
I know there are injuries to key players, but we have too many checkers and not enough skilled players on the roster.
The other 7 teams in the East will all have two big-time offensive lines, maybe even three.

Yes, but both the EGG and ZZ Pop lines have the potential to be 2 big-time offensive lines.

Also, those teams won't have nearly as good of a checking line as we have.

Marty will step it up in the playoffs (though he has been maginficent the majority of the season) and hopefully the Devils will come together and step it up.

Yes, but both the EGG and ZZ Pop lines have the potential to be 2 big-time offensive lines.

Also, those teams won't have nearly as good of a checking line as we have.

Marty will step it up in the playoffs (though he has been maginficent the majority of the season) and hopefully the Devils will come together and step it up.

Potential means nothing when you can't reach it. All the other hot lines in the league have been clicking consistently throughout the entire season (Buffalo's 3 lines, Crosby-Malkin, Kovy-Kozlov-Hossa, Heatley-Spezza-Alfredsson), while others have ascended into realms unheard of (Lecavalier-St. Louis). The only line that has "sucked" this season is Cole-Staal-Whitney (not much so Whitney), but they just pummelled us the other day WITHOUT Ward so it is really hard to make fun of them. Our EGG/ZZP line is good, but we cannot be matched to the aforementioned lines (maybe 'cept the Canes). In fact, EGG should never be compared to another team's top line until we can score 1-2 GPG at the minimum...

And as good as our checking line is, I agree with what the previous poster said. Playing 80% of the game in our own zone is flirting with disaster. Offense is easier to play than defense. If you give the opponent so many chances to score, they will EVENTUALLY bury a few. Even Pandolfo-Madden-Brylin or Brodeur can't prevent bad bounces and bad breaks if all they do is play D.

I think we match-up well against everybody out there. If I was any of the other teams in the hunt for a playoffs spot, I would think that the Devils are the "underdogg" in this hole situation.

With are crappy play as of late and the presence of Madden, Elias and Gionta once the playoffs come around, I really think we'll turn this around. The playoffs is a whole other season and we got the guy's that already went to war before and know how to get it done. The only thing we need is to play with more heart and unfortunnatly there's nothing that Claude Julien can do about that... it has to come from the players.

Even if we loose 3 in a row again, it doesn't matter. What matters is the way we'll finish the last 5 games of the season heading into the playoffs. We need momentum going into the big dance.

I say play all 10 teams, beat them in 40 games and call it a year.

Kidding of course, but I would have to say Atlanta, they were good, and then added Tkatchuk. But in all honesty, get Gionta back, and I don't see NJ losing.

wanna know wat i think honestly........egg line may break out in playoffs (not kidding either), and pzl hopefully will continue playing the way they have, the madden line will do the normal thing but this season they also have been a scoring threat thanks to the addition of sarge, and hopefully a good fourth line that can play good mins and give the other 3 lines more of a break (please no cam he is not needed for the playoffs trust me). id like to see the fourth line of rupp, dowd, rass back together or maybe even put clarkson in :dunno: