Can the Devils lead the Atlantic By X Mas [Archive]

Game Breaker

11-25-2007, 06:41 PM

It's embarrassing that we already have dropped six straight to the islanders and rangers. I expect that to change, especially with the better play of the pp and pk with Langenbrunner and White back.

Also, its time to have a lineup and stick to it. On defense, I really don't want to see Oduya anymore. I don't give a crap about people saying he "has been playing better lately." If by better, you mean he has been playing like a number 3 defenseman in the AHL instead of a number 4 defenseman, than maybe you are right. The fatal mistakes he makes and stupid penalties are not going to cut it.

If we stay with...

Parise-Elias-Gionta
Zubrus-Zajac-Langenbrunner
Pandolfo-Madden-Clarkson
Brylin-Pelley-Asham

Martin-White
Greene-Rachunek
Vishnevski-Brookbank

...I think the chemistry between everybody will finally increase and we will have more of a chance at getting out of the first round of the playoffs. However, past that...we will see.

theMessiah1194

11-25-2007, 06:47 PM

Colin Whites Eye

11-25-2007, 07:41 PM

gotta get there first, just sayin

if the playoffs started today, we'd be in.

but thanks though

Brooklyndevil

11-25-2007, 08:21 PM

Marty is playing like a top goaltender again and we do have a good group of fowards, but let's face it, our defense scares no one except me. Other than White and Martin the rest are all bottom end pairings. However, they have played better of late, but my question is for how long?

newfish

11-25-2007, 08:23 PM

Not sure by xmas, but we will win the divison again.

Rhodes0042

11-25-2007, 08:47 PM

but let's face it, our defense scares no one except me.

So funny, yet so true. Every time Oduya touches the puck I fear he will trip or just simply give the puck away to who ever the star is on the other team. I can't say I have much confidence in Mattau either, but he did look pretty good moving the puck in Tampa. I still hope that Sutter sometime during the season gives Matvichuk a shot, but I doubt that will happen.

Colin Whites Eye

11-25-2007, 08:54 PM

Matvichuk aint playing on this team again

Rhodes0042

11-25-2007, 09:01 PM

Matvichuk aint playing on this team again

I know, I know, but I can dream.......

Clarkson Falls Down

11-25-2007, 09:06 PM

I'm not so much worried about the division right now. I'm just focused on seeing this team come together as a unit and playing hard everygame. Wins will come if we work hard like we have during the road trip.

BenIgnorant

11-25-2007, 10:42 PM

They could...but leading the division at Xmas doesn't mean jack. The important thing is that they are in the top 8 by mid-April. This is not the best team in the division. If the Devils win the division, Sutter did one hell of a job. I think people are a little too high on the Devils right now. Before this 4 game winning streak people were ready to jump off the nearest bridge. If the playoffs started today, the Devils BARELY make the playoffs. In fact, if Buffalo happened to win their 2 games in hand, they would be ahead of the Devils.

This team isn't much better than the than their record shows...and they are no less vulnerable to injuries to key players than any team behind or ahead of them. Think of the impact that Langs and White have had with the team...now think about what would happen if they were out again, or if Elias, Parise, Gionta, Madden, Pando, Martin or worst of all Brodeur go down for an extended period of time, especially if more than one went down at the same time.

To paraphrase Jim Mora...Division? Win the division? We're in 8th place!

TB Sheets

11-25-2007, 10:51 PM

Hell, only four points behind, the Devils could be leading the division by the middle of next week. ;)

Game Breaker

11-26-2007, 12:11 AM

Hell, only four points behind, the Devils could be leading the division by the middle of next week. ;)

Since their next game isn't until wednesday, it would have to be the end of next week...:sarcasm:

Das Uber

11-26-2007, 12:24 AM

I know, I know, but I can dream.......

If you're going to dream, dream big...

http://pics.forecaster.ca/nhl-player/3507.gif http://pics.forecaster.ca/nhl-player/3494.gif http://pics.forecaster.ca/nhl-player/0681.gif http://pics.forecaster.ca/nhl-player/2876.gif http://pics.forecaster.ca/nhl-player/1568.gif

bense27

11-26-2007, 12:36 AM

we definitely can. The Atlantic leader is going be changing alot this season.

JimEIV

11-26-2007, 01:09 AM

This team isn't much better than the than their record shows...

I completely disagree.

This team is FAR better than their record shows......

The Offense

The Additions of Clarkson, Pelley, Zubrus and Asham give this team the grit and 3rd/4th line players that they were sorely missing over the last two years...We never replaced the McKay's, Marshall's and Turner Stevenson's of the world and this year we did. These type of guys are tremendously important, especially in the spring.

We might not have any truely elite forwards right now (Parise maybe, Elias should be) but as group, it is a Very, very deep group. Hell....You have at least 6 forwards on this team capable of 50 or more points maybe even 60 (Parise, Gionta, Zubrus, Zajac, Elias, Langenbrunner ) This team should be generating far more balance scoring than it has, and I'm sure it will come.

The Defense
Having White injured hurt pure and simple. It is so obvious that his 20 minutes a game has stabilized this defense.

The Defense could use another solid D-man capable of close to 20 minutes; I wish we didn't let Lukowich walk. But getting another Lukowich is not all that difficult.

Paul Martin has quietly been very good. 9 points in 20 games, +1 and playing solid defense. You can easily argue Greene has been the most steady defensemen all season so far. Karel Rachunek has been a pleasant surprise.

The patch work defense is not all that different that what we did last season. Don't forget last season's Franchise Record Setting 49 Win Club used the likes of Alex Brooks, Jim Fahey, David Hale, Mark Fraser and Andy Greene for a significant number of games last season.

Our defense is not terrible. I don't believe it as bad as goals against shows. We do need to add another depth defensemen; But if this group got a little more forward help like they've been getting over the last 5 games the defense would have had much more success earlier in the year than they did.

The Goaltending

No words needed.

Gunnar Stahl 30

11-26-2007, 01:10 AM

I completely disagree.

This team is FAR better than their record shows......

The Offense

The Additions of Clarkson, Pelley, Zubrus and Asham give this the grit and 3rd/4th line players that they were sorely missing over the last two years...We never replaced the McKay's, Marshall's and Turner Stevenson's of the world and this year we did. These type of guys are tremendously important, especially in the spring.

We might not have any truely elite forwards right now (Parise maybe, Elias should be) but as group, it is a Very, very deep group. Hell....You have at least 6 forwards on this team capable of 50 or more points maybe even 60 (Parise, Gionta, Zubrus, Zajac, Elias, Langenbrunner ) This team should be generating far more balance scoring than it has, and I'm sure it will come.

The Defense
Having White injured hurt pure and simple. It is so obviously that his 20 minutes a game has stabilized this defense.

The Defense could use another solid D-man capable of close to 20 minutes; I wish we didn't let Lukowich walk. But getting another Lukowich is not all that difficult.

Paul Martin has quietly been very good. 9 points in 20 games, +1 and playing solid defense. You can easily argue Greene has been the most steady defensemen all season so far. Karel Rachunek has been a pleasant surprise.

The patch work defense is not all that different that what we did last season. Don't forget last season Franchise Record setting 49 Win club used the likes of Alex Brooks, Jim Fahey, David Hale, Mark Fraser and Andy Greene for a significant number of games last season.

Our defense is not terrible. I don't believe it as bad as goals against shows. We do need to add another depth defensemen; But if this group got a little more forward help like they've been getting over the last 5 games the defense would have had much more success earlier in the year than they did.

The Goaltending

No words needed.

what about the coaching?;)

JimEIV

11-26-2007, 01:15 AM

what about the coaching?;)

No Comment......

Darius Dangleaitis

11-26-2007, 01:17 AM

JimEIV...I agree

Mountaineer

11-26-2007, 01:24 AM

I'm not sure about the Devils chances at winning the division. Maybe they'll crack first place by Christmas but the Atlantic is pretty darn good this year.

Rangers have an awesome goalie and Jagr
Islanders are much improved
Pittsburgh can definitely play better if they find a goalie
Flyers are the most improved team in the league

It's going to be a great season

Colin Whites Eye

11-26-2007, 01:31 AM

on Pitt, you cant just "find" a goalie. their defense sucks also...they are still a few years away

i dont think the islanders will keep up this steady play

the flyers are pretty good, but saying they are the most improved really isnt saying much. they were ATROCIOUS last year

i think its between us and the rangers

DevFan-RU-

11-26-2007, 01:49 AM

JerryGigantic

11-26-2007, 02:12 AM

JimEIV...I agree

Second the motion. Our entire line-up healthy (who have yet to play a single game together this season, btw) and we should be much better than the sum of our parts. Enough with the doomsayers.

(And I also tend to agree about the coach... But we really shouldn't talk about it too loudly...;))

svatos_the_great

11-26-2007, 03:05 AM

Ya one Word Brodeur he's our key,savier,backbone,season,franchise this man can lead any team any where anytime he's simply the best like it or not the problem we have Oduya, if we can Sign either Ossi Vaananen,Danny Markov,Ric Jackman,Janne Niinimaa,Tomas Kloucek,that would be great they would take like around 1.5m maybe 2m per so were safe or via trade bring Bryce Salvador, wat do u people think????

svatos_the_great

11-26-2007, 03:11 AM

Igor Zubov
DOB: Mon, Jul 04, 1988

Age: 19

Place of Birth: Togliatti, USSR (now Russia)

HT: 6-0 WT: 187

Shoots: R

tell me bout him

svatos_the_great

11-26-2007, 03:14 AM

Vyatcheslav Voynov #- D

DOB: Mon, Jan 15, 1990

Age: 17

Place of Birth: -, USSR (now Russia)

HT: 5-11 WT: 180

Shoots: L

vadvlfan

11-26-2007, 08:09 AM

moving up in the standings is possible but we'll need some help from both evil empire(accross the river) & the guys at the other end of the turnpike (team l' range). It'll stay competitive.

Not to whine about the defense, but larry is definately doing a good job with this group. mottau is a pleasant surprise. our forwards have become interchangable staying within a newer system.

I like sutter but he needs to keep his criticisms in the locker room. the team is playing very well. why do we struggle so much against the isles?

1st place by christmas? were not that far out now, but we gotta count on rag$/filly/isles to screw up too.

Semak20

11-26-2007, 08:31 AM

I want to see Lundqvist do it past the all-star break before I start throwing "awesome" around.

Marty is got his head back on a straight and having the full line-up helps. Give me Gionta on one his hot streaks and it's doable. I would say Elias, but I'm thinking the late 05-06 Elias might have been his last all star streak but I hope he proves me wrong. Now to push it past X-mas, can we get another play making centerman under tree? Zajac is the only thing we got.

MoonDragn

11-26-2007, 12:31 PM

Btw. This season isn't that much all different from 2005-2006. Just look at some old history from ESPN :

2005-06 Week 7 9-9-2 20 The inconsistency continues for the Devils. In the last week, they've lost to Buffalo, then beaten Montreal, only to lose to Ottawa. And who is their leading scorer? Brian Gionta, all 5-foot-7 of him, with 13 goals and eight assists. Alexander Mogilny, where are you?
2005-06 Week 8 11-9-2 19 The Devils have won two straight, but have yet to win three straight games this season. Will this week change that? Scott Gomez is playing better as of late with five goals with seven assists in his last seven games.
2005-06 Week 9 13-10-2 18 The Devils went 2-1 this week and have gone 7-3 in their last 10 games. Scott Clemmensen will make his first start Tuesday since Nov. 8, giving Martin Brodeur a rest.
2005-06 Week 10 13-12-4 21 Just when we thought the Devils were getting something going... They've lost four straight, with the last two coming in extra time. New Jersey had a team meeting Monday as a playoff spot fell further out of reach (N.J. is 10th in the East). Let's see whether the meeting worked.
2005-06 Week 11 14-13-5 23 How the mighty have fallen. With just two wins in nine games, coach Larry Robinson called it quits, citing "stress." All those losses, and you get stressed? Really? We hope hockey's version of Sweet Lou coaches the rest of the season. It could give Jersey fans something more to watch in March besides The Sopranos.
2005-06 Week 13 17-18-5 23 Patrik Elias is back! Patrik Elias is back! Yes, he was the team's top scorer for a few seasons, but he's not the second coming and he won't single-handedly lead the Devils to the playoffs. It's just strange to see New Jersey struggle like this.
2005-06 Week 16 25-19-5 13 Holy winning streaks, Batman! So, to what do we attribute the Devils' nine-game streak? Was Larry Robinson really that bad? The return of Patrik Elias? The scoring streak of Scott Gomez? How about Marty Brodeur? He started all nine games and posted three shutouts. Enough said.

This was the year after we lost Stevens, Neidermayer and didn't have Elias for the first part of the season. We ended up with 46 wins and lead the Atlantic division. As usual, all the analysts were wrong.

We're currently in week 9 with 11-10-2. If we win the next 2 games we'll be at the exact point as that season.

Incidentally 2006-2007 season was only slightly better at this junction too.

2006-07 Week 9 14-9-2 12 After a rough West Coast swing, the Devils were back East and picked up two wins against Pittsburgh and Philly. With Montreal, upstart Boston and Buffalo on the horizon, we don't know how long this upward trend will continue.

TB Sheets

11-26-2007, 12:39 PM

Since their next game isn't until wednesday, it would have to be the end of next week...:sarcasm:

I meant next week, as in the week after this one, ;)

007madden007

11-26-2007, 02:44 PM

If you're going to dream, dream big...

http://pics.forecaster.ca/nhl-player/1568.gif

Have you actually seen Kaberle play this season?!?

MoonDragn

11-26-2007, 02:50 PM

I like sutter but he needs to keep his criticisms in the locker room. the team is playing very well. why do we struggle so much against the isles?

Was bad ice. Both teams had problems moving the puck around the ice was really bad. The only reason the islanders scored cause Mottau's skate got caught and tripped. If he hadn't, the game would have been 0-0 going into overtime.

MacBeatsPang

11-26-2007, 03:17 PM

moving up in the standings is possible but we'll need some help from both evil empire(accross the river) & the guys at the other end of the turnpike (team l' range). It'll stay competitive.

Sorry to go OT but calling the Rags the Evil Empire gives them far, far too much credit. One cup in the last 66 years and none in the last 13 to our three in 12? No contest. When the Red Sox president called the Yanks the Evil Empire a few years back it actually meant something because NYY were dominating...

Hellsempire

11-26-2007, 05:24 PM

By Christmas? Sure no doubt they can. The Devils just need to get on a roll and get the 2 points mostly every night or game. They do have a ton of home games coming up and hopefully that should help.

JimEIV

12-04-2007, 01:38 AM

With the Ranger loss tonight (12/03/07) to the Hurricanes and them not playing until Thursday...Both The Flyers and the Devils have the chance to tie them in points on Wednesday.

Game Breaker

12-04-2007, 07:21 PM

Yes, that was huge. We need our division to keep losing in regulation.

Hovercraft

12-04-2007, 07:41 PM

Atlantic is going to be tight this year. It will be like 05-06, whoever is hottest at the end of the year.

JimEIV

12-04-2007, 09:17 PM

Atlantic is going to be tight this year. It will be like 05-06, whoever is hottest at the end of the year.

Being injury free is probably most important.

Hellsempire

12-04-2007, 09:20 PM

With a Devils win tomorrow night (hopefully their 8th in a row) they will be tied for 1st place in the Atlantic Division. Funny how a month ago the Devils were in the basement and there is no place to go but up and they sure did.

JimEIV

12-04-2007, 09:24 PM

Hellsempire

12-04-2007, 09:26 PM

Really! One month ago we literally had the fewest points in the NHL!

Yes they did and and look what happens when you put together a 7-game winning streak.:naughty:

Scoot

12-04-2007, 09:26 PM

Game Breaker

12-04-2007, 11:35 PM

SSSSSHHHHHHHH !! Don't tell 'em ;)

The answer is zamboni!!!...yea, thats the ticket...:sarcasm:

HenriksBetter

12-05-2007, 08:14 PM

God help us if the Rangers offense finds out where the puck is supposed to go in order for them to score. Right now they are borderline mentally retarded offensively...

Hint: Its made of metal and has nylon meshing and is colored red and white.

If the Rangers were scoring like they should be they would be giving Detroit a run for the best record in the NHL. Thank God for Lundqvist. With the Rangers recent lil slide over the past week or so i could see the Devils passing them by xmas. But i think that it will be a tug of war all season between the Devils and Rangers for the division crown. This sunday should be a another great chapter in The Battle of the Hudson.

This is my first post in the Devils section of the forums and look forward to some spirited convos in the future. Just wanted say that i am not one of those trollers who just look to start arguments. I don't understand why some people feel the need to do that.

Game Breaker

12-05-2007, 08:22 PM

I think that may be the most bitten off user name I have ever seen...

HenriksBetter

12-05-2007, 08:34 PM

I think that may be the most bitten off user name I have ever seen...

And what makes you say that? He is 8-3-2 against the Devils so far. ;)

la cosa nostra

12-06-2007, 09:49 AM

Overtime98

12-06-2007, 09:50 AM

looks like the devils will soon be leading the atlantic division! :D

r0bb0871

12-08-2007, 12:32 AM

We're officially alone at the top! :yo:

Mr.Krinkle

12-08-2007, 12:34 AM

FIRST PLACE DEVILS!!!!!

:handclap::handclap::handclap:

TB Sheets

12-08-2007, 12:37 AM

Hell, only four points behind, the Devils could be leading the division by the middle of next week. ;)

OK, I was wrong. It took to the end of the next week..... ;)

Lou's Koolaid

12-08-2007, 12:37 AM

Do u guy think that the devils have a shot at it by Xmas i know i think so

We are back like it or not:yo:**** yeah I know so much insight.:sarcasm:

Clarkson Falls Down

12-08-2007, 12:45 AM

Now we need to hold onto the lead!

Game Breaker

12-08-2007, 12:46 AM

Looking at it, we only took half the questioned time to lead the division. This tread, started November 25, asked if we could get it done by Christmas, 5 weeks away. It only took us 2 and a half to do it...pretty impressive.

DevilDog

12-08-2007, 12:51 AM

Now we need to keep the pedal to the metal with a win over the Rags Sunday.

1st place New Jersey Devils.

Damn that feels good.

jerseyg00d

12-08-2007, 12:56 AM

:yo:

Ronnie Bass

12-08-2007, 12:57 AM

Now we need to hold onto the lead!

No, we need to run away with it.

With a division as tough as the Atlantic we need to go for blood at every opportunity, like Sunday.

JimEIV

12-08-2007, 12:59 AM

The Turn around has been simply incredible!

What an awesome job!!!:handclap: :handclap:

Clarkson Falls Down

12-08-2007, 01:00 AM

No, we need to run away with it.

With a division as tough as the Atlantic we need to go for blood at every opportunity, like Sunday.

Agreed. If we lose Sunday, it'll make the streak alittle less magnificent in my book. I wanna beat the snot out of those guys on Sunday.

Ronnie Bass

12-08-2007, 01:09 AM

Agreed. If we lose Sunday, it'll make the streak alittle less impressive in my book. I wanna beat the snot out of those guys on Sunday.

If we lose Sunday, I will be pissed more than usual for a regular season this early, not only do I want to smack the Rangers around I want that ten game winning streak.

pepe22

12-08-2007, 02:22 AM

Now that we're leading the division, how bout leading the conference by Christmas?

HoOn

12-08-2007, 03:08 AM

If we lose Sunday, I will be pissed more than usual for a regular season this early, not only do I want to smack the Rangers around I want that ten game winning streak.

That's what I am dreading too! I don't care if I lose the streak to another team but loosing it to the Rags would really suck. Bah! I shouldn't worry. :D

Sarge18

12-08-2007, 03:35 AM

Hey we need to keep this thread going! It's not Christmas! We need to hold on to this lead for three more weeks!

Brooklyndevil

12-08-2007, 08:42 AM

If we lose Sunday, I will be pissed more than usual for a regular season this early, not only do I want to smack the Rangers around I want that ten game winning streak.

A loss on Sunday would be a terrible way to end this really nice run, which I'm still kind of shocked we're on.

Devilswede

12-08-2007, 09:43 AM

I don't care if the streak ends on Monday against the Caps, I just don't want it to end against the Rangers tomorrow! I wouldn't be able to stand that!! Gotta win that game!

Devils Mike

12-08-2007, 10:05 AM

Not only leading the division, but second place in the conference! And Ottawa are in a slump so it can be easiar for us to regain #1.

Ronnie Bass

12-08-2007, 11:23 AM

A loss on Sunday would be a terrible way to end this really nice run, which I'm still kind of shocked we're on.

I think we all are, this really came out of nowhere.

Clarkson Falls Down

12-08-2007, 12:10 PM

fortheloveof666

12-08-2007, 12:15 PM

The thing that I'm most concerned with is how we play AFTER the streak ends (because it obviously will end sometime). I don't want to see us go on a losing streak after this. The way that the NHL is now, if we go into a slump after the streak ends, we'll go from leading the division to last. The league is that competitive. We've already used up our slump for this season.

Very true, I had the same thing in mind. However, based on our unbelievable resiliency in those two comebacks we've had, I think on a game-to-game basis we'll be able to bounce back. Largely because part of the reason we did was big plays by Marty when we seemed down and out. One of Marty's greatest characteristics is his ability to get crapped on one night, and shut out a team the next.

I think our teams play largely relies on Marty's ability to be consistent as well as their own.

Alcoolique

12-08-2007, 12:52 PM

I checked the Standings this morning...

The Flyers have 2more games to play than us, but, we have 2more points than them..

Also, we're second in the Eastern Conference!!!

:handclap:

pattyelias

12-08-2007, 12:59 PM

And what makes you say that? He is 8-3-2 against the Devils so far. ;)

That counts playoffs too, right?

ALine9900

12-08-2007, 01:11 PM

That counts playoffs too, right?

Haha no, that would make sense.

Ronnie Bass

12-08-2007, 01:29 PM

I checked the Standings this morning...

The Flyers have 2more games to play than us, but, we have 2more points than them..

Also, we're second in the Eastern Conference!!!

:handclap:

I'm pretty sure it's only one game.

Hellsempire

12-08-2007, 01:47 PM

Like I said a couple of weeks ago that the Devils will be in first place way before Christmas. It is nice to see the NYR and the Flyers starting their decline already and the Devils on the NHL's longst winning streak of the season @ 9 in a row! The Atlantic Division is now they way it should be reading considering the Devils went from last to first in 9 games. Another great job in sections 233, 232 and 231 rocking the rock once again.:handclap: Unfortunately we were the corner to start that wave going around the arena. :naughty: At first we were all saying "not at a hockey game!" but it turned out to be pretty cool when the rest of the rock joined in and it went around for a while.

Another nice win by the Devils and now in first place all by themselves. Sunday afternoon vs. the NYR is going to be huge. Devils continue the streak and start to pull away from the division play.