Brodeur and the Devils' stats back on track

It seems like the Devils always start out slow and get back on track. This year hasn't been any different. We went from last in points in the league in mid November to leading the division at Christmas, second in the conference, and sixth in the league. We are currently tied for third in goals against while Marty is tied for first in the league in wins. His inflated GAA is coming back down to respectability at 2.23 which is currently 8th in the league while his save percentage is up to .914.

Its nice to see the return to Devils' hockey. We are supposed to be in last in the division right now while the high powered offenses of the Rangers and Penguins should be dominating...but we see that clearly is not happening. Rather comical as a matter of fact that Lundqvist was bailing his team out with outstanding play, and now that his game has come back down to earth, the team isn't helping him. The important thing for us is that we must start winning against them and the Isles and continue to get points no matter what in the division.

I hate to be a pessimist but I still don't think the team is "on track." The bottom line is, we still have nights where we completely fail to show up and get shutout. It's probably a safe bet that we've been shutout more than any other team in the league has thus far. Just because we beat 2 of the 3 teams in the West doesn't put us back on track.

I'd rather look at the 5-0 loss we had to Vancouver when we played like **** and didn't test the stay-puft marshmallow man nearly as much as we should or could have.

I still think we're mostly riding Marty's back in these wins and it's ridiculous when you consider what this team has shown it's capable of. Shutout last night or not we got dominated in the 2nd period with shots and from what I saw of it, they seemed to have a bit more scoring chances and quite a few close calls.

We might be in a great position right now, but there is NO WAY it holds up if we continue to play the way we are. All those breaks we didn't catch earlier on, we're using up right now, IMO.

If Marty wins 40+ again this year, there's no way he shouldn't have the Vezina again.....hell even the Hart trophy. The Devils go the way of Brodeur, he was terrible, giving up bad rebounds, weak goals here, there and everywhere and the Devils had a 3-6-1 start and were looking to be in the pits after getting their ***** kicked, even the first game at the rock was a loss, we were LAST IN THE EAST. Then Marty said **** THIS and since then hasn't let in too many weak ones as often as he used to, his rebound control is picture perfect again. This team should change their name to the New Jersey Brodeur's because if it's not for him, we're looking at Stamkos.

This team should change their name to the New Jersey Brodeur's because if it's not for him, we're looking at Stamkos.

I think that may be the greatest thing I have ever heard in my life.

Think of it this way. Look at where we are and how we are playing right now. Then, imagine what this team will look like when they play the way they all can play. I hope the consistency picks up after the Christmas break. We need to get points no matter what. I always look at the stats from the 2000-2001 season because it was our best team. We never went 2 games without getting a point, and that is important, or impointant depending on how you look at it...

New Jersey Brodeur's ... hmmm ok. I can confidently say if he wasn't in net our cup total would be the same as the Blue Jackets at this point.

Ok, if he gets one more we'll throw it up for vote. ;)

My title has already been changed...

My title has already been changed...

Mind if I join you?

I hate to be a pessimist but I still don't think the team is "on track." The bottom line is, we still have nights where we completely fail to show up and get shutout. It's probably a safe bet that we've been shutout more than any other team in the league has thus far. Just because we beat 2 of the 3 teams in the West doesn't put us back on track.

I'd rather look at the 5-0 loss we had to Vancouver when we played like **** and didn't test the stay-puft marshmallow man nearly as much as we should or could have.

I still think we're mostly riding Marty's back in these wins and it's ridiculous when you consider what this team has shown it's capable of. Shutout last night or not we got dominated in the 2nd period with shots and from what I saw of it, they seemed to have a bit more scoring chances and quite a few close calls.

We might be in a great position right now, but there is NO WAY it holds up if we continue to play the way we are. All those breaks we didn't catch earlier on, we're using up right now, IMO.

This is such an ignorant position to take. The team had very bad luck with the flight and then the hotel the day before Vancouver. I'd rather use the games against Edmonton and Calgary, when they played under normal circumstances and actually had some key players out. The Devils managed to win both games.

The reason the Devils were dominated in the second last night was because of the uncharacteristic penalties they took (around 4?). Some were iffy. Either way, we know that's not normal Devils hockey, so I wouldn't be worried.

This is such an ignorant position to take. The team had very bad luck with the flight and then the hotel the day before Vancouver. I'd rather use the games against Edmonton and Calgary, when they played under normal circumstances and actually had some key players out. The Devils managed to win both games.

The reason the Devils were dominated in the second last night was because of the uncharacteristic penalties they took (around 4?). Some were iffy. Either way, we know that's not normal Devils hockey, so I wouldn't be worried.

:boredom:

What makes it so ignorant? Because something that happened the day before? Excuses don't make the outcome any different nor any better. What about the other 5 or so shutouts we suffered?

What's ignorant is people that look at a 1-0 win and a comeback win against a team that is in the bottom 5 of the league as huge positives?

Looking at your wins and patting yourself on the back isn't going to help, but when you look at every single game you played like **** and remember it so you never let it happen again is probably going to have better results.

I didn't see a NJ team remembering getting spanked 5-0 by Pittsburgh remembering it when they're getting spanked all the same by Vancouver. That's not a team that's going to win a championship, period, and that's what this is all about isn't it? You're in it to win it and with how many times we've gone scoreless and made mediocre goaltenders look like they were top-notch is unacceptable.

Lets see what happens in a few weeks when we play Buffalo twice and Carolina, two teams with speed and skill. Buffalo has struggled, but so has Pittsburgh and I'd like to think Ryan Miller is a far better netminder than Sabourin is.

We're not going to win a championship because we get sporadic chemistry with players and streaky scoring from key guys. Elias has two big goals, and now what? Is he gonna go another 3 or more weeks without even being visible? If not for him these past two games, we probably don't win. If not for Marty, Parise, and Langer we might not win 9 straight.

There is still no cohesiveness with this team, and until there is, we're still going to be incredibly inconsistent. I don't think Vancouver was a matter of bad luck and circumstance, but proof that for as great as we've been at times, we're still not a great TEAM, and that means everyone together, not just the logo on the front and the numbers in the standings.

it's all because of the 9 game win streak. without that, who knows where we would be. I can't wait to see Pando back in the lineup so we can finally have a healthy team.

Hey, I'm not about to claim this team will win the cup, but I always liked the group of forwards they put together and Marty is back, but it's still hard to imagine that with the current group of defensemen that we're second in our coference in points and first in goals against. I thought this was the year for a lottery pick, so far you won't get any complaints from me about the way this team is currently playing.

I still think we're mostly riding Marty's back in these wins and it's ridiculous when you consider what this team has shown it's capable of. Shutout last night or not we got dominated in the 2nd period with shots and from what I saw of it, they seemed to have a bit more scoring chances and quite a few close calls.

So you're saying Brodeur for MVP then? Alright!



;)

it's all because of the 9 game win streak. without that, who knows where we would be. I can't wait to see Pando back in the lineup so we can finally have a healthy team.


And without Ottawa's 8-game streak and Detroit's 9-game streak in the beginning of the season, they'd be in with the rest of the pack also. Fact is, streaks - winning and losing - happen every year for every team and go a long, long way in determining how each team finishes. To say "but for that streak...." is like saying that a team is no good once you take its star goaltender away.

So you're saying Brodeur for MVP then? Alright!



;)

pretty much.

:boredom:

What makes it so ignorant? Because something that happened the day before? Excuses don't make the outcome any different nor any better. What about the other 5 or so shutouts we suffered?

What's ignorant is people that look at a 1-0 win and a comeback win against a team that is in the bottom 5 of the league as huge positives?

Looking at your wins and patting yourself on the back isn't going to help, but when you look at every single game you played like **** and remember it so you never let it happen again is probably going to have better results.

I didn't see a NJ team remembering getting spanked 5-0 by Pittsburgh remembering it when they're getting spanked all the same by Vancouver. That's not a team that's going to win a championship, period, and that's what this is all about isn't it? You're in it to win it and with how many times we've gone scoreless and made mediocre goaltenders look like they were top-notch is unacceptable.

Lets see what happens in a few weeks when we play Buffalo twice and Carolina, two teams with speed and skill. Buffalo has struggled, but so has Pittsburgh and I'd like to think Ryan Miller is a far better netminder than Sabourin is.

We're not going to win a championship because we get sporadic chemistry with players and streaky scoring from key guys. Elias has two big goals, and now what? Is he gonna go another 3 or more weeks without even being visible? If not for him these past two games, we probably don't win. If not for Marty, Parise, and Langer we might not win 9 straight.

There is still no cohesiveness with this team, and until there is, we're still going to be incredibly inconsistent. I don't think Vancouver was a matter of bad luck and circumstance, but proof that for as great as we've been at times, we're still not a great TEAM, and that means everyone together, not just the logo on the front and the numbers in the standings.

The beginning of the season was an adjustment period, especially with the nine game road trip (where 3 of those shutouts came). Siting this, as well as the Vancouver games as proof of your point that the Devils aren't that good is a pretty narrow-minded, ignorant way of thinking. I'd rather point to the 20-13-3 record (2nd in the Eastern Conference) and the conference lead in goals against.

I'm not using the plane problems and the hotel fire alarm as an excuse, but when you combine that with the jet lag associated with a 6 hour plane ride, it's understandable why the team would play below their capabilities. This is why it's wrong of you to point strictly to the Vancouver game: "I'd rather look at the 5-0 loss we had to Vancouver when we played like **** and didn't test the stay-puft marshmallow man nearly as much as we should or could have."

The Devils are getting contributions from everyone. This is good, because when players like Parise and Langenbrunner falter (as is the case in recent games), guys like Elias, Gionta, and Madden pick up the slack. That is the point of having depth. Not every player will be consistent throughout the season. If not for injuries, the Devils would have around 5-6 guys within reach of 20 goals (Parise, Elias, Zubrus, Gionta, Madden, Pandolfo, Langenbrunner).

By the way, we have faired very well against Buffalo since the lockout. The Devils systematic game causes problems for the Sabres.

The beginning of the season was an adjustment period, especially with the nine game road trip (where 3 of those shutouts came). Siting this, as well as the Vancouver games as proof of your point that the Devils aren't that good is a pretty narrow-minded, ignorant way of thinking. I'd rather point to the 20-13-3 record (2nd in the Eastern Conference) and the conference lead in goals against.

I'm not using the plane problems and the hotel fire alarm as an excuse, but when you combine that with the jet lag associated with a 6 hour plane ride, it's understandable why the team would play below their capabilities. This is why it's wrong of you to point strictly to the Vancouver game: "I'd rather look at the 5-0 loss we had to Vancouver when we played like **** and didn't test the stay-puft marshmallow man nearly as much as we should or could have."

The Devils are getting contributions from everyone. This is good, because when players like Parise and Langenbrunner falter (as is the case in recent games), guys like Elias, Gionta, and Madden pick up the slack. That is the point of having depth. Not every player will be consistent throughout the season. If not for injuries, the Devils would have around 5-6 guys within reach of 20 goals (Parise, Elias, Zubrus, Gionta, Madden, Pandolfo, Langenbrunner).

By the way, we have faired very well against Buffalo since the lockout. The Devils systematic game causes problems for the Sabres.

I suppose it is narrow-minded, sort of the way it's narrow-minded to point at our record and place in the standings as how good we are without ever looking at the fact that, in our division alone, every single team has been struggling to get wins. And if you want to look conference wide...while we were on our winning streak, Ottawa was losing just as many.

Sure that's how it shapes up, and that's the name of the game...but the bottom line is, have we beaten Ottawa yet? No, both times we coughed up 4 goals and lost rather decisively. Hell, the Rags have beaten us 4 times at our own game and shut us out twice. You can look at the here and now all you want if it makes you feel better about yourself, but that doesn't make our chances in the playoffs any better at the rate we're playing.

Sure we have a difference in opinion, but if you're completely satisfied right now...you might feel right now, but if we play the way we are now in April/May, we'll be out of the playoffs in 5 games TOPS.

You want to point to these two games as a statement about this team, but to me, you're far off. The games we all should be looking at is Dallas and Boston where we were able to win despite going down a few goals. THOSE are the games that count and prove how good this team can be. I can't count Edmonton for the simple fact they're at the bottom of the league. But Boston, Thomas, I believe, has the best save % in the league. And Dallas has what some would argue is an elite goaltender. So to me, those are games you watch over and over as wins, but as losses you can't look past the 7 shutouts we've had this season and the fact we can't even beat the Rangers OR Islanders.

And yes, we have done very well against Buffalo, but last season and the seasons before are just that, this is this year. Sure Buffalo is sucking right now, but can you really say Washington or Phoenix is a better team? Yes the loss in Washington was ********, I agree, but a loss is a loss, we still gave up 3 goals to lose.

id like martys gaa to be below 2.15

I suppose it is narrow-minded, sort of the way it's narrow-minded to point at our record and place in the standings as how good we are without ever looking at the fact that, in our division alone, every single team has been struggling to get wins. And if you want to look conference wide...while we were on our winning streak, Ottawa was losing just as many.

Sure that's how it shapes up, and that's the name of the game...but the bottom line is, have we beaten Ottawa yet? No, both times we coughed up 4 goals and lost rather decisively. Hell, the Rags have beaten us 4 times at our own game and shut us out twice. You can look at the here and now all you want if it makes you feel better about yourself, but that doesn't make our chances in the playoffs any better at the rate we're playing.

Sure we have a difference in opinion, but if you're completely satisfied right now...you might feel right now, but if we play the way we are now in April/May, we'll be out of the playoffs in 5 games TOPS.

You want to point to these two games as a statement about this team, but to me, you're far off. The games we all should be looking at is Dallas and Boston where we were able to win despite going down a few goals. THOSE are the games that count and prove how good this team can be. I can't count Edmonton for the simple fact they're at the bottom of the league. But Boston, Thomas, I believe, has the best save % in the league. And Dallas has what some would argue is an elite goaltender. So to me, those are games you watch over and over as wins, but as losses you can't look past the 7 shutouts we've had this season and the fact we can't even beat the Rangers OR Islanders.

And yes, we have done very well against Buffalo, but last season and the seasons before are just that, this is this year. Sure Buffalo is sucking right now, but can you really say Washington or Phoenix is a better team? Yes the loss in Washington was ********, I agree, but a loss is a loss, we still gave up 3 goals to lose.

I'm not completely satisfied right now, but I still think the Devils have a good team and can compete in playoffs.

And we would not be out of the playoffs in 5 games, tops. Who's outing the Devils in 5 games? Pittsburgh? Carolina? Montreal? Boston? I don't think so. Those are teams with more problems than New Jersey.

I'm not completely satisfied right now, but I still think the Devils have a good team and can compete in playoffs.

And we would not be out of the playoffs in 5 games, tops. Who's outing the Devils in 5 games? Pittsburgh? Carolina? Montreal? Boston? I don't think so. Those are teams with more problems than New Jersey.

I haven't checked the standings, and honestly, I don't feel like it right now, but I'm pretty sure the Rags are 7th right now. So if the playoffs started today, we'd play them...and as I mentioned, they beat us 4 times including shutting us out twice. So yeah, it probably would be quick.

I haven't checked the standings, and honestly, I don't feel like it right now, but I'm pretty sure the Rags are 7th right now. So if the playoffs started today, we'd play them...and as I mentioned, they beat us 4 times including shutting us out twice. So yeah, it probably would be quick.

History has shown regular season record has very little bearing on playoff series.

The Devils would own the Rangers in a playoff series right now, I feel fairly confident saying. New Jersey is built for the playoffs. Big defense, good forward depth, great goaltending. The Rangers aren't, and are very soft.

History has shown regular season record has very little bearing on playoff series.

The Devils would own the Rangers in a playoff series right now, I feel fairly confident saying. New Jersey is built for the playoffs. Big defense, good forward depth, great goaltending. The Rangers aren't, and are very soft.

:shakehead

History has shown regular season record has very little bearing on playoff series.

The Devils would own the Rangers in a playoff series right now, I feel fairly confident saying. New Jersey is built for the playoffs. Big defense, good forward depth, great goaltending. The Rangers aren't, and are very soft.

Agree about the Ranagers being soft and the Devils being more physical. I still believe we can be more physical on the back end, that's why I would trade Andy Greene for Orpik. We still need to get more physical on defense to get past the Sens.

:shakehead:shakehead

Great point on the post-game yesterday: We're in first place despite having played an inordinate number of road games so far. It only gets easier now.

in 1995 we weren't even suppose to make the playoffs.
we snuck in to the playoffs and cleaned the ice with a star red wing team that was picked to win the cup.
so you never know.

If Marty wins 40+ again this year, there's no way he shouldn't have the Vezina again.....hell even the Hart trophy. The Devils go the way of Brodeur, he was terrible, giving up bad rebounds, weak goals here, there and everywhere and the Devils had a 3-6-1 start and were looking to be in the pits after getting their ***** kicked, even the first game at the rock was a loss, we were LAST IN THE EAST. Then Marty said **** THIS and since then hasn't let in too many weak ones as often as he used to, his rebound control is picture perfect again. This team should change their name to the New Jersey Brodeur's because if it's not for him, we're looking at Stamkos.

Agreed, Lecavalier can't have a chance if his team doesn't get above .500 or make the playoffs, Crosby isn't a shoe-in this year around, but if gets hot and the Pens start winning he'll probably get the media's votes because of the hey, It's Crosby factor. Brodeur really has a strong shot at it this year. But then again, not many people have clearly come into the picture yet.

Agreed, Lecavalier can't have a chance if his team doesn't get above .500 or make the playoffs, Crosby isn't a shoe-in this year around, but if gets hot and the Pens start winning he'll probably get the media's votes because of the hey, It's Crosby factor. Brodeur really has a strong shot at it this year. But then again, not many people have clearly come into the picture yet.

Personally, I think if Vinny can put up a 50+ goal season and maybe 30-40 assists he'll get the Hart for the sole fact that even on a slumping team he's still putting up sick numbers. I'd support it. One can only hope he demands a trade to NJ. :naughty:

Edit: also, if a goalie wins it, 10 to 1 says it's gonna be Queen Henrik for the sole fact it's a big market team and the league will love promoting an MVP goalie in NYC.

and for the trade:

Elias
Bergfors
2nd Rounder
+ A thank you note

for

Lecavlier

Who doesn't love a thank you note?

Personally, I think if Vinny can put up a 50+ goal season and maybe 30-40 assists he'll get the Hart for the sole fact that even on a slumping team he's still putting up sick numbers. I'd support it. One can only hope he demands a trade to NJ. :naughty:

Edit: also, if a goalie wins it, 10 to 1 says it's gonna be Queen Henrik for the sole fact it's a big market team and the league will love promoting an MVP goalie in NYC.

and for the trade:

Elias
Bergfors
2nd Rounder
+ A thank you note

for

Lecavlier

Who doesn't love a thank you note?

That's ridiculous. Feaster's not even going to take Lou's calls unless Rupp is involved in the deal.

That's ridiculous. Feaster's not even going to take Lou's calls unless Rupp is involved in the deal.


:biglaugh: I didn't want to trade away our best asset.

We're in first place in the Division and 2nd in the conference...

:scared: OH NOES! :scared:

And last nights game moved Marty ahead of Queen Henrik in GAA and SV%...