Game 69 Preview: New Jersey Devils vs. Pittsburgh Penguins
by John Fischer on Mar 17, 2010 12:00 AM EDT
in Devils Game Previews
1 comment
The Time: 7 PM EST/4 PM PST
The Broadcast: TV: MSG+ (HD); Radio: 660 AM WFAN
The Matchup: The New Jersey Devils (41-24-3) vs. the Pittsburgh Penguins (41-23-5)
The Last Devils Game: A great start gave away to the Boston Bruins trying to claw their way back into the game. Or did they? While the Bruins had the quantity in shots, the quality wasn't really there and Martin Brodeur stopped all he had a chance on. The first period explosion of three goals by Rob Niedemayer, David Clarkson, and Zach Parise was enough to yank Tim Thomas and hold on for the win. The Devils won 3-2 and I recapped the game here.
The Last Penguins Game: The Penguins got two scares on Sunday against Tampa Bay: a slewfoot by Steve Downie on Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin leaving the game early after taking a Kris Letang shot off his foot. Crosby was OK and played a ton of minutes in the third to make up for his absence. The score may have been close at 2-1, but the Penguins outshot the Lightning 39-22 and Marc-Andre Fleury played very well against those 22 shots. Hooks Orpik at PensBurgh recapped the game.
The Last Devils-Penguins Game: This seems a bit daft given that it was just on Friday. All the same, the game itself was emotional, intense, physical, and loaded with action. Both goaltenders played well, but the Devils got the better of the bounces - be it off the boards for Patrik Elias to score, off Fleury's pads setting up Andy Greene for a pile driver of a shot, or a deft push of a glove allowing Ilya Kovalchuk's shot to get through. The Devils won 3-1 and it was big not just because of the opponent but it was a second consecutive win at the time - their first since the second week of January. I recapped the game here; and Justin M of PensBurgh had his take over here. The Devils are 5-0 against the Penguins this season and are looking for the season series sweep tonight.
The Goal: Don't get caught up in the hype. The night Scott Stevens' number was retired. The night Ken Daneyko's number was retired. The nights honoring the Stanley Cup Championship winning teams. The night were Martin Brodeur had a chance to win his 552nd career game (a year ago to this date!). They weren't just memorable games, they were games where the Devils won - often with a dominating performance. Tonight's game has the same feeling of history as for the first time in the team's history, they will wear throwback jerseys from the 1980s. Some players love the look; Brodeur's going to rock his original mask from his 1992 call up; and it's going to be big atmosphere at the Rock tonight what with the promotion and it being St. Patrick's Day.
You know who doesn't care? Pittsburgh. They bounced back from Friday's loss and they want this game. They don't want to go 0-6 against New Jersey. They don't want to give up the Atlantic Division lead. They don't want to falter yet again to Martin Brodeur and his crew. They definitely didn't forget about Friday's game and more than a few Pens would love to have a crack at a few players. If the Devils get too caught up in the day, they're going to suffer at the sticks of the Penguins. The Devils knows what it takes: consistent effort, consistent puck movement, consistent shots, and smart decision making in their own zone. But they're not going to be able to do it one more time if they're just showing up happy to be there.
Check out PensBurgh for the Penguins' side of things in tonight's game. Please read on after the jump for my additional thoughts.
1 comment | 0 recs |
The Margin of Wins and Losses by the New Jersey Devils and the NHL
by John Fischer on Mar 16, 2010 7:46 PM EDT
in Devils Issues & Views
9 comments
In the comments of the recap of the recent 3-2 win by the New Jersey Devils over the Boston Bruins, user max16s had this question to say:
I wasn't impressed with this victory. The devils—for a while now—-have been a one goal win team. I’d like to see a stat on what percentage of Devils wins are by a single goal (even including empty netters) compared to the league average. I would not be surprised if a disturbing number of Devil wins are by a single goal. And this has been a trend over the past few seasons—-of course we all remember not being able to stretch the lead to two against Carolina. In the past we have attributed it to poor offense, but with the offensive skill on this team, I am really wondering why we very rarely "put a team away" as it were and grab that extra goal to ice it. This sense of urgency needs to change if the team is looking to make a long run. Especially if you want to have a long run, in that first round against a team like Boston you have to simply put them away.
Well, I have to disagree with the initial thought, and I don't know how it would bear out over past season. However, I can answer the initial question about the Devils' margin of victories for this season. It's a feature, not a bug.
Fortunately, the NHL keeps track of the team's record in games decided by one goal, two goals, or three and more goals. However, rather than just linking to this and saying, "Have at it," I dug a little deeper to see how the Devils stack up against the league in each category. Are the Devils relying on too many wins in one goal games? Or is it in line with the rest of the league? What else can be learned from the breakdown of the Devils' 41-24-3 record?
9 comments | 0 recs |
New Jersey Devils Morning News, Mar 16
by TibbsBeastoftheEast on Mar 16, 2010 9:16 AM EDT
0 comments
Devils notes: Martin Skoula earns first point as a Devil - (The Bergen Record)
Devils hold off Bruins at The Rock, 3-2 - (The Bergen Record)
0 comments | 0 recs |
New Jersey Devils Dazzled Boston Bruins in First Period, Held them Off to Win 3-2
by John Fischer on Mar 16, 2010 12:03 AM EDT
in Devils Game Recaps
16 comments
Tonight's game between the New Jersey Devils and the Boston Bruins could have easily come in December. By that I mean the Devils played an excellent period (the first in tonight's case) but their overall performance wasn't nearly as solid. Yet, despite that, the Devils go on to win the game anyway. Several of the Devils' wins in December of this season were like that. At the end of the day, this is a results-oriented business, and the Devils got it with a 3-2 win over the Bruins.
Still, there's plenty about the game to discuss. Some praise for the Devils, for after all they won in part of their good work. The first period by the Devils ranks up there with some of the best single period performances the Devils have had in recent weeks: like the 3 goal second period against San Jose on March 2. It took a few minutes, but the Devils got rolling and rolled up Boston's defense and Tim Thomas (he was replaced by Tuukka Rask for the second period).
But there is also criticism, some areas where I wished the Devils could do a lot better. Namely, the offense in the second and third periods. While they held onto win, it's not something the team can afford to turn into a habit - especially this late in the season. It may be unreasonable to have expected carbon-copy performances of the first period; but that doesn't excuse just fading from the game on offense as they did. A more potent team would have made New Jersey pay for this; it is vital to at least keep the other team honest in their own end.
For the Boston side of this game, Stanley Cup of Chowder has a recap up already. I agree with the general sentiment that it was case of getting dug in too deep too early. If you want the official stats from the game, NHL.com has that along with their recap. For my further thoughts, please read on after the jump. Lastly, based on this post game post by Tom Gulitti, congratulations to Martin Skoula for the birth of his second child. May he enjoy his new life, and I suppose, the assist his dad got tonight.
16 comments | 0 recs |
Game #68 - Devils vs. Boston Bruins
by Steve Lepore on Mar 15, 2010 5:00 PM EDT
in Devils Games
225 comments
TV: VERSUS (HD), with Doc Emrick, Andy Brickley and Charissa Thompson
BREAKING: Those of you with DirecTV will be able to see the game. Hallelujah.
Radio: WFAN 660 AM
Previews: Fischer's is here, and join Stanley Cup of Chowder for all the news from the Hub of Hockey.
Song to Get You Pumped Up But Also Make You Think Deeply About Tonight's Game: From their new record White Crosses, check out Against Me! with "High Pressure Low".
Join me and Live from Newark, John Fischer, in the comments. Da' Rules: Tangents are acceptable and talking about the Bruins or Devils in general is OK. But please do not use this for other purposes and to talk about how Against Me! totally sold out. Above all, go Devils! Will anyone forgive Robert McNamara?
225 comments | 0 recs
New Jersey Devils Morning News, Mar 15
by TibbsBeastoftheEast on Mar 15, 2010 9:45 AM EDT
0 comments
Paul Martin may return Saturday - (The Bergen Record)
Devils up next: Bruins - (The Bergen Record)
0 comments | 0 recs |
Game 68 Preview: New Jersey Devils vs. Boston Bruins
by John Fischer on Mar 15, 2010 12:00 AM EDT
in Devils Game Previews
7 comments
The Time: 7 PM EST/4 PM PST
The Broadcast: TV: Versus (HD); Radio: 660 AM WFAN
The Matchup: The New Jersey Devils (40-24-3) vs. the Boston Bruins (30-25-12)
The Last Devils Game: After an emotional win over Pittsburgh, a letdown on Long Island. The Devils struggled through the second period to let the game go into the Islanders' hands. An attempt at a comeback in the third period was thwarted by the one-two punch of an nonthreatening power play and the concession of a shorthanded goal. The Devils lost 4-2 and I wrote that the loss a "step back" for the team in my recap.
The Last Bruins Game: The Bruins took on their hard rivals in Montreal and were decisively defeated by the Canadiens. Boston started off the game slowly, paid for it twice, and Montreal tacked on another in the third which ultimately held up. The Bruins lost 3-2, here is the recap from Stanley Cup of Chowder.
The Last Devils-Bruins Game: Way back on November 27, the Devils traveled to Boston for a very close game. Goaltenders Martin Brodeur and Tuukka Rask were the stars, stepping up to block many shots. Only one beat them in regulation and a shootout was required to decide the winner. Jamie Langenbrunner beat Rask five-hole in the shootout for New Jersey to leave Boston with two points. The game was also notable as Martin Brodeur became the NHL career leader in minutes played in that game, surpassing Patrick Roy. The Devils are currently 2-0 against Boston this season. Here is my recap from that game, and here is a short one at Stanley Cup of Chowder.
The Goal: Puck movement needs to be consistent and on-target. While there is much ado and frustration over the Devils' power play, the baser problem of puck movement plagued the Devils against the Islanders. From the final 3 minutes or so of the first period and all throughout the second period, the Devils just struggled to get the puck into the neutral zone, much less keep it within it and go into the offensive zone. The struggles got worse as the second wore on and the Islanders, surprising no one, took advantage and ultimately struck the goals needed to win the game.
Let's put it this way: were the Devils as inconsistent and ineffective in passing or clearing the puck against the Rangers or Pittsburgh, games that the Devils won? No. The Devils were able to move the puck effectively for the most part through all three periods. I don't think that's coincidence. Therefore, the Devils should make the effort to not only make smart reads with the puck, but actually pass it effectively. Otherwise, forget about the power play, we could very well see a repeat of what happened on Long Island.
Check out Stanley Cup of Chowder later for a Bruins' perspective on today's game. Read on for my further thoughts after the jump.
7 comments | 0 recs |
Looking Closer at the New Jersey Devils' Power Play Issues
by John Fischer on Mar 14, 2010 7:40 PM EDT
in Devils Issues & Views
8 comments
Last night, the New Jersey Devils were down 3-1 going into the third period against the New York Islanders. A laser of a slapshot by Ilya Kovalchuk pulled the Devils within one early in the third period and the attack was on. Dwayne Roloson was bombarded with rubber as the Devils did whatever they could to get the equalizer. Dylan Reese of the Islanders high-sticked Zach Parise in the face and drew blood, giving the Devils a four minute power play. Normally, this is a gift for the team down by one.
But the Devils not only squandered the opportunity, but surrendered a goal against that undercut the comeback effort. Sure, Blake Comeau tacked on a minor with 50 seconds left to leave a short 5-on-3 and an abbreviated 5-on-4, but again, the Devils didn't do much with. Of the 21 shots the Devils had in the third period, about 4 of them came on the power play that lasted over 5 minutes in that same period.
That's a problem. And it's not a new one. On Wednesday, the Devils' offense showed up, made Marc-Andre Fleury of the Pittsburgh Penguins work all night long, and scored 3 goals. Yet, when Craig Adams took a 5 minute major penalty for a hit from behind on Martin Skoula; the Devils' offense shrunk out there and only put a few shots on net. A later power play in the second period looked a little better but yielded later.
The power play for the New Jersey Devils has been frustrating to watch, considering the personnel involved. With another week of four games, surely, power play opportunities will come up for New Jersey. Let's discuss what the problems are in more detail in the hopes of finding some root cause to their power play struggles.
8 comments | 0 recs |
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recent FanPosts
FanShots
Quick hits of video, photos, quotes, chats, links and lists that you find around the web.
Recommended FanShots
Recent FanShots
Featured Stories
Player Fan Pages
Devils Schedule
Next 5 Games
Pittsburgh
|
Wed 03/17 | 7:00 PM EDT |
|
@
Toronto
|
Thu 03/18 | 7:30 PM EDT |
|
St. Louis
|
Sat 03/20 | 7:00 PM EDT |
|
Columbus
|
Tue 03/23 | 7:00 PM EDT |
|
New York Rangers
|
Thu 03/25 | 7:00 PM EDT |
Last 5 Games
|
Boston
|
Mon 03/15 | W 3 - 2 |
|
@
New York Islanders
|
Sat 03/13 | L 2 - 4 |
|
Pittsburgh
|
Fri 03/12 | W 3 - 1 |
|
New York Rangers
|
Wed 03/10 | W 6 - 3 |
|
@
Edmonton
|
Sun 03/07 | L 0 - 2 |
Certain photos copyright © 2010 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
