Quick Wristers: Short Thoughts Following the Devils 3-2 Loss to the Rangers

by Steve Lepore on Oct 5, 2009 9:54 PM EDT in Devils Game Recaps

Here are a few thoughts from yours truly after the game:

You know, an inconvenient time to figure out your school has DirecTV is 7:10 PM gametime. This caused a 30-minute wild goose chase between dorms and various restaurants. We finally found another means of seeing the game towards the end of the first...
Which is unfortunate, because that seemed to be exactly the time that the Devils offense was flat-out neutered. Give the Rangers credit, they played well, but last year's version of this team... well, it's always easy to say that with our Devils, but this game was there for the taking.
The Niedermayer line appears to be forechecking, but lacks finish, though Rob got a goal in the first.
The ZZ Pops line seems to be warming to the task, but was only rewarded with a sweet power play goal from Zajac on a great pass from Parise in the 1st.
The other two lines seemed kind of jumbled the rest of the way. Rolston and Zubrus showed flashes, but seemed irrelevant at even strength.
The fourth line is easily the worst this team has iced in quite some time. I am quite worried by the logic that Lou had to reach to give Andrew Peters a 2-year contract.
I hated losing this game. I hate losing to the Rangers more than I hate commies and dentist visits combined. But I hate losing to a mediocre Rangers team more than any of those things. I can't stand it.

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Good insight but not anything on how poorly your D was exposed. It’s Martin, Oduya and the rest are mediocre. When does Lou address this?

So we’re “mediocre” after 3 games minus Avery. Who needs to play the next 78?

by Kovy27 on Oct 5, 2009 10:38 PM EDT reply actions

Martin and Oduya have done pretty well last season, I’d give them time, really. Honestly, surrendering only 27 shots on net isn’t exactly “being exposed.”

Lou will address it if it remains a problem.

Devils in my heart! Devils in my mind! Devils in my eyes! Devils until I die!
In Lou We Trust - The Devils SBN Blog

by John Fischer on Oct 5, 2009 10:44 PM EDT up reply actions

Cant agree with this at all. Devils D played fairly well (some lapses here and there) bigger concern is the offense, after the first there wasnt much … Team clearly misses Elias, without him they are a one-line team.

by drhgzang on Oct 5, 2009 10:57 PM EDT up reply actions

out of sync...

The chemistry on each respected line is very weak, except for the 1st line in Parise-Zajac-Langenbrunner. Rob Niedermayer is still trying to catch up after joining the team so late, and he still got a goal. Pelley and Bergfors looked shaky at times. Once all these players get comfortable with each other, the team will start to progress. In time fellow NJ faithful…Elias will be back just in time for the team to start rolling…

by Matthew Ventolo on Oct 5, 2009 10:53 PM EDT reply actions

And by the time Elias will be back, these lines will be more set and better in-tune with each other.

But it’s going to be tough going early on as we saw tonight. Hopefully a trip to Tampa Bay and Sunrise will cure what ails them and get some confidence going.

Devils in my heart! Devils in my mind! Devils in my eyes! Devils until I die!
In Lou We Trust - The Devils SBN Blog

by John Fischer on Oct 5, 2009 11:43 PM EDT up reply actions

Disappointed In New Jersey

Marty seemed off balance and flat tonight..however he did have a bunch of key saves in the third to keep the Devils in it .. With Elias out there is no QB for the Power Play.. The Devils are having a hard time getting the puck down center ice… Devils defense is screening Marty they need to back out of his crease… they are not giving him room to make rebound saves or even see open ice at times.. Only 2 games in so no worries they will get it together.

by coldasice on Oct 5, 2009 10:56 PM EDT reply actions

Someone suggested that Marty might have the flu. I suspect maybe half of the team has the flu. I wouldn’t be surprised since they all look like they are a little bit off.

by MoonDragn on Oct 6, 2009 11:13 AM EDT reply actions