How Concerned Should We Be?

by Tyler Bleszinski on Mar 26, 2009 3:13 AM EDT Comment 2 comments

I was really excited about the Devils this year. It's been feeling special all season long, except for maybe the seven-10 games right after Marty went down. The Devs struggled to find their footing in those games and I thought we were going to be in for a long year without our franchise goalie.

One thing I've been concerned about for a while is that the Devils have been very healthy for the majority of the season. Yes they've had a few nicks and bumps here and there, but right now this team is missing Colin White, Patrick Elias and a few other guys seem a little banged up. I saw Jamie Langenbrunner get caught on the boards the other night in Philly and I thought he was going down too.

Still if injuries were my only concern, I wouldn't be fretting too much. But it's not just that. Marty has looked pretty human the last couple of games, at times overplaying the angles, especially on the power play. And speaking of the power play, the Devils penalty killing has been absolutely killing them of late. They've allowed so many power play goals that they will not survive past the first round unless they get that rectified. The NHL is a different league these days and if a team can not kill penalties, they will not win the Stanley Cup.

Also, I'm concerned about Zach Parise and the playoffs. Why, you might ask? Well simple. The game against the Boston Bruins really concerned me. Parise will see extra attention in the playoffs. If the Devils wind up playing the Rangers, you will see Avery all over Parise. If they play the Canadiens, you're going to see Komisarek each and every shift. They are not going to stop banging him around and paying extra attention to him and for the first time to me, it looked like Zach wilted when Chara did just that the other day. Zach didn't look like himself at all. Maybe it's just a late season fatigue for Parise, but I'm hoping that he snaps out of it soon.

I could just be overreacting as the Devils have hit very few bumps in what has otherwise been a stellar year. There is just enough there to make me feel like our boys in red and black are vulnerable right now as the worst time of the year. I suppose the upcoming games should tell us something about them.

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I'm sure some of you feel this way

So I put this up on the front page.

Yes, the Devils’ penalty kill has been, well, killing New Jersey as of late. It’s unreasonable to expect the Devils to take zero penalties (though, not taking stupid penalties should be expected!). The PK units have to do better. Yes, the Devils’ power play hasn’t been all that powerful – though that isn’t new to fans of the team unless you became a fan this year. But it’s a bit more than not scoring on the power play, it also involves not generating many chances on said power plays. In that Philly game, I wasn’t kidding when they wasted that 4 minute power play – they only got one shot on Biron in that 4 minute timespan!

Fortunately, the Devils worked on both areas in practice today according to Gulitti. Elias, White, and Greene all practiced and it’s likely Elias will play tomorrow. White is a gameday decision, though. So the banged up players are coming back a bit.

I wouldn’t worry so much about Parise. He’s been in the league for a few years and taking lots of hits isn’t new to him. The guy goes into the corners, to the slot, and works down low constantly on offense. He’s been hit before and he’ll be hit again. Parise will still make an effort out there.

Overall, I’d look at it this way. The Bruins, Sharks, and Red Wings have went through stretches where they looked less than stellar for a few games. They had to get whatever was bothering them out their system and they remain as top teams in the league.

But given how the Devils have been this season, I think they’ll rebound soon and finish strong. I’d only worry if the Devils are struggling by, say, April 4.

Devils in my heart! Devils in my mind! Devils in my eyes! Devils until I die!

by John Fischer on Mar 26, 2009 7:45 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Devils will be fine.

I think it is only natural to worry about the Devils but I still believe that this years team is something special and that they will bounce back starting tonight. All they have to do is tighten up the defense a notch and cut down on the penalties. The rangers are nothing to worry about check out the score tonight a 5-4 loss to Atlanta. (after leading 4-1) . I believe just like Sutter said that they hit a wall. I expect them to bounce back tomorrow night against Chicago and Marty will have a strong game..

Donald Vasquez

by don_vas on Mar 26, 2009 10:17 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs