New Jersey Devils vs New York Rangers - Preseason Game #3 Preview
by John Fischer on Sep 25, 2010 2:00 AM EDT
in Devils Game Previews
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The Time: 7:00 PM EDT
The TV Broadcast: MSG+(HD)
The Match-up: The New Jersey Devils (0-0-2) vs. the New York Rangers (1-0-0)
The Last Devils & Rangers Game: They played each other on Thursday night at MSG. The Rangers won 4-3 in overtime with a power play goal by Marian Gaborik. Here's my recap of that game. For the Rangers' perspective, Nick Montemagno has this recap at Blueshirt Banter.
The Goal: Again, the result doesn't matter - it's all about the performance. And they're going to be looked at more closely. Both the Devils (Tom Gulitti has the cut list for NJ at Fire & Ice) and Rangers (Steve Zipay reported this list on Blue Notes at Newsday) made their first cuts in training camp. Those remaining are either sure-fire NHL players or those still in consideration. Keep a very close eye on those who would fall in the latter group. It's not enough to get on the gameday roster, they'll have to perform to survive the second and/or final cut. That goes for both teams. Please continue after the jump for further thoughts on tonight's game.
While both teams made their first cuts, a lot of attention should be paid to those beyond the first line or first defensive pairing. They're going to consist of the battles on both rosters. I noted that the Devils have 7 healthy players still in camp that haven't been in preseason yesterday. I'm not optimistic for most of them for their chances in making the team. If they were impressing, why haven't they gotten a game yet?
Still, I'd certainly like to see some of them either tonight or on Tuesday against the Flyers at the Rock. Among them, I really want to see Tyler Eckford the most since he could break through the roster with his two-way skills and having more experience than Matt Taormina. According this post by Rich Chere at NJ.com, Eckford is hopeful for an opportunity to make his mark on the depth chart. I don't disagree, especially since the Devils gave a game to the eventually-going-back-to-junior Eric Gelinas. I see no reason to not give Eckford a game.
As far as who will be playing, it's completely unclear as of this writing (9:15 PM on 9/24). While they skated with the second group on Friday, Tom Gulitti reported that Zach Parise told him that their line will play tonight. Presumably, that means a second straight night of Parise, Travis Zajac, and Ilya Kovalchuk zipping about on offense. Given how important it'll be for them to communicate and develop with each other, I'm fine with them getting a second straight game as a unit. Hopefully it's not a second straight night of them carrying the offense. Gulitti also learned that Martin Brodeur won't start, which is fine he doesn't need this game; that Jamie Langenbrunner won't be in the line up, also fine as his spot isn't in danger; and that Jacob Josefson will likely sit this game out to ensure his sore foot is fully healed. That doesn't really say a whole lot, and of course, it can all change right before gametime anyway.
If there's someone I wouldn't mind seeing get a second straight game, it's Mattias Tedenby. As Rich Chere noted on Thursday night, he wasn't happy with how he did. Fair enough. Now that he's got it out of the way, I'd like to see how he would respond - especially with different wingers. This is just a personal hope, but I'd love to see him with Vladimir Zharkov on his opposite wing. It likely won't happen and I understand - I'm just hoping.
So let me say that in addition to wanting to see Tyler Eckford, there are few others I wouldn't want to see play tonight. I don't think there's a lot to be gained from playing Brad Mills and Matthew Corrente in a third straight preseason game. Both have done all right in their two games, I just want to see others get a shot on the lineup. I don't see the purpose of giving minor league vets like Rob Davison and Stephen Gionta another game unless the Devils honestly think they're in contention for a spot on New Jersey. I don't think they are, there's a reason why they are AHL veterans. Especially in Gionta's case since the Devils have two players on try-out who can play wing as well as center in Adam Mair and Marcus Nilson in addition to several forwards from the AHL that haven't gotten a game yet still in camp. Of course, in all of this cases, I accept that I could/may/will be proven wrong. So it may be.
Speaking of, I don't know if Nilson warrants a third straight preseason game. I wasn't impressed with his performance in the first game, and he was a late fill-in for Josefson on Thursday night and didn't impress. I'm still waiting to see what he can do. At least Mair has thrown some hits, some punches, and did some PK work. He helped the team in his own way; whereas Nilson hasn't been noticeable. He does know it's a try-out, right?
As far as the team performance goes, I want to see fewer penalties tonight period. Handing an opponent 7 power plays is just unacceptable regardless if the game counts or not. I'd also like to see a better power play. It's not so much of the lack of scoring that bothers me, just the lack of sustained pressure on it. According to Gulitti, man advantage plays were a focus of Friday's practices. Let's see Adam Oates' direction leads to an improved PP tonight. Again, I'm not looking for goals, just consistent, offensive possession. If the Devils can establish that, then the goals will eventually come.
In any case, check out Gulitti and Chere on Saturday for updated news for tonight's game. Feel free to link to any updates in the comments. Also, please feel free to discuss tonight's game ahead of the GameThread in the comments. Talk about who you want to see, who you don't, and what expectations you have for tonight's game. And again, the results don't matter tonight - it's all about performances from here to October 2. Kevin will take care of you with a GameThread and a recap for tonight's game. Thanks for reading, and go Devils.
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Looks like the Parise, Zajac, Kovalchuk line is definitely going to be the Devils #1 line on opening night? I’m still nervous about them putting Parise and Kovalchuk on the same line (all the eggs in one basket thing), so I think the best thing to calm those fears would be to see the Elias, Arnott, Langenbrunner line perform well really soon into the regular season.
I hope their work on the PP during practice bears fruit during the game tomorrow. Keeping the puck in the zone for extended periods of time would be a huge step forward.
"Everything is status quo." - Lou Lamoriello
"*Heavy groan*" - The Entirety of Devils Nation
All eggs in one basket? We still have Elias on the 2nd line and that line can provide offense. People need to chill..its not a big deal we have a lot of talented players why not take advantage.
by zach parise9 on Sep 25, 2010 10:03 AM EDT up reply actions
Because we all remember recent teams like TB and Ottawa that relied too heavily on one line producing getting shut down when it mattered most.
Secondary scoring has been a concern for the Devils for a while now, and adding Kovalchuk certainly helps that concern… but it’s disconcerting to see that depth seemingly undercut by cramming all the top scoring talent together on one line rather than spread out.
If it works, it works. I have my reservations about the EAL line being good enough to consistently provide that secondary scoring, but I’d be happy to be wrong.
Playing Devils' advocate since 1982.
by elesias on Sep 25, 2010 10:17 AM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
I have to second everything said just above here.
I particularly have little faith in an Elias-Arnott-Langenbrunner line to score consistently. Part of it is an age factor — all three are clearly on the downslopes of their careers. Part of it is the injury factor, as both Elias and Arnott have been banged up in recent years.
And part of it is that I just don’t see how they’re going to score a ton of goals. Sure, Elias and Arnott both have track records of putting a fair number of pucks in the net. That being said, Elias’ numbers have generally been in decline for a number of years, and many of us view him more as a playmaker than a passer. Arnott has better numbers since the lockout, but he’s also been the #1 center the last four years in Nashville and won’t have the same role (and ice time, and opportunities) in Jersey. As far as Langenbrunner goes, I’ve never really seen him as a scorer, but more as a playmaker — even when Jamie had his career-high 29 goals two years ago, Parise scored 45 (and Zajac added 20 more), so it wasn’t like he was the designated sniper on his line.
It just seems to me that putting your two best finishers (Parise, Kovalchuk) on one line, and your two best playmaking wingers (Elias, Langenbrunner) together on another line is not making optimal use of our assets.
I don’t see why people are making a big deal about this. If it doesn’t work, it doesn’t work. It is something that can be easily fixed.
by C.J. Richey on Sep 25, 2010 12:07 PM EDT up reply actions
No one is making a big deal about it, just showing concern. It seems a baffling, counter-productive move, and if it doesn’t work out and things go to how we originally projected them (ZZPops and KAE), there’s less time to get them on the same page before the season starts.
It wouldn’t be the end of the world, but it could be problematic.
Playing Devils' advocate since 1982.
I doubt it. Lemaire changed lines all the time. I highly doubt changing lines once well be a problem.
by C.J. Richey on Sep 25, 2010 12:48 PM EDT up reply actions
That Jacques Lemaire changed lines all the time was part of the problem — nobody ever developed much chemistry with one another, and nobody ever really had the chance to as well. It is always underappreciated or vastly overblown, but there is something to line chemistry and some degree to which it augments performance.
I’m not saying that the Devils should decide on their lines and set them in stone until the end of the season (or somebody gets hurt, whichever comes first)…. but I think it will be disruptive if the Devils go with one set of lines now and then have to shuffle things a week into the season.
We really can’t claim that anything is counter productive yet, as we haven’t seen how the two lines perform together in a real game. Once that happens, then we can say whether this was a horrible idea
by devilstuckinkansas on Sep 25, 2010 3:53 PM EDT up reply actions
Just said that it seems counter-productive, not that it was. It’s obviously quite too early to make such statements, not only because we don’t know for certain that that is how the lines will be come opening night, but also because we don’t even know what the opening night roster will look like.
Playing Devils' advocate since 1982.
That being said, Elias’ numbers have generally been in decline for a number of years, and many of us view him more as a playmaker than a passer.
That is not necessarily true. In 08-09 he put up his best numbers since the lockout. Granted last year his numbers were not so high but he was out a lot on injury. He played 74+ games for the three years prior. (The year before that he had to heal from hepatitis he caught in Russia) While he is not going to put up his pre-lockout numbers, I could easily see him playing 70+ games and putting up 70 points.
Arnott has better numbers since the lockout, but he’s also been the #1 center the last four years in Nashville and won’t have the same role (and ice time, and opportunities) in Jersey.
He is playing between 2 playmakers and with teams stacking there shut down defense men against the ZIp line he should have plenty of chances.
I do see Langs declining, but overall I could see that line putting 70 goals total.
It just seems to me that putting your two best finishers (Parise, Kovalchuk) on one line, and your two best playmaking wingers (Elias, Langenbrunner) together on another line is not making optimal use of our assets.
I always thought of Parise as more of a playmaking scorer rather than a pure scorer. Kovy is clearly a sniper, but with Zajac is playmaker. And Arnott is a goal scorer and I could see Elias putting up more goals if needed.
While I do see your the that putting your best players on the top line is risky, Elias – Arrnott – Langs I believe has enough talent to let something like that occur.
TB had absolutely no depth beyond their top 4 players, and ottawa was quite similar. TB didn’t get shut down by new jersey, they dominated new jersey, but absolutely no one else pitched in.
So you have confidence that the Eggs in a Basket Line will receive sufficient secondary scoring support where those teams did not?
I, myself, don’t. We don’t even know what the third and fourth lines are going to look like yet, since we don’t know who will be moved to fit under the cap, but even as it stands now I don’t see where that consistent scoring is going to come from to keep the pressure off of the first line.
Playing Devils' advocate since 1982.
yes but i mean if our third line center is josefson/mair which at this point seems likely. we still have (maybe zubrus) clarkson and rolston. While rolston well, stinks he still puts up 20 goals and clarkson can put up 20 if he stays healthy so depth wise we are pretty fine
Rolston put up 20 goals largely on the strength (and generosity, in the case of number 20) of his line mates last year. Dropping their quality and his TOI by keeping him on the third line isn’t likely going to result in another 20 goal season unless he’s a part of a markedly improved PP.
Playing Devils' advocate since 1982.
Rolston put up most of his 20 goals while playing on the second line with Patrick Elias. If he’s banished to the third line this season, he won’t have the same ice time and opportunities, and he won’t have the same caliber of linemates and set-up. The only way he scores 20 as a third line winger is if he’s a regular on the second PP and scoring a bunch of goals there.
While I do see your point he is only a couple years removed from a 30+ goal seasons (granted he was playing on the first line, but in a very defensive system).
He may be playing on third line but I could see him subbing for injuries on the top 2 lines plus he is still going to get pp time. I do not see 20 goals as being too radical for him.
And those 30 goal seasons are why he was given his current contract, but he’s yet to live up to it no matter where he plays… and he’s been given opportunities to shine; even getting his old coach under whom he had those 30 goal seasons back.
Unfortunately, I think we’ve seen the best we’re ever going to see out of Brian and so I can’t put as much faith in his abilities to provide the secondary scoring the team will need. It could happen; but I don’t think its wise to hold out hope for a rapidly diminishing possibility.
Playing Devils' advocate since 1982.
did parise and zajac receive secondary scoring before kovalchuk showed up to the team? the answer is yes. should parise zajac and kovalchuk score around a combined 75 goals at even strength? that answer also is yes. did elias and arnott have halfway decent seasons last year that suggest that they can still score even at their advanced age? yes.
‘consistent’ scoring is one of those fun terms that means not very much. the devils will go through rough patches, like all teams do, but there’s no reason to think that things will stay the same if things aren’t going well.
Considering EAL will likely be facing the other team’s top line, I have less faith than you do at their ability to provide the necessary secondary scoring, concerns about injuries aside.
And beyond them, I have even less faith in the depth of the team to provide enough.
Consistency in scoring is one of those fun terms that helps a team win when they should, and sometimes when they shouldn’t, and separates the great teams from the not great teams.
Playing Devils' advocate since 1982.
what makes you think EAL would be facing anyone’s top line? and even if they are, that just makes the parise-kovalchuk line even better.
consistency is a meaningless term, again promulgated by journalists, that should just mean efficacy or ability.
Because the Eggs in a Basket Line will most likely see the opposition’s checking line, leaving EAL to try and match up against their top line.
Consistency is not a meaningless term. Great players and teams are considered great because they are consistently great, not just great in stretches.
Playing Devils' advocate since 1982.
checking line? there aren’t that many teams that use checking lines in the traditional sense; many teams will match strength on strength. hell, if the other team doesn’t do it, new jersey should do it themselves.
The only bone of contention I have with this statement is that Tampa and Ottawa pretty much had NOBODY outside their top line…a pretty obvious lack of depth. That is not a problem that we have. True, we may have our three best forwards on a line together, but lots of teams do. And unlike those Tampa and Ottawa teams, the Elias line has plenty of skill on it as well. And assuming Zubrus keeps up this new found play of his, and Clarkson finds a way to regain his, that’s two pretty talented players on the third line.
Whether or not they produce of course is another issue, but at least the depth is there.
Dear Brian Rolston, please waive your no trade clause and leave New Jersey. Love, everyone.
by thejerseydevil on Sep 25, 2010 12:58 PM EDT up reply actions
Per TG, we'll get to see the (almost) full line up tonight.
At least defense and top 2 lines wise. http://blogs.northjersey.com/blogs/fireice/
For those internet impaired, here’s the line up for the morning skate;
ZIP
Elias-Arnott-Vasyunov
Rolston-Sestito-Clarkson
PL3- Mills-Wiseman.
Greene-Salvador
Urbom-Tallinder
Volchenkov-Taormina,
Hedberg, McKenna.
Tip: Linking to the post is better - avoids people from looking for the post you're referring too.
Elias and Arnott are skating with ZIP right now – with Vasyunov at right wing. So Elias-Arnott get a game to further get ready and it hopefully means the team won’t be relying on just one line – at least not tonight.
Brad Mills, Pierre-Luc Letourneau-Leblond, and Matt Taormina (!?) are getting another game after playing on Thursday. I’m really surprised that Mills is endearing that much to staff. As far as any preseason debuts for this season: Chad Wiseman and Tim Sestito are in this group and could be in tonight’s lineup. Poor Swift, Magnan-Grenier, Davis,McIntyre, and unfortunately Eckford.
Devils in my heart! Devils in my mind! Devils in my eyes! Devils until I die!
In Lou We Trust - The New Jersey Devils SBN Blog
by John Fischer on Sep 25, 2010 10:22 AM EDT up reply actions
We saw Thursday that Josefson was in the morning skate, but did not play. This is probable but not certain.
I think Taormina’s getting another look as Mac knows he can potentially bring a good number of points from the back end. Wasn’t Thursday his first NHL game, preseason or not? Maybe Mac’s of the mindset that Tao’s play could be chalked up to nerves.
Regardless if he plays well or not, I want to see Eckford get the next game. Other than that, I’m glad to see Urbom/Tallinder get another game. As of now, I see that as our new pairing (although a lack of sample size is obvious), and another game for them to get used to each other is great.
BC kid
What happened to the BC kid matt lombardi ? I know nj signed him. No preseason game
by 201Devil on Sep 25, 2010 11:27 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Oh, I guess there’s another one. Oops.
by undersuspicion426 on Sep 25, 2010 3:01 PM EDT up reply actions
TG has posted the players participating in today’s morning skate who are presumably playing tonight unless they get injured or Josefson is deemed OK to play today.
Forwards: Zach Parise-Travis Zajac-Ilya Kovalchuk; Patrik Elias-Jason Arnott-Alexander Vasyunov; Brian Rolston-Tim Sestito-David Clarkson, PLL Leblond-Brad Mills-Chad Wiseman.
Defensemen: Andy Greene-Bryce Salvador; Alex Urbom-Henrik Tallinder, Anton Volchenkov-Matt Taormina,
Goaltenders: Johan Hedberg, Mike McKenna.
The inclusion of Vasyunov and Rolston and exclusion of Langenbrunner, Zubrus, and Zharkov certainly raises eyebrows for me. I know we shouldn’t read too much into it, but I can’t help but wonder whether a trade involving Zubrus and Langenbrunner is in the works. Why take those two off of lines that they have consistently played with? And why does it seem like Zharkov is an afterthought right now, while Vasyunov gets prime playing time? (but he certainly deserves it)
Also interesting is that Taormina is getting another shot while Eckford will not play again, and that Salvador (who we all thought was the most likely to not be with the team by the beginning of the season) continues to be paired with Andy Greene (who will almost certainly not be traded).
Please include a link next time, also...
The inclusion of Vasyunov and Rolston and exclusion of Langenbrunner, Zubrus, and Zharkov certainly raises eyebrows for me. I know we shouldn’t read too much into it, but I can’t help but wonder whether a trade involving Zubrus and Langenbrunner is in the works. Why take those two off of lines that they have consistently played with?
I’m not sure if consistently should be applied to a unit that played one preseason game. Moreover, Langenbrunner and Zubrus have nothing to prove – there’s no danger that they won’t make it to the New Jersey roster outside of a trade. As for Zharkov, well, he just has to hope the other wingers don’t sparkle.
Devils in my heart! Devils in my mind! Devils in my eyes! Devils until I die!
In Lou We Trust - The New Jersey Devils SBN Blog
by John Fischer on Sep 25, 2010 10:26 AM EDT up reply actions
BC kid
What happened to the BC kid matt lombardi ? I know nj signed him. No preseason game.
by 201Devil on Sep 25, 2010 11:24 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
No preseason game. He was sent to Albany
by C.J. Richey on Sep 25, 2010 11:42 AM EDT up reply actions
Various Line Sources
Well it seems like everyone has their own source of what the lines will be tonight. I would like to see volchenkov and tallinder in the lineup tonight and the 2/3 A line out tonight. I’m really hoping the devils will play the ZIP line and 2/3 A line so we can all see how they will be firing on all pistons.
From Gulitti
This is the Devils likely line-up:
Here again is the Devils’ likely lineup tonight:
Forwards: Zach Parise-Travis Zajac-Ilya Kovalchuk; Patrik Elias-Jason Arnott-Alexander Vasyunov; Brian Rolston-Tim Sestito-David Clarkson; PLL Leblond-Brad Mills-Chad Wiseman.
Defensemen: Andy Greene-Anton Volchenkov; Alex Urbom-Henrik Tallinder; Bryce Salvador-Matt Taormina.
Goaltenders: Johan Hedberg, Mike McKenna.
I’m interested in the potential 3rd line of Rolston-Sestito-Clarkson. Sestito has a chance to prove something in his first game. He playing the right wing with Mills and Leblond; it’s each their 3rd game. It’s also Chad Wiseman’s first game. This defense may look familiar (at least 83% of it) in the future.
In Lou We Trust: SBN Blog of the New Jersey Devils
"Hockey is the only job I know where you get paid to have a nap on the day of the game." - Chico Resch
by Matthew Ventolo on Sep 25, 2010 2:47 PM EDT reply actions
If you put White instead of Salvador and Taormina justifies his minutes, I wouldn’t be all that surprised if that was the final lineup (I do feel Eckford would make the team over him though, and Fraser or Corrente would be the 7th d, barring trades). For all the crap he gets here, White would be an EXCELLENT 3rd pairing player, and would help whatever player he is paired with immensely.
I touched on it above, but would anyone be surprised if either Fraser or Corrente are left on the outside looking in and/or are being used as trade bait? I get that kinda looming feeling that could happen. Both are relatively cheap players with some upside (Corrente moreso IMO), and I feel like they are being shopped in the preseason.
Yeah, 83% is 5/6; I should say more 4/6 close to the final defensive pairings.
Also, MacLean is switching up the defensive parings, so I wouldn’t be surprised if he did this with the forwards the next game or 2.
In Lou We Trust: SBN Blog of the New Jersey Devils
"Hockey is the only job I know where you get paid to have a nap on the day of the game." - Chico Resch
by Matthew Ventolo on Sep 25, 2010 4:21 PM EDT up reply actions
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