HUGE Area where the Devils can take advantage of Florida

[MCDevils]

Florida
PK 79% 3rd Worst in East (Worst of any playoff team)
However, Florida took the 3rd fewest penalties in the east as well.

So the Devils need to work their asses off against the Florida players. Make them take penalties, and then capitalize.

Florida 3rd most PP opportunities among Eastern playoff teams.
3rd Best PP% among playoff teams.

Devils: Best Penalty Kill in modern era.

Special teams are already looming large.

 

[TheRobotDevil]

Devils need their A game regardless cant afford any lapses vs fla

 

[BadMotoWeazal]

Kinda like a street fight.... Get mean, get nasty... Once you have them down, never let them up. Ground & pound.

 

[irishwhip03]

Daneyko was talking about it last night on Hockey Night Live..you shutdown their top line and their done! The Cats have no depth..and I dont wanna take away anything from Clemmenson's great game last night but he had to make some Marty-like saves to keep the Canes off the scoreboard...a bad team with 1 foot already in their offseason. That in all likelyhood wont continue again a better offensive team in the most important games of the year.

I totally get some fans being a little bit worried no matter who we played but the Panthers shouldnt be a playoff team. The fact that they actually won the division says more about the Backstrom and Green injuries then it does anything else.

 

[nj_cup]

the devils have them beat in every single category. penatly kill is huge not only because of it being the best ever. but you keep them on their toes if you can atleast get 1 chance to score everytime out there put them on edge.

 

[CalamityX11]

got to beat the goalie early and often... start wearing him down and destroy his confidence... no slacking!!!!

 

[I cAnT wAtCh]

Daneyko was talking about it last night on Hockey Night Live..you shutdown their top line and their done! The Cats haveno depth..and I dont wanna take away anything from Clemmenson's great game last nightbut he had to make some Marty-like saves to keep the Canes off the scoreboard...a bad team with 1 foot already in their offseason. That in all likelyhood wont continue again a better offensive team in the most important games of the year. I totally get some fans being a little bit worriedno matter who we playedbut the Panthers shouldnt be a playoff team. The fact that they actually won the division says more about the Backstrom and Green injuries then it does anything else.

The Panthers have some depth; they just have no star.

 

[TheRobotDevil]

I think some of you are taking the Panthers a little too lightly which is exactly what the devils cant do.Clemmer is 4-0 against the Devils.I also wouldn't forget about how they shut us down in the regular season.Fla is a very under rated and dangerous team we have good reason to worry.We need to come out of the gates strong and avoid lapses or they will capitalize.Like Moto said we need to play physical and set a tone for the series Fla can skate and finish

 

[irishwhip03]

I really dont see it , and Ive watched about 20 or so of their games this season..just lookin it up now I see that they have 9 guys who scored 10 or more goals. Which is impressive but compared to other teams in the playoffs they might have the worst depth. The top line is stellar. And I like their Dmen. But if the Devs shutdown that top line , on even strength and the PP , they should be in great shape.

I just cant see guys like Goc or Wolski being the ones that kill us.

 

[TheRobotDevil]

I really dont see it , and Ive watched about 20 or so of their games this season..just lookin it up now I see that they have 9 guys who scored 10 or more goals. Which is impressive but compared to other teams in the playoffs they might have the worst depth. The top line is stellar. And I like their Dmen. But if the Devs shutdown that top line , on even strength and the PP , they should be in great shape.

I just cant see guys like Goc or Wolski being the ones that kill us.

I'm not looking at their other games but how they played us.Its good to be confident but bad to be over confident.As far as depth their were plenty of stretches where our depth didnt show up.To be honest before I start passing judgement I'm going to see how game 1 to see which devils team shows up.

 

[irishwhip03]

I'm not looking at their other games but how they played us.Its good to be confident but bad to be over confident.As far as depth their were plenty of stretches where our depth didnt show up.To be honest before I start passing judgement I'm going to see how game 1 to see which devils team shows up.

Fair point..I wont say we should be any kind of favorites in this series. It could def go either way. And maybe I am underestimating the Panthers. But I just feel that if they beat us 4 games something bad must have happened on our part.

Either way it'll be fun to watch Devils playoff hockey again.

 

[TheRobotDevil]

They key for me is definitely which Devils team shows up when the forwards work,forecheck and skate they have the ability to be amazing on offense.When they come out flat and chase the puck and make sloppy passes they are awful.Another major key is going to be our defense which has been very back and fourth this year.If we are to take any series this year they need to play responsible in front of the net and make solid outlet passes we cant afford the sloppy shit.The plus is Zajac should be a major help on the backcheck.I have liked what our defense has done as far as jumping in the play as of late they need to maintain that timing.Either way it should be a tough fought series and definitely no cake walk

 

[BadMotoWeazal]

If we play our game, then I don't see us losing to the Swamp Cats. Defense just needs to make sure to control the rebound, keep the area in front of the goal crease clear & get the puck out of the zone. Marty should be a pillar on the ice, I'll bet he doesn't even get butterflies anymore as many playoff games he's been in.

 

[TheRobotDevil]

If we play our game, then I don't see us losing to the Swamp Cats. Defense just needs to make sure to control the rebound, keep the area in front of the goal crease clear & get the puck out of the zone. Marty should be a pillar on the ice, I'll bet he doesn't even get butterflies anymore as many playoff games he's been in.

Defense will be vital in this series and our forwards need to make them work for the puck in the defensive zone

 

[nj_cup]

does the layoff kill them 6 game win streak?

 

[TheRobotDevil]

does the layoff kill them 6 game win streak?

not fond of the layoff may kill momentum but it also may give some players much needed rest.Could go either way IMO

 

[MCDevils]

Kinda like a street fight.... Get mean, get nasty... Once you have them down, never let them up. Ground & pound.

This makes no sense to me. Why would the Devils want to play this style of game, when they obviously have an advantage regarding offensive ability over the Panthers. We should play to our strengths. Work hard, aggressive fore-check, spend time in the other teams end.

 

[MCDevils]

does the layoff kill them 6 game win streak?

I think they'll be ok. The practice time will definitely help them. Kovy and Zach are hopefully in good places mentally after the 6 game winning streak. Also, I think that, while Deboer won't tire them out, he'll keep the team busy. As long as they're not sitting around thinking about the playoffs they will be fine.

Everything I've read seems to indicate that the coaching staff is very hands in with video prep, etc and that the players are really buying into it.

 

[BadMotoWeazal]

This makes no sense to me. Why would the Devils want to play this style of game, when they obviously have an advantage regarding offensive ability over the Panthers. We should play to our strengths. Work hard, aggressive fore-check, spend time in the other teams end.

Pretty much what I was saying... Work Hard = Ground.... Fore-Check = Pound... Get the lead, don't let up...

 

[Nasty_Magician]

3 things that have killed our PP this year that cannot happen in the playoffs are:

1: The Panthers blue line cannot turn into some impenetrable wall. For some reason throughout the year we get into these weird situations where we can't get into the zone and setup for an extended attack.

2: Kovy cannot have the hiccups on the point. He needs to be able to control the puck and not let it hop over his stick, or dick around with it long enough for the defender to knock it loose.

3: Whoever is playing point opposite Kovy cannot get caught pinching or standing flat footed and leave Kovy alone to defend.

These are the 3 things that have led to all the shorthanded goals we've let up.