Playoff Thread: New Jersey Devils vs Florida Panthers

[MCDevils]

So are we expecting Gionta to be the guy on the 4th line? How long of a leash do we give this guy? If he slips up Harrold is right there to take his place, does that happen quickly since it's the playoffs or is he there unless some disaster happnes?

Gionta's frankly a much, much better option than Cam or Bolton IMO. I don't see them play Larsson at forward, so if you were going to go with 7 dmen, Larsson would have to be one of them. They could pull a Corrente with Harold. Or they could just skate 7 dmen (which would be very odd and screw up the pairings) and Double shift Kovy and Parise all game long.

 

[MCDevils]

BTW, I really hope for his sake Kovy gets a nice confidence goal early in the first game. He can really wind himself up in these interviews, and we're dead if he starts to grip the stick a bit too much.

 

[nj_cup]

yeah i think we made out in this series. we really shouldnt have to double shift anyone and maybe we can get away with playing gionta even though im shocked that he is our best callup from albany? what does that say?

 

[CalamityX11]

If we're thinking a long run at the cup, we need to rely on our normal lines getting the job the done rather than double shifting. If its the cup finals, double shift those fuckers hard!!!

 

[Nasty_Magician]

yeah i think we made out in this series. we really shouldnt have to double shift anyone and maybe we can get away with playing gionta even though im shocked that he is our best callup from albany? what does that say?

I'm guessing he's not the most skilled, but the most dependable on the defensive side. Could be way off on that. Like I said though, I'd almost rather have Harrold play the 4th line.

 

[CalamityX11]

That 4th line is a mystery at this point, the enforcers we have may not be needed this series. Damn JJ injury!!!

 

[nj_cup]

oh no! doesnt look like we will see moose these playoffs if marty faulters.

New Jersey Devils will have had six days of rest before opening-round Stanley Cup playoff series with Florida Panthers - NYPOST.com

didnt realize he had a running record of consecutive playoff starts.

lets just hope he doesnt have any carolina goals

 

[nj_cup]

im fine with gionta. hes not suppose to win the game he is just suppose to not lose it when he is on the ice while giving the top guys rest. simple to do lets hope!

 

[CalamityX11]

The Devils remain the oldest team in the league at an average of 29.7 years — “the goalies are each 100 years old,” protested Ilya Kovalchuk — and last month even coach Pete DeBoer was acknowledging some well-conditioned tanks were running low.

I knew we had some oldies but never thought/realized we were top in the league(very surprised)

 

[MCDevils]

yeah i think we made out in this series. we really shouldnt have to double shift anyone and maybe we can get away with playing gionta even though im shocked that he is our best callup from albany? what does that say?

You have to factor in the job they want him to do. It's the fourth line, they want an experienced guy that's good on defense. Also, he's the Albany captain, so he must be doing something right up there.

 

[MCDevils]

That 4th line is a mystery at this point, the enforcers we have may not be needed this series. Damn JJ injury!!!

The enforcers are never needed. If Carter and Bernier won't play physical, I'll be pissed.

 

[Nasty_Magician]

Wow Friday cannot get here soon enough. I actually think the layoff will be a good thing in the long run. Sure we sit around for a week and could get rusty, but so can the Panthers. The better team and the better coach should have the advantage with an extended break, not the other way around.

 

[nj_cup]

True but remember what happened in 07 with the canes.

Finish the season on a 11 game rip sweep the rangers. Bam layoff because the sweep then we get tossed in 5.

Layoffs do matter just like in football teams coming off the playoff bye

 

[MCDevils]

Although, this Devils team played it's best hockey after the all-star break.

 

[Nasty_Magician]

Larsson was the 7th defenseman today at practice and Harrold was practicing with the 2nd PP unit. Signs are pointing to the Swedish Hammer not playing Friday. Who would've predicted this a month ago?

 

[nj_cup]

Hmmmm not sure I dig this

 

[Nasty_Magician]

I really don't like it. Harrold was solid for the handful of games we saw him, but that doesn't mean he should get the nod over a guy that played the whole year. Not to mention, wouldn't it be better to get Larsson in this series rather than potentially needing him in a future series and him having no playoff experience?

 

[nj_cup]

Exactly if there is a series where we could afford a bad play here or there this is it.

 

[CalamityX11]

Exactly if there is a series where we could afford a bad play here or there this is it.

+1, got to go with Cup here.

Not demoting Harrold at all, but IDK, Larsson ATM needs to show Deboer more in practices and what not about being able to handle the pressure and remain stout in the back.

FLA should be an ok series for him to start off on. The panthers do not attack like the Pens or Flyers.

 

[nj_cup]

Exactly so if we make it next round the pressure only gets knocked up and your going to throw him into the fire?