What a game, what a save from V2, and there were no passengers last night!
Welcome to the NHL, Max Willman!
Hibachi for all!
What’s on your mind?
[NHL FULL GAME HIGHLIGHTS](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lwRQlRB-wGg)
[NHL Game Center Preview](https://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/chi-vs-njd/2023/11/05/2023020174)
[ESPN Game Cast Preview](https://www.espn.com/nhl/game/_/gameId/401559408)
[Shift Chart](http://shiftchart.com/game/2023-11-05-devils-blackhawks)
[2023-24 Regular Season Schedule (November, all times EST)](https://www.nhl.com/devils/schedule/2023-11-01)
by Devil_Dane
6 Comments
Nice to see VV settling down. Need him and the defense to step up during this stretch.
Great game from Vitek. Seemed like Hughes was a bit more comfortable out there and was making some more simple plays rather than the flashy risky ones we have seen recently. Great effort and production from the guys who are usually our bottom six. Mercer stepped up and had a good game. Timo was on fire and it’s crazy that he did not score a goal. As far as I know, Smith didn’t take a penalty what more can I ask for?
My thoughts:
– another slow start. All 6 D were turning the puck over every time they made a first pass.
– I thought we responded well after the first 10 minutes. Carrying over from the Blues game, the Devils are missing alot of high high danger chances.
– huge statement game for the bottom 6. Teams like Chicago are the type of teams a strong bottom 6 should feast on.
– shout out to Mercer for getting the monkey off his back AND keeping the PP humming
– Vitek played a solid game, he didn’t have alot of action in the 3rd but he came up big a few times (save of the year candidate as well)
– Luke Hughes did not have a strong game. Makes alot of soft passes, gets pushed around too much. I’m still ok with his leash being longer, but his mistakes too often lead to high danger chances against
– read it here in the PGT, but McLeod is so much more than a 4th liner. Putting him with Bratt has worked well so far.
– wins for Jack and Nico, let’s gooo
McLeod has every tool of a top six player except the hands. We are lucky to have him to fill in with our top two centers injured. He was able to keep the top six feeling like a top six when it comes to puck control and chances produced.
Was at the game and was really impressed with how McLeod stepped up and Mercer’s play overall. Also found myself praising Bahl out loud several times; that guy has grown so much.
Also, and caveat here I don’t watch Blackhawks games, but Connor Bedard looks meh? Maybe it was this one game, but he was pretty much invisible out there. Chicago’s putting their hopes on a child build like a typhus-stricken Dickensian orphan?
Holtz played so well last night. I’m proud of his quick adjustments game over game