2023020236
[NHL.com Boxscore](https://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/2023020236)
|Teams|1st|2nd|3rd|Total|
|:–:|:–:|:–:|:–:|:–:|
|[NJD](/r/devils)|0|2|1|3|
|[WPG](/r/winnipegjets)|0|3|3|6|
##Team Stats
|Team|Shots|Hits|Blocks|FOW%|Giveaways|Takeaways|Power Play|PIM|
|:–:|:–:|:–:|:–:|:–:|:–:|:–:|:–:|:–:|
|[NJD](/r/devils)|34|18|10|52.5%|3|3|2/5|17|
|[WPG](/r/winnipegjets)|31|13|21|47.5%|10|2|2/4|19|
##Goals
|Period|Time|Team|Strength|Description|
|:–:|:–:|:–:|:–:|:–:|
|2nd|08:07|[WPG](/r/winnipegjets)|Even|[Kyle Connor (12) wrist shot, assist(s): Josh Morrissey (10), Alex Iafallo (9)](https://players.brightcove.net/6415718365001/EXtG1xJ7H_default/index.html?videoId=6341133720112)|
|2nd|13:54|[WPG](/r/winnipegjets)|Power Play|[Cole Perfetti (5) wrist shot, assist(s): Kyle Connor (7), Josh Morrissey (11)](https://players.brightcove.net/6415718365001/EXtG1xJ7H_default/index.html?videoId=6341134713112)|
|2nd|14:54|[NJD](/r/devils)|Power Play|[Timo Meier (5) wrist shot, assist(s): Ondrej Palat (5), Jesper Bratt (13)](https://players.brightcove.net/6415718365001/EXtG1xJ7H_default/index.html?videoId=6341134241112)|
|2nd|16:06|[NJD](/r/devils)|Even|[John Marino (1) wrist shot, assist(s): Curtis Lazar (1), Luke Hughes (7)](https://players.brightcove.net/6415718365001/EXtG1xJ7H_default/index.html?videoId=6341132489112)|
|2nd|18:10|[WPG](/r/winnipegjets)|Even|[Nikolaj Ehlers (3) wrist shot, assist(s): Cole Perfetti (8), Dylan Samberg (3)](https://players.brightcove.net/6415718365001/EXtG1xJ7H_default/index.html?videoId=6341133676112)|
|3rd|09:54|[WPG](/r/winnipegjets)|Power Play|[Kyle Connor (13) slap shot, assist(s): Mark Scheifele (13), Josh Morrissey (12)](https://players.brightcove.net/6415718365001/EXtG1xJ7H_default/index.html?videoId=6341136164112)|
|3rd|11:58|[WPG](/r/winnipegjets)|Even|[Morgan Barron (3) snap shot, assist(s): Vladislav Namestnikov (5)](https://players.brightcove.net/6415718365001/EXtG1xJ7H_default/index.html?videoId=6341136473112)|
|3rd|14:17|[NJD](/r/devils)|Power Play|Dawson Mercer (3) wrist shot, assist(s): Dougie Hamilton (6), Erik Haula (3)|
|3rd|18:29|[WPG](/r/winnipegjets)|Even|Nikolaj Ehlers (4) wrist shot, assist(s): None|
##Penalties
|Period|Time|Team|Type|Min|Description|
|:–:|:–:|:-:|:–:|:–:|:–:|
|1st|05:32|[WPG](/r/winnipegjets)|MIN|2|Nikolaj Ehlers hooking against Brendan Smith|
|1st|16:43|[NJD](/r/devils)|MIN|2|Dougie Hamilton interference against Mark Scheifele|
|2nd|13:23|[NJD](/r/devils)|MIN|2|Tyler Toffoli cross-checking against Nino Niederreiter|
|2nd|14:07|[WPG](/r/winnipegjets)|MIN|2|Dylan DeMelo interference against Timo Meier|
|3rd|02:27|[WPG](/r/winnipegjets)|MIN|2|Brenden Dillon high-sticking against Curtis Lazar|
|3rd|07:20|[NJD](/r/devils)|MIN|2|Brendan Smith boarding against Vladislav Namestnikov|
|3rd|07:20|[WPG](/r/winnipegjets)|MIN|2|Nikolaj Ehlers cross-checking against Brendan Smith|
|3rd|07:20|[NJD](/r/devils)|MAJ|5|Brendan Smith fighting against Nikolaj Ehlers|
|3rd|07:20|[WPG](/r/winnipegjets)|MAJ|5|Nikolaj Ehlers fighting against Brendan Smith|
|3rd|08:15|[NJD](/r/devils)|MIN|2|Curtis Lazar hooking against Kyle Connor|
|3rd|13:15|[WPG](/r/winnipegjets)|MIN|2|Josh Morrissey cross-checking against Tyler Toffoli|
|3rd|15:53|[NJD](/r/devils)|MIN|2|Curtis Lazar roughing against Mark Scheifele|
|3rd|15:53|[WPG](/r/winnipegjets)|MIN|2|Mark Scheifele roughing against Curtis Lazar|
|3rd|15:53|[WPG](/r/winnipegjets)|MIN|2|Kyle Connor minor|
|3rd|15:53|[NJD](/r/devils)|MIN|2|Curtis Lazar roughing against Mark Scheifele|
**Officials**
* Referees: Chris Schlenker, Furman South
* Linesmen: Ryan Gibbons, Brandon Gawryletz
If you notice an error with this bot [click here](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose?to=TeroTheTerror&subject=HockeyMod Issue&message=Subreddit:%0A%0AIssue:) to message TeroTheTerror.
by HockeyMod
39 Comments
Still waiting for that defense to settle in…
Just blow it up. I’m ready for 10 more years of pain. /s
Really irritating game, no doubt. Im fucking pissed off. I still believe its just growing pains from a great squad though (except that 4th line and Smith, and Dougie wake the fuck up)
Devils have let in SIXTEEN goals in the past 3 games. Absolute trash, they should be embarrassed.
Nemec is one more bad week of Devils hockey from getting to the NHL and never leaving.
There are MAJOR problems. Evident from the start of the regular season, even when the W-L record was better than underlying metrics (and your eyes) indicated.
Hughes and Nico back will help. But not enough. MAJOR problems with no plausible roster solution.
Idk what needs to change but this unacceptable. Team never comes out ready to play regardless of the scenario or matchup. No lines are clicking. Defense just flat out bad. Relying on comebacks and power plays to score is bubble team shit, and we certainly will be in that position Come spring if something doesn’t change.
We have a cardboard cutout disguised as a goalie and you all are defending him like he’s Marc Andre Fleury. It blows my mind we can let up six goals and still defend Schmid.
The dude let in the softest goal I’ve ever seen during that power play. He ACTIVELY DUCKS from shots that hit the crossbar like he’s scared of the sound.
Gonna repost this….
Panthers in 2nd place while their 2 best dmen were out (probably still out). Rangers down Fox, chytil, and Igor and are winning with Quick and Louis fucking Domingue in net. Boston lost krecji and Bergeron and still keep winning….
Devils have all this depth and suck because this failure of a coach can’t do shit. He rode the success of Jack Hughes into a contract extension. Could’ve had Brunette instead, but they let him go 🤷♂️. Everyone was saying Dougie and Hughes as a 5v5 pairing is a disaster….. and it was worse than that somehow.
Swiss plug show.
Fitz has collected second-rate swiss garbage at the price of top players and now it’s time to pay.
Fire Lindy chants at the next home game or you’re not real fans.
I blame Fitz. We’ll go on a streak after another solid trade which will ultimately save Lindy’s job once again.
Can’t beat bad teams, can’t beat good teams, can’t beat mediocre teams. Who can we beat?
The answer is Minnesota.
I ask this not as a doomer, but as a legitimate question
How far do those of you who say you aren’t worried and that the season isn’t over realistically see this team going? Yes, Jack and Nico will come back, but that doesn’t fix a complete lack of defense, no physicality, and a coach who’s having the players skate laps and play catch instead of taking shots. It’s too early to say the season is over but this is completely unsustainable for meaningful success
Truth is this team isn’t winning a Cup with Ruff behind the bench. Neither of these goalies will probably be in the net when they do. And Nemec will most certainly be a regular.
Going into this season, it was “maybe the goaltending and defense will hold up, let’s see how it plays out”. Well it’s played out. We all have our answers.
Funny how we convinced everyone that we were primed for a Cup run cause we finally won a playoff series after a decade.
14 games in and we’ve let in fewer than 3 goals twice. Haven’t given up under 2 a single time.
8 of our 14 games (more than half of them!!!!) we’ve given up at least 4 goals.
I don’t think you can narrow this down solely to individual errors and skill from defensemen and goalies. There is something completely rotten with the defensive structure and general puck control. What gives? We have a coach who’s been in the league since the 90s, how has he let it get this bad?
The Avs had a premature peak, went undefeated in the preseason which then turned into a bad season with some injuries, and picked Cale Makar. Maybe we’re gonna do the same?
We’re in a similar spot we’ve been before where we can’t seem to get timely saves when we need it and we make mistakes that turn in to goals all too often. Even with Nico and Jack back the mistakes in our zone will continue to kill us. It’s something a young team has to learn, growing pains suck. They’ll turn it around but realistically we’re at least a year away from being cup contenders still until we can play consistent defense and be content with our goalie situation.
I figured Winnipeg were likely close to where we are in standings so itd be an equal test.
They are certainly way more structured and disciplined.
I am not a fan of the bottom 6
One thing I’ve noticed is we don’t seem to block shots much this season. Last season the boys would put their body between the puck and our net on the reg, and you’d see them slide across the ice to block pass and shooting lanes constantly. I think I’ve only seen us do that a handful of times this season by comparison.
I’m having a hard time really faulting the team for these losses given the major injuries, but something has got to give SOON or they’re going to be looking at a tough upward climb this season.
Simply put, the D and goaltending just are not good enough, even with our studs healthy. Devils outshot another opponent tonight yet lost by 3…
First Three Game Losing Streak of the Season, so New Flair Debut!:
* I am of two minds about this team right now, one is hopefully optimistic and the other is completely in the gutter, but I think I’m just going to try to find a balance here.
* ***Why am I in the gutter?*** The issues look endless: excessive penalties, not showing up for a full sixty minutes, playing flat/lifeless, defensive zone brain dead plays, still not having figured out which D pairs work and which don’t, losing puck battles, losing board battles, the odd man rushes, every single time a team is in our zone it looks like we’re about to be scored on whether its goalie issues or defensive issues or both.
* ***So how the hell am I optimistic at all?*** Jack isn’t our savior, but he’ll be back. Nico also isn’t our savior, but I also believe he’ll be back. There will be some iteration of defensive pairs that will fucking click and will fucking work. Some point, hopefully soon, they will remember how to play in the defensive zone. Fewer odd man rushes will be given up. Even if we continue to take stupid penalties, our PK will finally click. Our forecheck will be consistent, we’ll show up for closer to a full sixty minutes.
* We’re seeing progress and we’re seeing upward trajectories here and there with this team: Merce, McLeod, Timo, Johnny, Lazar.
* They just need to put it all together as a team.
* Something clearly isn’t clicking. We’ve looked pretty off all season, if I’m being honest. I think we had what like three games maybe four games where we looked like we were getting somewhere near good, but for the most part something is very very off.
* I cannot sit here and believe that a team with this much talent: Dougie, Johnny, Kev, Lukey, Siegs, Toffee, Jesp, Merce, Holtzy, can do no more than what they’re doing now. This cannot be our peak. This will not be our peak.
* At least we lost to a team thats always given us a hard time.
* One of the only consolations I can think of is that all of our flaws are being put on blast early in the season. This gives them time to right the ship.
* I’ve also decided that all the hype around this team, all the talk about this team, from the NHL Network, TNT, The Hockey Guy, off season predictions, all of it, thats done. The hype is what killed us. I don’t think the guys like drank their own Kool-Aid or anything, I just think everyone jumped the gun a bit in terms of where we’re at in our window.
* **I just want to see us playing good, fun hockey again. At this point that’s all I’m looking for. I want to watch a game and enjoy it, see the boys enjoying themselves.**
* Is it time for a closed door meeting? I dunno. Maybe?
* We absolutely can’t go on an even bigger slide than we’re at right now. We’ve historically been good against the Pens even when we sucked, but the mountain is going to be hard to climb given the Pens have all of the good feels and momentum coming in to Thursday with their five game winning streak. And then of course there’s Saturday against our nemesis. But let’s get through Thursday first.
* **I haven’t lost all hope. I’m not going to doom and gloom. There are issues. Those issues are palpable and ever present. They need to be addressed, they need to be fixed.** **I just believe they can and will be fixed.**
And, as always, wishing the most health, energy, strength, stability to Nico and Jack. Miss you, studs.
This team seriously sucks right now. Goaltending the biggest issue, but some coaching choices are back to shit, and the pk is a giant problem too, which means thankfully we take a lot of stupid penalties!
I get not being “concerned” since it’s early but there are some pretty big holes in this team and not the kind that just goes away. They’re not improving on general sloppiness in their own end, the defensive lapses, the goaltending. You could argue it’s getting worse tbh.
They are playing with zero confidence or urgency. Idk who to blame anymore. Coaching or the players?
What?? Did Lindy just say he liked the Devils D zone coverage? The fuck?
If I’m Fitz I’m probably on the phone with Calgary right now trying to make a deal for a d-man before the next game.
So can we stop talking about Alex Holtz now like he’s getting the rookie Joe Thornton treatment.
Let’s start talking about actually important things that relate to winning.
I know we suck in a lot of areas, but we really really really need a goalie.
On the positive side, Holtz looked great. I expect him to be benched next game because its all his fault.
[I’ll just leave this here.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTrlShssn0o)
I’ve been watching a lot of Bruins and Knights games and it’s amazing what having an actual defensive structure can do for a team.
Not sure if it’s because our D can’t execute, because Ruff’s system is innately bad, or some other reason, but it’s been hard watching these guys try to backcheck and break out the puck.
Really trying not to doom but it’s getting harder and harder. Positives I see is we’re still scoring enough to win, power play still looks decent without are two top centers and I think the 5v5 play will improve. Obviously the defense is flat out making too many mistakes right now, but our goaltending is not doing us any favors either so I think it’s an equal combination of those two being pretty dogshit right now.
The defense will get better, we’ve seen them play better, obviously severson and graves loss was big but I don’t think that’a the whole picture. Once Seigs and Marino get out of their defensive slumps and hopefully smith is out of the lineup, I expect much better play. I’m honestly most worried about goaltending. Vitek has shown he can be solid but il not sure if he can handle the work load we may need if Schmid is not ready.
Team has a bright future for the first time in a long time. Atleast that’s what I have to keep telling myself incase this isn’t our year.
Well…Money Puck and Natural Stat Trick metrics say Devils were by far the better team tonight. Like…near dominant in Corsi, Fenwick, HDCF, SCF.
Yet…to my eyes it just looked like (1) the offense was struggling and (2) we made too many D zone bad mistakes. To my eyes we looked bad in every phase of the game.
Don’t know. Someone posted below that it was all about Schmid being terrible tonight. And that is what the metrics say.
But…then why did it look like the Devils offense was never much of a real threat?
Send smith down trade siegenthaler for some defenseman who makes half the mistakes and call nemec up at this point
Don’t care that we’re still relatively early in the season. We’re almost a quarter into the season and we’re playing like trash. Not a single game giving a full 60 minute effort. Every win is in the last few minutes. Every loss is in the first or second period. The defense is putrid. I know it was expected to regress but this is way worse than anyone thought. Goaltending also isn’t good although I’ll be more lenient in that since again, trash defense. A lot of this has to be on coaching and I’m starting to think Ruff is either gonna be making some big changes or he’ll be out sooner than expected. Just a massively disappointing start to the season man. I came off of watching the Yankees having a historically bad season, currently watching the Giants having one now. I’ll be really upset if the devils follows suit
Another tough game to watch. I immediately rewound Timo’s injury and that had me sure the season was just about over. Then he’s miraculously back, so whaaaatever. Luke was so good until he wasn’t, ditto Holtz, though overall I thought Alex did ok, one of Timo’s best, helluva game from Bahler but hopefully he’s learned – we *do not trust* Vlad Namestnikov to not want to get ejected from the game for boarding. We assume he is a crazy person, and we protect ourselves and the puck – as he did the second time. The only real bright spark was the team rallying around Lazar and Palat – and even Smith’s fight looked like he was trying to protect himself rather than annihilate Ehlers. Akira looks mentally shot. Hockey’s a brutal mistress.
But…even accounting for Nico and Hughes being on the IL, the roster is too strong to play as poorly as they have since Hughes went out. onfusing. strong
But…even accounting for Nico and Hughes being on the IL, the roster is too string to play as poorly as they have since Hughes went out.
It’s early, but I’m expecting this to be even more of a rebuilding year than I anticipated (obviously, since our stars are out and I couldn’t have predicted that). I thought we’d be worse at defense and make the playoffs and get farther than last year. Now my prediction is first round exit. But I feel good about 2024-25 if the Nico and Jack injuries aren’t career altering. Them’s the breaks sometimes; I can’t be too mad about this after the past ten years.
Update: It’s getting harder
Pause