DEVILS post game thoughts.

       Some thoughts on the Devils 2-1 shootout win vs Winnapeg.

1. The Devils finally won a shootout! I’m not a fan of shootouts and quite frankly don’t think they are how a game should be decided, that however doesn’t take away from the excitement of finally winning one and snapping the streak. Let’s hope they keep winning them through out the season.

2. Corey Schneider was the reason we won this game. He mad some huge stops after allowing the the first goal to Blake Wheeler and kept it close. He also turned aside all three in the shootout. The Devils didn’t play there best game and the credit goes to Schneider for this one.

3. Jacob Josefson deserves to stay in the line up and possibly be moved up a line. In my eyes he still has potential and really hasn’t been given a fair shot. Since being called up he has a goal (short handed vs Penquins) and an assist. Tonight he remained off the score sheet but potted the winning shootout goal. No doubt he makes the 4th line better but he should move up a line. To me he has a new found confidence/attitude this year and I think he is finally going to show it.

4. Zajac and Jagr desperately need Cammalleri back in the line up. Playing with Zubrus just doesn’t help anyone. Cammalleri scores goals plane and simple and this line is missing that. Zubrus obviously has good possession skills but so does Zajac and Jagr. A scorer on that line is needed and it showed tonight.

5. The kids rose to the occasion. Defensively Severson, Merrill, and Larsson all stepped up when they had to. Severson stopped a few odd man rushes late in the game, showing the poise of a veteran. Merrill also played a sound defensive game and assisted on the tying goal. Larsson, playing less minutes then the others was still affective. He played smart and was physical. If he keeps getting chances his confidence will grow and he will only get better. Remember he is 21 and the sky is the limit.

6. Salvador. It’s almost hard to start there is so much wrong here. Let’s start with the one positive, he only played 12 minutes. This was the lowest total of the season for traffic cone Sal and for good reason. Deboer says it was because we were down and if we were up he would have played more. To me those are just words to not bash the captain. It’s no coincidence that after his abysmal turnover in the 3rd that he never saw the ice again. Larsson took a good hit in the corner to move the puck up the wall and what does our fearless leader do, throws the puck in the middle right to an opposing player. If not for Corey that would have put the Devils behind 2 and a comeback would have been hard. I cross my fingers that Deboer is finally realising this guy just can’t play, that we are better off with kids learning and improving.

      Saturday night we face Colombus at home. They have a depleted line up do to an above average number of injuries, perhaps this is just what the doctor ordered for NJ to stay in the win column.

Deboer gets it wrong.

    I just saw the defense pairings for tonight’s game vs the Jets and as usual Deboer got it wrong.
     Every young player has a bad game and without a doubt Merrill had a poor showing against the Penguin’s. In my opinion he should be the one in the press box while Larsson gets another Crack at it, instead Gelinas will sit.
       Obviously the best candidate in my eyes to sit is Bryce Salvador. How ever If you are making these decisions based on the previous game then it should be Merrill. He was a -5 and probably played his worst game to date. This isn’t anything to panic over as all young players especially defenseman have a rough night from time to time.
       Why Deboer likes to hold only a select few accountable is maddening at this point. This coach needs a wake up call by managment and in a hurry. This coach does not give certain players equal opportunity to stay in the line up and someone needs to change that.

Devils defense pairings

Previously I wrote about the Devils forwards lines so this one will be about the defense pairings with a brief explanation. As I said before these are my opinions and you are free to disagree.
Greene-Severson
This has arguably been the best pair we have and should be together for some time. Greene is a solid 2 way defenseman a veteran and team leader. Severson for a rookie is phenomenal and will only get better, together they have been a solid pair with no real weaknesses.
Merrill-Zidlicky
Zidlicky is a very gifted offensive defenseman and yes he has his defensive setbacks but that’s where Merrill comes in. He is a solid 2 way defenseman with loads of potential who is very responsible and can cover Zidlicky in the event of a turnover. Also playing with a veteran is something I think Merrill needs at this point
Gelinas-Larsson
Last year these two played together for a while before Larsson was injured and we saw probably the best hockey Larsson has played to date. I think both players bring out the best in each other, both have loads of potential offensively and defensively. These two should grow as a pair into the pair all of us hope they can become.

Salvador
This guy doesn’t deserve to be on the ice let alone have the C on his jersey but he isn’t going to be traded. This guy continually gets burned, takes dumb penalties, and is on the ice for most goals scored against. I’m not in the locker room so I wont say if he is a good presence or not but he doesn’t help on the ice and there for should not be on it unless an injury happens in which case I would still prefer Peter Harrold.

Devils lines

I’m going to lay out what I think the Devils lines should be and a brief explanation. Remember these are my opinions and you are free to disagree.
1st
Elias- Henrique- Cammalleri
I believe this should be the first line as it is a very offensive line that could produce off the rush as well as keeping play in the O-zone. Henrique should be with better players as clowe is really slowing him down
2nd
Havlat-zajac-jagr
I think this would work well because you have Zajac and jagr who are very good at cycling the puck down low and add in havlat who can finish some of the chances created and I think you have potent 2nd line.
3rd
brunner-josefson-ryder
This one is a bit tricky as there a few candidates for this spot. This line would face lesser competition and has the real potential to put up good numbers. With the offensive abilities of Brunner and Ryder and the defensive responsibility of josefson this line could be very productive. I rele think this could work well and should be given and chance.

4th
Clowe-zubrus-ruuttu
This is a 4th line in my eyes. They are big, heavy, and would make almost all teams worry about when they are on the ice. Clowe and ruutu can hit everything that moves and zubrus has good puck possesion. Not to mention they have a bit offense they can bring to the table as well.

NJ Devils need a new coach.