Vegas didn't think they would do it, but this win turned $20 into $64 for me. Clinching a playoff spot on top of that? Feels good. Just wish I had put a couple hundred down on this game.
Some people think that any team above us in the standings is quality talent, and anyone below us is a junior team. Any team can beat any team on any night, and we just romped a team that had recorded a point in 20 of their last 26 games.
Wins like this build confidence. Everyone was getting reeeeal comfortable with the puck by the end of the night, which is encouraging after some of the sloppy play we've seen lately.
The Devils were also MUCH faster and stronger on loose pucks last night. The Canes showed up. They had a lot of pressure early on and some really good chances. But instead of relying on Brodeur to make big saves (which he tried desperately to do anyway), there was always someone there to help out. Good to see that adjustment in their game after giving up 4 to Tampa.
Some people think that any team above us in the standings is quality talent, and anyone below us is a junior team. Any team can beat any team on any night, and we just romped a team that had recorded a point in 20 of their last 26 games.
Not good enough.
Thank you.
Man this board has gone straight down the crapper the last 2 years.
No wonder so many good posters have left. Max exodus on the way I think.
The Devils have shown they could beat good teams like that this year too. The Caps while very inconsistent we beat 5-0 too. We've scored 6 on Philly. We've had strong wins over them, and the Penguins.
We've also had blowouts to the garbage teams, but luckily they haven't happened as recently as the big wins.
6-1 against Colorado who were playing very bad at that time, and 6-3 to Calgary.
When the Devils show up they can completely destroy any team. When they don't have a billion defensive breakdowns like last night they can also completely destroy the other teams rather than high scoring games where they still only win by 2.
We can say that they "only" beat the Hurricanes last night, but there was a definite change in the way they played last night versus how they typically would have played this game.
In the game against Tampa, the Devils loosened up their defense and left Marty out to dry in front of the net. Throughout the beginning periods of the game, the forwards weren't too focused on their passing, and the offense looked sloppy even while scoring.
Last night's game was night and day.
They played well in front of Marty, they fought hard for to give him that shutout.
They stayed at the net in both zones, they stayed with the puck.
They stayed with players like Staal and Skinner who could have opened that game up.
Things they wouldn't earlier in the season (earlier in the week!) against a team like Carolina or against a team like Pittsburgh.
AND! The powerplay is really starting to get in sync. It's not just la-de-da passing anymore. They're actually focused on keeping the opposing PKers moving and guessing.
I also want to note how awesome Henrique is in both the neutral and defensive zone. I love the way this kid plays. He's really amazing to have on the PK as well, he's a big reason why it's doing as well as it is.
Regardless, sometimes watching how they play is more important than the score or the opposing team.
Just like no one was happy with that game against Chicago (despite the win), I think this game is a sign of bigger, better things to come, even it was just Carolina.
I'm happy and I got drinks for $2 anything off the top shelf and 4 goals in IM hockey. Now I need to find that lady friend of mine up this week and I'll be set for the playoffs
How the hell do you get upset with a 5-0 win? Yawn.
This, or perhaps playing off some of the main board misconceptions of the team: we still trap, Kovy is a lazy Russian, Brodeur is awful, Clarkson is an AHLer etc.
Agreed. Don't fix what's not broken. I want Larsson to play at least one more game before the playoffs though
I want Larsson back in. Unless DeBoer is planning to start the playoffs with Harrold in, Larsson should be playing in the last couple games of the regular season.
i don't understand what anyone could possibly have a problem with about this game. we came out, dominated them in every facet from the start, and won 5-0. we played great defense, great offense, and great everything else. i also learned that the canes announcers pretty much live for elias. what could possibly have gone better with this game?
