It's been an interesting last few years for the Devils. Two years ago they uncharacteristically signed super-star Ilya Kovalchuk and then threw a large chunk of money at him the year later. Then the next year they witnessed fan-favourite Zach Parise fall to injury and miss the bulk of the season. Last season the Devils looked pathetic all the way through January and were sitting in the basement. Then an almost impossible run in the second half put them remarkably close to a playoff spot. Ilya Kovalchuk and back-up goalie Johan Hedberg essentially carried them from the basement to right outside the playoffs. But they just missed out. Here's pretty much all you need to know about last year for them.
So the big question was how will the Devils play this year? With a healthy Parise, Brodeur, and Zajac, how will this team fare.
The answer was: adequate.
They went through hot and cold streaks throughout the year and will most likely end up as the 6th seed in the East, very respectable especially for their difficult division.
But Devils fans can almost sense that this is the year they HAVE to win the Cup.
Here's why:
1) Martin Brodeur is in the last year of his contract. Although he's talked about coming back for another season, the Devils feel that this may be his last run for the Cup and it'd be a nice way to end his career.
2) Zach Parise is in the last year of his contract as well. And while Brodeur will almost automatically resign with New Jersey if he decides to stay, Parise probably won't. Not only are the Devils bankrupt (all thanks to Mr. Kovalchuk) and wouldn't be able to pay his price, Parise is the most sought after free agent this summer. His gritty game play and evident offensive capabilities are the desire for any NHL team in the league. So if this is Parise's last year in New Jersey, the Devils would love to be able to get a Stanley Cup with him, their captain.
So as a Devil fan, I was aware of these 2 facts throughout the year. Still, I felt the team was lacking something and it'd be highly unlikely for them to make a legitimate run for the Cup. But now things are starting to click and I'm starting to believe in this team's chances.
Firstly, our penalty kill has been phenomenal all season. They are first in the league in penalty kill percentage and also lead the league in short handed goals (15). They all understand about sacrificing the body and each player knows exactly what to do on the kill and it has gone very well for them this year.
Although they had a rough start to the season, the powerplay has certainly picked up. Because teams were cracking down on the whole "give the puck to Kovalchuk" play, we needed a new system. Kurtis Foster opened up Kovalchuk's game a little but Deboer wanted more than that so they made aridiculously stupid deal trading away 3 players and 2 draft picks to the 0-leverage Wild for defenseman Marek Zidlicky. Well Zidlicky has done pretty well for the Devils and their powerplay has improved even more. Zidlicky is a quarterback for the PP and has supplied an actual format for them as opposed to having Kovalchuk miss the net by 30 feet.
Now although it doesn't mean much, the last 2 games the Devils played were highly impressive. Given they were against Tampa and Carolina, the team looked sharp and crisp and all four lines contributed offensively. They scored 11 goals by 9 different players in those two games and I swear it's the deepest this team has been in several years. Let's look at them line by line.
Parise-Kovalchuk-Zajac:
The first line obviously gives you the high powered players like Kovalchuk and Parise. Kovalchuk has a shot that can score from anywhere on the ice, he's one of the fastest skaters in the league, and he has an outstanding physical presence. Parise is a player that plays bigger than he is, has a great pair of wrists, and has a fantastic all around game. But Travis Zajac just got back from an injury and has been a key player since his return. Firstly, he's been great in the faceoff circle, something the Devils have been needing. Additionally, he does a great job of setting up his linemates and has really opened up the game for Kovy and Parise. If this line continues what they've been doing into the playoffs, they'll be unstoppable.
Elias-Sykora-Zubrus:
Honestly my favourite line on the team. These guys look like they've been playing together for years. Their endless cycling in the offensive zone tire the hell out of every opponent and each one contains an almost unfair knack for scoring. Elias, in my opinion, has been the best player on the team. Sykora has refound his game and Zubrus is a big body who can still score goals and set up plays like nobody's business. They've impressed many all year and will for sure surprise fans in the playoffs.
Ponikarovsky-Henrique-Clarkson:
This line has been a work horse for the team. Ponikarovsky has been spectacular since signing with the Devils (even though nobody understood why we got him in the first place.) He has given the Devils timely scoring and has been a physical presence. The other 2 players on this line are interesting topics. Adam Henrique has taken the team by storm and is just about in the lead for the Calder Trophy as the league's top rookie. His play has energized the fan base and even since dropping down to third line, has still been able to produce. Now for David Clarkson, it's been an interesting career. He was mainly known as a fighter and a tough guy and his offensive game mainly consisted of failed rap-around attempts that led to turnovers. But now he's a 30 goal scorer and continues to surprise us with his scoring. This line is a great third line for the Devils and they have been adding timely goals since joining up together.
Carter-Josefson-Bernier:
This line, to me, is intriguing. For the bulk of this season, our fourth line has been embarrassing. They provided 0 offense and played miserably defensively. They were more of a liability than an asset. But now this line has started making some progress. First off is Ryan Carter, a player who I believe doesn't get enough credit. He has had to play on those lines with no offense and couldn't supply any offense alone. But when given other somewhat skillful players, he can surprise you. He's crafty and physical and could put the puck in the net. For Jacob Josefson, it's a tough spot. Like Mattias Tedenby (see Albany Devils), he's not a third or fourth line player. But lack of spots on the first two lines has left him in this tough position. But he has made the most of it and just recently scored the first goal of his season. He's talented enough but much like Carter, needs some assistance. These two players along with Steve Bernier, make for a formidable fourth line and one that can still provide offense.
So to sum things up, this team can truly make a run through the playoffs. They have the pieces, they're healthy, and they have motivation. As for their journey to the cup, the first two rounds look like Florida (a team that has fewer points than them) and then probably New York (one helluva series). So sit back and watch the Devils because they might just surprise you.
So the big question was how will the Devils play this year? With a healthy Parise, Brodeur, and Zajac, how will this team fare.
The answer was: adequate.
They went through hot and cold streaks throughout the year and will most likely end up as the 6th seed in the East, very respectable especially for their difficult division.
But Devils fans can almost sense that this is the year they HAVE to win the Cup.
Here's why:
1) Martin Brodeur is in the last year of his contract. Although he's talked about coming back for another season, the Devils feel that this may be his last run for the Cup and it'd be a nice way to end his career.
2) Zach Parise is in the last year of his contract as well. And while Brodeur will almost automatically resign with New Jersey if he decides to stay, Parise probably won't. Not only are the Devils bankrupt (all thanks to Mr. Kovalchuk) and wouldn't be able to pay his price, Parise is the most sought after free agent this summer. His gritty game play and evident offensive capabilities are the desire for any NHL team in the league. So if this is Parise's last year in New Jersey, the Devils would love to be able to get a Stanley Cup with him, their captain.
So as a Devil fan, I was aware of these 2 facts throughout the year. Still, I felt the team was lacking something and it'd be highly unlikely for them to make a legitimate run for the Cup. But now things are starting to click and I'm starting to believe in this team's chances.
Firstly, our penalty kill has been phenomenal all season. They are first in the league in penalty kill percentage and also lead the league in short handed goals (15). They all understand about sacrificing the body and each player knows exactly what to do on the kill and it has gone very well for them this year.
Although they had a rough start to the season, the powerplay has certainly picked up. Because teams were cracking down on the whole "give the puck to Kovalchuk" play, we needed a new system. Kurtis Foster opened up Kovalchuk's game a little but Deboer wanted more than that so they made a
Now although it doesn't mean much, the last 2 games the Devils played were highly impressive. Given they were against Tampa and Carolina, the team looked sharp and crisp and all four lines contributed offensively. They scored 11 goals by 9 different players in those two games and I swear it's the deepest this team has been in several years. Let's look at them line by line.
Parise-Kovalchuk-Zajac:
The first line obviously gives you the high powered players like Kovalchuk and Parise. Kovalchuk has a shot that can score from anywhere on the ice, he's one of the fastest skaters in the league, and he has an outstanding physical presence. Parise is a player that plays bigger than he is, has a great pair of wrists, and has a fantastic all around game. But Travis Zajac just got back from an injury and has been a key player since his return. Firstly, he's been great in the faceoff circle, something the Devils have been needing. Additionally, he does a great job of setting up his linemates and has really opened up the game for Kovy and Parise. If this line continues what they've been doing into the playoffs, they'll be unstoppable.
Elias-Sykora-Zubrus:
Honestly my favourite line on the team. These guys look like they've been playing together for years. Their endless cycling in the offensive zone tire the hell out of every opponent and each one contains an almost unfair knack for scoring. Elias, in my opinion, has been the best player on the team. Sykora has refound his game and Zubrus is a big body who can still score goals and set up plays like nobody's business. They've impressed many all year and will for sure surprise fans in the playoffs.
Ponikarovsky-Henrique-Clarkson:
This line has been a work horse for the team. Ponikarovsky has been spectacular since signing with the Devils (even though nobody understood why we got him in the first place.) He has given the Devils timely scoring and has been a physical presence. The other 2 players on this line are interesting topics. Adam Henrique has taken the team by storm and is just about in the lead for the Calder Trophy as the league's top rookie. His play has energized the fan base and even since dropping down to third line, has still been able to produce. Now for David Clarkson, it's been an interesting career. He was mainly known as a fighter and a tough guy and his offensive game mainly consisted of failed rap-around attempts that led to turnovers. But now he's a 30 goal scorer and continues to surprise us with his scoring. This line is a great third line for the Devils and they have been adding timely goals since joining up together.
Carter-Josefson-Bernier:
This line, to me, is intriguing. For the bulk of this season, our fourth line has been embarrassing. They provided 0 offense and played miserably defensively. They were more of a liability than an asset. But now this line has started making some progress. First off is Ryan Carter, a player who I believe doesn't get enough credit. He has had to play on those lines with no offense and couldn't supply any offense alone. But when given other somewhat skillful players, he can surprise you. He's crafty and physical and could put the puck in the net. For Jacob Josefson, it's a tough spot. Like Mattias Tedenby (see Albany Devils), he's not a third or fourth line player. But lack of spots on the first two lines has left him in this tough position. But he has made the most of it and just recently scored the first goal of his season. He's talented enough but much like Carter, needs some assistance. These two players along with Steve Bernier, make for a formidable fourth line and one that can still provide offense.
So to sum things up, this team can truly make a run through the playoffs. They have the pieces, they're healthy, and they have motivation. As for their journey to the cup, the first two rounds look like Florida (a team that has fewer points than them) and then probably New York (one helluva series). So sit back and watch the Devils because they might just surprise you.
No comments:
Post a Comment