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It was f****ng* amazing,” -Simon Nemec |
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Ek’s Note: our New Jersey Devils writer, Chris Shaleesh, it is absolutely killing it with the best devils coverage we’ve ever had. Last night‘s Carolina Devils game kinda got lost because many were watching the other two games which were equally amazing in Montreal and Edmonton…. so I put Chris’s article in my spot today. Both so you can check out his writing, and also to give this game what it deserves!
From Devils Beat Writer Chris Shaleesh
“It was f****ng* amazing,” said Simon Nemec after his thrilling double OT winner gave the Devils life at The Rock on Friday night. Nemec used his smooth skating to turn nothing into something as the Canes had numbers back. After picking the puck up in the neutral zone and then carrying it across the blue line, Carolina was set up well defensively, but then… The young defender shook his magic wand, turning Hurricanes defenseman Shane Ghostisbhere into a traffic cone and walking him like a miniature poodle at the Westminster Dog Show. A then perfectly placed snap shot found the back of the net and electrified the raucous but anxious crowd, sending the building into a frenzy. After a tumultuous start to his career with New Jersey, this was exactly what Nemec and the Devils needed. Although he had a phenomenal game even before the goal, the double OT winner should instill a new level of confidence and an “I belong” mentality that may have been missing from Nemec’s game to date.
Total Team Effort
Kudos to the Tatar, Dowling, Bastian line on that winning goal. With fresher legs than most (each playing just around eleven minutes total in the game) their attention to detail made that play possible. Tatar first came in hard on the forecheck and flustered Canes goalie Frederick Andersen. Next it was Justin Dowling who came flying down the opposite side and blew up defender Sean Walker behind the net. As the puck rimmed around the wall to Andrei Svechnikov, the third and fourth wave of Devils arrived. Tatar again, along with Bastian, pressured Carolina on the wall leaving the Hurricanes happy to just push the puck out into the neutral zone where Simon Nemec did the rest. Perfect execution on the forecheck by the veteran line and textbook stuff when it comes to generating offense in tight playoff games.
Devils D Further “D”-pleted?
The Devils were dealt another blow when Jonathan Kovacevic was unable to return to the ice for the second period on Friday. With Brendan Dillon and Luke Hughes already out of the lineup the NJ defenders were forced to elevate to yet another level, and they did just that. Brett Pesce, Alex Dumoulin, Dougie Hamilton, Simon Nemec and Jonas Siegenthaler lugged the mail for New Jersey in lockdown fashion. A few extra clicks for Siegenthaler who in his first game back from injury, was to return to a “limited workload” and ended up with over 27 minutes of ice time. I guess it is true, we make plans and God laughs, especially when you’re the Devils…
Keys To The Series Moving Forward
Special Teams
I don’t want to hit you with the numbers again, so let’s keep this simple. The Devils need to stay out of the box. Carolina had no life until the two third period power play goals. At 5 on 5 the Devils have been the better team. Keep it that way!
When on the power play, simplify the approach. Without Jack or Luke it’s been difficult to carry the puck over the line, this is where the coaching staff will need to get crafty.
Bring Back Dump And Chase
I’m well aware that the days of dump and chase are long out of style due to analytics, but hear me out. This third and fourth line of NJ doesn’t have the puck possessing, crisp passing, neutral zone transition prowess that other teams do. They do however have some size, speed and grit. So just like on the double OT winner, push pucks deep, wear down the Carolina D and generate zone time that way. After all it’s a much better alternative than barely gaining the blue line and losing the puck.
Hey Siri, play Bruce Springsteen “Glory Days”
Hey Siri, LOUDER!
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