Sam Woo: PODCAST: Devils Clinch, Now Phase Two

Luke and Michigan are moving on to the Frozen Four. Their season will end either April 6th or April 8th.

Schmid has been the best goalie at times. If he’s the hot hand I hope the staff has the balls to ride him despite the perception that VV and Blackwood are ahead of him in the pecking order.

“Devils play the New York Islanders on Monday at UBS Arena (7:30pm ET start) and New York Rangers at Prudential Center (7:00pm ET start).”

I hope we have enough players for 2 games in 1 night.

Prior to our last game, Palat had no points, 8 shots, 5 hits, 5 blocks, and was -4.. in 9 games. Am I allowed to not like this signing yet?

Prior to our last game, Palat had no points, 8 shots, 5 hits, 5 blocks, and was -4.. in 9 games. Am I allowed to not like this signing yet?
- MartysBetter88

Hopefully he'll show his worth in the playoffs.

Prior to our last game, Palat had no points, 8 shots, 5 hits, 5 blocks, and was -4.. in 9 games. Am I allowed to not like this signing yet?
- MartysBetter88

Not many people liked it from the start, from a contract perspective. It was 1M too much and 2-3 years too long the second it was signed. Still expected to provide surplus value this year and next, but the final few years could be an issue, which was always the issue unfortunately. But cups in the room and winning mentality or something.

Anyone watch the M v P game? First time ESPN shows Michigan I think all year. Probably tv rights or whatever.

First time I watched Luke live.

He seems to be a very different type of defenseman. When in the O zone, he is circling around, he never stops moving even on the blueline. He picks his spots to rush with the puck well. He knows when to pass v rush.

He got wrecked behind his net but didnt miss a shift. Good news his body can take a beating.

the Penn broadcasters kept talking about how hard it is to handle Luke.

I think he is going to be better than what I imagined. He reminds me of hamilton but more graceful on the skates.

Same lines as last game in morning skate, with Foote/Bo/Bastian rotating on the 4th line. Vanecek expected to start tonight.

Prior to our last game, Palat had no points, 8 shots, 5 hits, 5 blocks, and was -4.. in 9 games. Am I allowed to not like this signing yet?
- MartysBetter88

I’ve been trying to predict when he’s bought out since they signed him.

I’ve been trying to predict when he’s bought out since they signed him.
- shvingter88

There is no Triplets line in NJ.
Once they broke that line up the lesser constituents showed who they were. Johnson became an albatross and Palat got time with Stamkos and occasionally Kuch still, but once removed from those two top talents in the game it showed that he was not a top talent in the game. He showed a nose for the net in the playoffs, but again…he was with two stars. Even now the top talent carries that team. They’ve just had so much of it to keep losing depth and keep winning is amazing. Vasy hasn’t been particularly great this year but they’re still a lock for the playoffs. Wouldn’t be surprised to see them make one more deep run, but i think they stay a middle of the pack team for a few years, make a couple deep runs here and there due to experience and Vasy can steal a series when he’s dialed in. Tampa could’ve had a couple more Cups in addition to their 2 and 3 Finals appearances in a row if they could’ve capitalized. In last 10 years they have 2 Cups, 3 Finals appearances in a row, got steamrolled by Chicago in the Finals in 2015, lost in ECF to Pitt the following year or could’ve gone to back-to-back Finals again. Lost in ECF to Caps a couple years later. Had the abomination to Columbus in the first round, then the last 3 years. All told they could’ve had 6 Finals appearances in 10 years and possibly at least 4 Cups if they’d have beaten Chicago and Colorado. Amazing…2 Cups actually sounds a little disappointing on some level, though probably seems insignificant since they did win a couple times.
I would love to see NJ get a legit goalie and have that type of success the next decade. They could do it too, the young talent on this team is jelling and fun to watch. NJ can do it! They’re so close! Lock these kids up long term, they have Luke on the way. It’s gonna be fun again for a while, so enjoy!

11/7 again tonight for whatever reason. okay!

Running back 11/7 again, Vanecek in net the only change.

The genius of Ruff is something we mere peasants can’t comprehend.

Smith can barely defend against the Islanders. And if you're going to barely play Bahl most of the period why not just have another forward in. Boqvist needs to play.

It’s bananas. Boqvist has been fine. Unless it’s some small injury or something.

But if we could not lose to the Islanders, that would be great.

Yep we’re doomed. Didn’t see any of it. But kinda really need Vitek to be on his A game going into the playoffs.

Yep we’re doomed. Didn’t see any of it. But kinda really need Vitek to be on his A game going into the playoffs.
- MartysBetter88

He was good/fine tonight(saved just about at expected), Sorokin was just better(saved almost 4 goals above expected). Almost the entire Devils heat map is right around the crease/right in front of the net and in the slot lol.

Graves was flat out awful though, and has been for a while now. Both of the Isles first 2 goals were on him.

Ruff pondering additional ways to shuffle the lineup in the remaining eight games…

He was good/fine tonight(saved just about at expected), Sorokin was just better(saved almost 4 goals above expected). Almost the entire Devils heat map is right around the crease/right in front of the net and in the slot lol.

Graves was flat out awful though, and has been for a while now. Both of the Isles first 2 goals were on him.
- vlongo4419

The final score definitely didn't tell the story of the game. We gave two goals on stupid mistakes then 3 came after the game was already over. We got goalied for sure, which has been happening too much lately.

Lines in practice today:

Timo-Nico-Mercer
Palat-Jack-Bratt
Foote-Boqvist-Haula
Wood-McLeod-Sharangovich

Siegs-Dougie
Graves-Marino
Bahl-Sevo
Smith-Bastian as the extras

Tatar not skating.

Lines in practice today:

Timo-Nico-Mercer
Palat-Jack-Bratt
Foote-Boqvist-Haula
Wood-McLeod-Sharangovich

Siegs-Dougie
Graves-Marino
Bahl-Sevo
Smith-Bastian as the extras

Tatar not skating.
- vlongo4419

Tatar takes Footes spot in morning skate. Vanecek in the starters net. Going back to the usual 12/6 tonight with Smith coming out.

Tatar takes Footes spot in morning skate. Vanecek in the starters net. Going back to the usual 12/6 tonight with Smith coming out.
- vlongo4419

Pumped for tonight's game. Hope they play with composure/within their system and not grip the sticks too tight. We have to remember how young they are and tonight's game could make them overly nervous. Hopefully their youth doesn't allow them to realize the situation they're in and they perform to their capabilities. Kind of like why they send 18 year-olds to war. Too young to know any better.

Pumped for tonight's game. Hope they play with composure/within their system and not grip the sticks too tight. We have to remember how young they are and tonight's game could make them overly nervous. Hopefully their youth doesn't allow them to realize the situation they're in and they perform to their capabilities. Kind of like why they send 18 year-olds to war. Too young to know any better.
- Crushers68

To your point - great test heading into the playoffs. Hell, even if they lose tonight it doesn't mean they can't still lock in home advantage while learning from the big game atmosphere tonight.

As we know, Rangers fans tend to fill The Rock whether it's a big game or not, so I'd imagine it'll somehow be a hostile environment for both teams tonight which is interesting to say the least

Pumped for tonight's game. Hope they play with composure/within their system and not grip the sticks too tight. We have to remember how young they are and tonight's game could make them overly nervous. Hopefully their youth doesn't allow them to realize the situation they're in and they perform to their capabilities. Kind of like why they send 18 year-olds to war. Too young to know any better.
- Crushers68

Yeah should be a great preview of what's to come in a few weeks. Would be a nice statement win and good for the mentality of the team. In the grand scheme of things, the game really doesn't mean much though. Home ice is irrelevant. The only way the game could end up mattering is if the winner of the game somehow passes the Canes to win the division, which is isnt too likely. Should be a great atmosphere and 'warmup' for the real deal though.

Win or lose, just show that you're the better team. Skate them into the ground.