Good god Wood is awful. PP is poop. Passing is not crisp at all, timing looks off or something. And get some damn shots on goal please. They getting a lesson so far. Let's see if they've learned anything besides Wood sucks.
- FAZOOL

You're mighty optimistic that you think they learned Wood sucks. He was dog poop and took a dopey O-zone Penalty in game 1 so the lesson is sit Siegenthaler for Smith and bump Wood up to line 3. I'm. thinking the lesson for this game is sit Marino and put Wood on Nicos wing for game 3.

The most infuriating part is that we aren't even playing the style that made us one of the best teams in the league. It's like they used the few days off before game 1 to completely change their game plan of how they want to play, to match a prototypical "playoff style" instead of playing to their strengths. This isn't the same team that just won 52 games, not even close.

Miles also played 76 games in the regular season where he was good in maybe 3-4 of them so it really has you wonder if our coach is blind or not.

The most infuriating part is that we aren't even playing the style that made us one of the best teams in the league. It's like they used the few days off before game 1 to completely changed their game plan of how they wanr to play, to match a prototypical "playoff style" instead of playing to their strengths. This isn't the same team that just won 52 games, not even close.
- vlongo4419

Three keys to the offseason:

1) Replace Ruff
2) let Wood walk
3) Fire Blackwood out of a cannon into the sun

bonus task- bury Smith in the AHL

Maybe after Kreider scores his 10th PP goal of the series while we are killing off yet another idiotic penalty the staff will re-evaluate how they defend him around the net.

Maybe after Kreider scores his 10th PP goal of the series while we are killing off yet another idiotic penalty the staff will re-evaluate how they defend him around the net.
- smellmyfinger

One thing to be fair about is that the Rangers definitely have a well coached powerplay to maximize their elite talent on the first unit. I'm not sure what kind of defending is needed to contain them.

For me the more telling part is that our powerplay is poop and we have the same amount of offensive talent and can't buy a goal on the powerplay all season. It's embarrassing.

I guess he thought Marino was back.

At least we made the playoffs. I blame everything on Ruff.

Men amongst boys

11-7 next game with Wood out and Luke in.

Men amongst boys
- rrentz

Absolutely. You watch other playoff series and it’s not the same.. it’s a war with 2 teams battling. We indeed look like boys against men, which is why I blame Ruff. Series is over.

Well it's looking mighty grim boys, but i'm not giving up hope just yet. I think the pressure of playing well at home and trying to be too perfect with their passing and shooting is taking them off their game. May have been better off starting this series on the road. If we can steal next game then we have a chance if not then we're toast. Lots of work to do and i think we can all agree it starts with benching Wood. LFGD!

Well it's looking mighty grim boys, but i'm not giving up hope just yet. I think the pressure of playing well at home and trying to be too perfect with their passing and shooting is taking them off their game. May have been better off starting this series on the road. If we can steal next game then we have a chance if not then we're toast. Lots of work to do and i think we can all agree it starts with benching Wood. LFGD!
- FAZOOL

Wood shouldn't be allowed in the building, matter of fact he should not be allowed to wear a Devils hat. His time in Jersey better be over.
Barring a complete turnaround the Devils may need to replace Ruff, I know he had an amazing season but pooped the bed when it mattered. We also need to seriously think about getting some players with grit. Meier has looked completely lost and I blame Lindy's OCD of line juggling.

Absolutely. You watch other playoff series and it’s not the same.. it’s a war with 2 teams battling. We indeed look like boys against men, which is why I blame Ruff. Series is over.
- MartysBetter88

From the other games I have watched, when a team is in the PP they have some control and look at least somewhat dangerous, where they may have 1 PP where things don't seem to click

The devils look so disjointed on the PP can't set anything up and it's an easy clear and create no chances at all, the Haula goal was right at the end

I get it's the first time for many and the team is young and all but seems they are out of their depth and in quicksand

Yes Igor is a fantastic goalie but he hasn't really been challenged as the rangers know how to stop the one dimensional offense that makes no adjustments

I knew things would be ramped up and it would be a challenge, but I was expecting a closer series and it doesn't help when wood takes dumb penalties

It's like they didn't know how to turn it up a gear

Devils will be out of the playoffs before there’s a new blog

I'm assuming we see Luke draw into the lineup Saturday night. Tall task for a 19yo kid when down 2-0 in a series heading into MSG.

Also, while you can't blame Vitek for either losses (considering we only scored 1 goal each game), I'm wondering if Ruff puts in Schmid to shake things up. Not saying I agree with this, but I'm thinking it is a definitive possibility (aka maybe).

For the love of god, PLEASE take Wood out of the lineup. Dumb penalties will continue to sink us and he is the biggest offender of them all.

Don't worry, Ruff defended Wood last night and said he thought his penalty was "tough". Also said he thought Smith played well. Hes so far out of touch with reality it's insane. He has fully convinced his players that their style in the regular season isn't good enough to win in the playoffs, so they've completely changed their game. They're now THE worst team in the playoffs. They'll be lucky to avoid a sweep at this point playing this way.

Ruff getting completely out-classed by Gallant so far, and Gallant hasn't had to do much...

Don't worry, Ruff defended Wood last night and said he thought his penalty was "tough". Also said he thought Smith played well. Hes so far out of touch with reality it's insane. He has fully convinced his players that their style in the regular season isn't good enough to win in the playoffs, so they've completely changed their game. They're now THE worst team in the playoffs. They'll be lucky to avoid a sweep at this point playing this way.

Ruff getting completely out-classed by Gallant so far, and Gallant hasn't had to do much...
- vlongo4419

Sadly you're right. Just 1 competitive period of hockey between the 2 games - pathetic. Have not even tested Igor - 21 total shots when down ~66% of the game? How?

It has boiled down to us not adapting (properly), our PP being a joke, and our PK making the Rangers PP look like the 1998 Canadian Olympic team.

What was with the ref throwing us out on just about every faceoff in the first period? There was absolutely no flow to the game in the first with all that nonsense and the icings.

Ruff getting completely out-classed by Gallant so far, and Gallant hasn't had to do much...
- vlongo4419

Gallant's system is just do nothing 5v5 and let his goalie do all the work then have elite special teams. If your coaching staff can't crack that the way to win is through overwhelming pressure 5v5 what hope do you have.

Devils will be halfway through next season before there’s a new blog
- FLdevilsFAN

Fixed

I still think it's a no-brainer to keep Meier. I'd like Bratt, but not over 8mil. If he wants over 8, the question to me is.. is it Ruff or is it Bratt. He definitely makes game-breaking plays at times, but just seems to be inconsistent. He's never been a ppg and now has 6 seasons under his belt. He doesn't take many penalties which is good, but to me, 8mil guys are ppg players. Heck, spend just 2mil less and get less than half a ppg from Palat lol.

Such a different playoff team than what we’re used to. Lou isn’t gona come in here slingin jars of jelly. This is a young team, and it’s best players are all young except Dougie. So its difficult being as hard on them as previous underperforming playoff teams we’ve had. You almost feel bad for this group.

I still think it's a no-brainer to keep Meier. I'd like Bratt, but not over 8mil. If he wants over 8, the question to me is.. is it Ruff or is it Bratt. He definitely makes game-breaking plays at times, but just seems to be inconsistent. He's never been a ppg and now has 6 seasons under his belt. He doesn't take many penalties which is good, but to me, 8mil guys are ppg players. Heck, spend just 2mil less and get less than half a ppg from Palat lol.
- MartysBetter88

Agreed. I think Bratt has played himself out of some money and his agent will regret sitting on this for so long. Everybody has used Fialas 7.875M as a baseline/comp for Bratt, but I don't think he even gets that now. I think he comes in a little less. ~7.5 is my guess if he signs long term here. But that's very much in doubt if he stays.

The most infuriating part is that we aren't even playing the style that made us one of the best teams in the league. It's like they used the few days off before game 1 to completely change their game plan of how they want to play, to match a prototypical "playoff style" instead of playing to their strengths. This isn't the same team that just won 52 games, not even close.
- vlongo4419

This is exactly it!
Let us play our game….we are faster & more skilled than the Rangers. Let us use that.
Couldn’t agree more.

Well it's looking mighty grim boys, but i'm not giving up hope just yet. I think the pressure of playing well at home and trying to be too perfect with their passing and shooting is taking them off their game. May have been better off starting this series on the road. If we can steal next game then we have a chance if not then we're toast. Lots of work to do and i think we can all agree it starts with benching Wood. LFGD!
- FAZOOL

Sounds to me like you think the rangers have nothing to do with the two wins it’s all on the devils for not playing well incould be wrong though.