Josh Biringer: G8 Review: Bratt Shines as Devils Close out Wild 4-3

Makes no sense to have 3 days off inbetween these games, but I'll take it as it gives more time to hopefully get Nico back(if he's traveling?)

Can you believe we have not only the best PP, but an astonishingly good PP - the movement of the puck is un-Devils like hahah

Also, I did not expect how good Toffoli would be. Looks like he doesn't put much effort but he just knows where to be and his passing is sneaky good, his shot is awesome.

Can you believe we have not only the best PP, but an astonishingly good PP - the movement of the puck is un-Devils like hahah

Also, I did not expect how good Toffoli would be. Looks like he doesn't put much effort but he just knows where to be and his passing is sneaky good, his shot is awesome.
- Leniwm1

It’s great to finally see green’s pp. I know he was brought in because of his pp but to finally lay eyes on it, it’s something to behold.

Good blog as usual. Defense is still a concern but did look better. GF and GA needs help. Toffoli is on fire. Gotta love it. Saw this from nhl.com and laughed. Devonte Smith Pelly? 😂

Toffoli. His seven goals are the most by any player through their first eight games with the Devils/Rockies/Scouts franchise; four players – Paul Gardner (1976-77 w/ CLR), Lanny McDonald (1979-80 w/ CLR), Bobby Holik (1992-93) and Devante Smith-Pelly (2015-16) – previously shared the mark with six goals through their first eight contests with the team.

It’s great to finally see green’s pp. I know he was brought in because of his pp but to finally lay eyes on it, it’s something to behold.
- shvingter88

😂

Good blog as usual. Defense is still a concern but did look better. GF and GA needs help. Toffoli is on fire. Gotta love it. Saw this from nhl.com and laughed. Devonte Smith Pelly? 😂

Toffoli. His seven goals are the most by any player through their first eight games with the Devils/Rockies/Scouts franchise; four players – Paul Gardner (1976-77 w/ CLR), Lanny McDonald (1979-80 w/ CLR), Bobby Holik (1992-93) and Devante Smith-Pelly (2015-16) – previously shared the mark with six goals through their first eight contests with the team.
- Crushers68

Kyle Palmieri had 8 goals through the Devils first 8 games in 2018-19.

Kyle Palmieri had 8 goals through the Devils first 8 games in 2018-19.
- Mr._Devil

Palmieri joined the Devils in 2015-16. The stat he mentioned is in the players first 8 games with the team.

Palmieri joined the Devils in 2015-16. The stat he mentioned is in the players first 8 games with the team.
- vlongo4419

Oh, I see what you mean.

Fitzy says he doesn't anticipate Nico traveling with the team for the upcoming 4 game road trip, but those conversations are still being had. Will continue to be evaluated day-by-day.

Wish the team would just come out and tell us he has a concussion.

Agreed that Smith needs to go. Seeing the numbers and beautiful graph (love me some graphs), it’s painfully obvious. He IS the black hole. We’re having challenges defensively, so dispose of the single player that is significantly worse than the rest.

Is Miller dealing with injury? What’s the timeframe on that? I know they probably don’t want 2 rookies on the same pair, but you gotta do something.

Agreed that Smith needs to go. Seeing the numbers and beautiful graph (love me some graphs), it’s painfully obvious. He IS the black hole. We’re having challenges defensively, so dispose of the single player that is significantly worse than the rest.

Is Miller dealing with injury? What’s the timeframe on that? I know they probably don’t want 2 rookies on the same pair, but you gotta do something.
- MartysBetter88

Yeah he's hurt. The last update from Ruff was that him and Nosek aren't close to returning.

Considering we're about to play another 4 in 6, I wouldnt be shocked to see Foote get in there. But not expecting much of anything out of him. Sucks that Hatakka is still hurt, because I'd love to see him get a call-up and get a look.

from Todd's blog at Infernal Access:
"More than 100 defenders have logged at least 15 minutes on the PK thus far. Smith ranks 1st attempts against/60, 2nd in high-danger chances against/60, and 3rd in expected goals against/60. He is also one of the few yet to be on for a single goal against."

so, it would make some sense to use Smith as a forward and have 7D once Miller comes back. The guy has abysmal 5v5 numbers, but is good on the PK, and we don't really have many great PK options other than Seigs and Marino.

Some comments from Marty on the goaltending: "Its been challenging. I think for Vitek, i'd love for him to get going, play a little more. Last year he played a lot more games and we've kind of split everything early on this season and now that he's played back-to-back games, we saw how he responded in the second game. I think that its something we have to pay attention to. Schmid's still a young goalie. He came in on a huge stage and he played really well so people expect he was going to be like that. He will be at one point, but there's growing pains to be had. I think we have to shelter him a little bit just to make sure he's got the right games. We've talked about this with Tom, Lindy, and Dave Rogalski."

Looks like we're going to get a heavy dose of Vitek(when the schedule allows) and its something they're going to be monitoring.

If anyone is upset about Mercer, just think of this as his softmore slump that he never had.

Problem solved.

Holtz AGAIN! So (frank)ing stupid wasting his talent on a 4th line with Bastian. Especially when Palat does not belong in the top 6.

Why does every game with this team have to be a nail biter

Our goaltending is soft as puppy poop

Just another 3+ goals given up. Good thing we can score

I love Greens PP!

It's so hard to defend, just keeps coming .

Our goaltending just refuses to allow us to win a game easy. Thank god for the power play.

Starting to get into the territory of being concerned about Mercer. He's just been straight invisible in every single game and has looked flat out bad/lost at times. This is not the same player that we saw progress over the last 2 seasons. Thank god Fitz didn't rush into a long term extension there.

Really should be sat for a game or two but don't really have the luxury due to injuries, unless we make some call-ups.

Did anyone see the Adam Fox and Aho collision. Ranger fans saying it was dirty and Aho stuck his leg out, but i dont see Aho stick his leg out at all, look more of maybe interference in my opinion

Did anyone see the Adam Fox and Aho collision. Ranger fans saying it was dirty and Aho stuck his leg out, but i dont see Aho stick his leg out at all, look more of maybe interference in my opinion
- devils2929

I can’t take them seriously when they act like Trouba doesn’t do anything wrong. Only thing I hate about Fox getting hurt is he’s on my fantasy team.

We are finding ways to win and that's what's important