Quelqu’un doit le dire : sans Vitek, le score serait un 11-3. Les tentatives de retour en troisième période peuvent être passionnantes, mais surtout épuisantes mentalement. Retour sur ça mardi 06 février, quand les garçons accueilleront l’Avs. Qu’est-ce qui préoccupe votre esprit?
[NHL Video Recap](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cMeidesDtQs)
[ESPN Game Cast](https://www.espn.com/nhl/game/_/gameId/401559994)
[NHL Game Center](https://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/njd-vs-tbl/2024/01/27/2023020767)
[Shift Chart](http://shiftchart.com/game/2024-01-27-devils-lightning)
[Amanda Stein Game Story: Despite Late Surge, Devils Fall Short to Lightning](https://www.nhl.com/devils/news/devils-at-lightning-1-27-24-game-story)
[2023-24 Regular Season Schedule (February, all times EST)](https://www.nhl.com/devils/schedule/2024-02-01)
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Devil_Dane
12 Comments
What can really be said about this recent stretch? Roster is depleted and the ones in the line up just aren’t getting it done. Season is slipping away and unless they come out of the break with a 5 game heater, I don’t see it getting recovered.
There’s not a lot to like these last few games, though we at least make it exciting near the end. In past years, I think some people would try to focus on the positive that they’re not giving up and even nearly coming back most games. I mean, depleted roster, emotionally drained, limping to the all star break, no one should have the highest expectations for how the team is going to look anyway. Seems like the perfect time to try to derive what joy we can from the middling performances in front of us.
But no. Just bashing. Lindy bashing. Fitz bashing. Vitek bashing. Timo bashing. Bashing the people who bash Timo. Bashing the people who bash Lindy. Bashing the people who defend Lindy. Bashing the fools who don’t want to give up on the season. Bashing the doomers who gave up the season in October. “You’re a dumbass if you think this team stands a chance.” “You’re a moron if you think any coach can do something with these injuries.” It’s all so overwhelmingly negative, and it doesn’t get anywhere. It goes in circles because no one is even listening to what anyone else has to say, they’re just coming up with a sick burn about how stupid the other person must be, how they’re clearly not a real fan, how they’ve clearly never played elsewhere. It all takes a pretty deeply disappointing season and makes it almost infinitely less enjoyable.
My goal wasn’t randomly scolding people and I certainly don’t think anyone cares what I’m saying. You’ll all act as you see fit, and I can’t imagine anyone will notice if I stop commenting on things here, because scrolling through the incessant Fire Lindy posts just becomes too tiring. But for me, I don’t have a lot of people to talk about hockey with. This has been a really fun sub the last couple years, when the team was good and even when they were bad, because at least there was a shared love for a team. A haven where at least I know the people bothering to sink their time into talking about the team are interested in having discussions. Now it feels like half the people here only want to tell you how much smarter they are because they’re aware the team sucks. It’s just disheartening. It’s bad for my mental health and I can’t imagine it’s good for anyone else’s.
I’ll stop bitching now. Good luck to all dealing with the ups and downs this season. Theres likely a lot of stress and drama that has yet to be revealed.
And as for that game we all watched that this post is all about, it wasn’t terrible. Even-ish first, badly outplayed in the second, badly outplayed them in the third. I love that the team can come on and challenge good teams even when they haven’t been able to get it going for the first 40 minutes, and wish it didn’t need to occur so frequently. Nice to see the first line get some goals on the board (I guess Timo didn’t take the benching too seriously). Vitek’s had a handful of strong games recently, I think it makes sense to roll with him as the 1a with either of the young guys, mostly splitting time. It’s not ideal and it often won’t be pretty, but for where we’re at and who we have available, I’m not seeing a lot of alternatives.
Vitek’s put together a few decent performances lately. I don’t think he’s ever going to be a world-beater, but I fully believe he can get back to where he was last year and just be the perfectly adequate guy who can thrive behind a strong defense. Unfortunately, I don’t know where a strong defense would come from this time. The personnel changes in the offseason and now the various injuries. Sort of feels like we need a guy who routinely makes game-saving plays.
I’m curious to see what the rest of the season looks like. I’m not anticipating any massive roster moves. Presumably, we’re at least a bit healthier post ASG, and I can’t really picture us playing much worse than we already have been. Can we improve? By how much? I don’t know if it’ll be pleasant, but it should at least be different, and god, I think we could all use some change from these last few games.
Break couldn’t have come at a better time. This sub’s toxicity is also near its all time high. See y’all in Feb.
Vitek was great from what I saw yesterday.
Personally I believe if we continue to start the worst goalie in the NHL and continue to have a coach who makes no adjustments, no preparations, and who’s team plays from behind 75% of the time, we will be just fine and make the playoffs, probably win the cup. I for one am completely inspired by Lindy ruff’s blank, spaced out, emotionless expression that is permanently marked across his face.
Was going back and forth with someone in a now-deleted post about our circumstances and how they think, like a lot of people in this sub, that “injuries aren’t an excuse anymore” and how we’re apparently getting better goaltending than some of the teams above us. So I’ll just post it here.
In GAA for goalies over 25 games played, vitek is dead last. In save %: Gustavsson, Merzlikins, Korpisalo, and Blackwood are above him.
But that’s with a filter of 25 games played. Let’s change it to 10 games played. Where does Vitek rank then?
GAA: 46th
SV%: 61st
Once again, we have the worst starting goaltender in the league with no great option below him, and we have missed A THIRD of our starting lineup, including a top 5 player in the league, our starting d pairing, our most experienced defenseman, one of our top wingers, now the league’s best face-off man, and more for a very significant portion of our season.
Sorry, but this season is washed and we’re playing with house money at this point. I suggest dropping your expectations if you want to enjoy the rest of the season.
Fire Lindy
All this team ever wants to do is disappoint me ):
Has Lindy been fired yet?
I can’t say I fully enjoyed this game but it’s mostly been heartening to see that our ragtag team of no-stars can give it their best and try to hang with one of, if not the best team in the league. I don’t think we’re going far and I don’t think Fitz seems to have any plans to bail us out this year. Let’s see what happens when Jack gets back. If anyone can drag us into the playoffs against all odds, it’s him.
The team has no identity and Nico was spot on with his comments. The ones that keep making the same glaring mistakes keep playing except if your name is Holtz.
I’ve never liked Bahl. He doesn’t play up to his size and he’s making Nemec look like crap. Why didn’t Lindy try Misyul with Nemec, who plays more physical?
Marino too. If he can’t box a guy out, box him out.
Dano is spot on with all his comments, maybe he should coach the D.
And the power play that last few games. Wtf. How many people know the drop pass is coming and Luke puts no mustard on it. Surprised there’s not more shorthanded goals against.
Most of the forwards played like trash. Sure half are Ahl’ers but isn’t that motivation enough to hit whatever moves and play like there’s no tomorrow?
Vitek played his best game of the year last night. Hopefully his confidence comes back, but they need something or it’s gonna be another post season.
Losing McLeod left a big hole in the lineup.