Maybe they’re the new Oilers. Only good when Hughes is playing 🤷🏻‍♂️

They probably are. It's not just the goaltending that's bad, it's the defensive play, the coaching... the team just doesn't know how to stop giving up goals

I just watched Hamilton and Hughes get stuck behind the net while Ehlers was open back side haha

Good news is there’s still a lot of time to try and fix issues

The team is literally scoring -1.2 GSAx/60 at 5v5. We'll be fine

Devils have more talent on defense than Toronto, but I think they have very similar situations in net. Both teams are dependent on scoring 4-5 goals every game.

Whats the update on Nemec? Is he close to getting NHL minutes?

Devils don't want to burn an ELC year and play 3 young dman. He was better than smith/miller in preseason/camp.

The 4th line gets caved in every night.
Brendan Smith gets caved in every night.

You hope the goaltending gets to average, if not you go after a stopgap, the average rental goalie market isn't expensive (see Korpisalo last year)

The 4th line presumably becomes fine when its Lazar and Mcleod instead of Chris tierney and one of Bastian/Nosek.

You hope when Miller comes back he plays well and gets the job, if not you make a move. The issues are very easily identifiable, and fixable

I think that’s right. Oilers have only been good when Hughes plays for them.

NH went heavy offense and their defense is young. No real surprise the defense was going to struggle for at least a couple of months this season

The struggle is 34 years old and wears the number 2

I think NJ’s problem are extremely fixable though most of them include players getting their sh*t together and punting Brendan Smith to the moon

Same comparison. Oilers rely on Mcdavid/Drai and Devils rely on Hughes

Hughes and Hischier out hurts. But they will return.

Losing Severson and Graves without a replacement is really what has separated this year and last.

We need a dmen who protects the puck, can deliver it to neutral zone. (Not some rando who hits).

They better give Miller the start vs Pens to see what he got. A trade could help, Carrier,Tanev,Zadorov or meh Hanifin could all slightly improve. It doesnt help when The dmen let players behind them and dont even look behind them. Too many times both D are chasing, one needs to chase and one just not behind the net.

(Was just getting a dig in on the Oilers)

Sure but he is there because they spent a ton of money on offense.

Also doesn’t help your 9 million dollar top RHD getting owned in 5v5 GA.

Even strength GF% (xGF%)
Siegenthaler 41% (64%)
Hamilton 38% (53%)
Hughes 46% (43%)
Marino 48% (55%)
Bahl 40% (47%)
Smith 29% (40%)

It’s only one stat…but those are lottery term figures

Per moneypuck, Hamilton is at 59.8% 5v5 xGoals%. 1st among devils, and 7th among all NHL dmen (He didn't have a great showing tonight at around 49% so should drop), but wouldn't say he's been the problem.

Would have liked to not sign palat, been able to bring back 1 of Severson/Graves, but oh well

Miller was supposed to fill that, but got hurt

MoneyPuck has hamilton at 59.8% xGoals 5v5.

100%. The step-down from Sevo and Graves to Bahl and Smith is what hurts.

Although I don’t think adding offense over defense was a strategy…they shopped for dmen, but with two good veterans leaving and two promising kids in pipeline, it’s not easy to find right fit.

And while Hughes has been good, he would ideally spend his rookie year in 3rd pair sheltered time.

Going into tonight
I got those #s from Natural Stat Trick
(Which I believe is updated real time)

Look at 5v5 not even strength. Dougie has been on for a LOT of empty netters against, those go under even strength and cave in your metrics.

Luke and Dougie's %s drop massively in those (10% each about), bc they're always the dmen out in those empty net situations

Sure, but not trying to put lipstick on a pig here. It’s ugly all around either way.

Hamilton this year
5v5: 40% GF%, 59% xGF%
Even: 38% GF%. 53% xGF%

Hamilton last year
5v5: 59% GF%, 56% xGF%
Even: 59% GF%, 57% xGF%

I have only watched a few Devils games this year, but Bahl was also pretty rough tonight too.

Goalies been bad, shooting 5v5 has been a problem. Team feels due for positive regression

The issues are there but should be fixable.

Smith needs replacing. If miller can do it, boom, but if **** hasn't gotten dealt with in a months time, you make a move

Same with goaltending, if its not average in a month/2, you make a move

With depth, if Tierney is looking like he ends up a regular at any point, you make a move