Tuesday, April 17, 2007
Devils on the Ropes
Don't let all of the talk about fluke goals fool you. The Devils have been thoroughly out played in this series ever since they gave up the game tieing goal in the last minute of the second period of game two.
The Devils have lost playoff games before and come back to win. What is different this time is that they are having their opponents' will, specifically that of Lecavelier and St. Louis, imposed on them. This is the first time I can recall this happening in a playoff series, even in the ones that they lost. You can sense the uncertainty whenever either of those two are on the ice. It transcends through the entirety of both teams: each play the 'Ning makes appears to have a purpose and the Devils are reacting to it.
That said Holmqvist continues to give up juicy rebounds. The best defense here for the Devils is a good offense. If they can get some better cycling shifts in the 'Nings zone they will get to a few more of those rebounds and begin to dictate the play a bit more.
To that end, in my opinion, it is time for some bold experimentation: Move Elias off the EGG line and put him with Madden and Pandolfo; an under-rated aspect of Elias' game is his ability to pass out of the defensive zone. That is something that Pandolfo and Madden are having trouble with and if Elias is on the ice more often, even in a defensive role, it means you get the most of of your best player. Parise should be placed with Gomez and and Gionta; hopefully, he can get them going. Play Dowd with Langenbrunner and Brylin as a second checking line. Sprinkle in Rasmussen, Rupp and Zajac where you can, or bench one of those three and dress Janssens. Have hime try to start a fight with O'Brien. At least that will be the initiation of something.
Game Four is a must win for the Devils. The chances of them winning three straight against the 'Ning are vanishingly small.
The Devils have lost playoff games before and come back to win. What is different this time is that they are having their opponents' will, specifically that of Lecavelier and St. Louis, imposed on them. This is the first time I can recall this happening in a playoff series, even in the ones that they lost. You can sense the uncertainty whenever either of those two are on the ice. It transcends through the entirety of both teams: each play the 'Ning makes appears to have a purpose and the Devils are reacting to it.
That said Holmqvist continues to give up juicy rebounds. The best defense here for the Devils is a good offense. If they can get some better cycling shifts in the 'Nings zone they will get to a few more of those rebounds and begin to dictate the play a bit more.
To that end, in my opinion, it is time for some bold experimentation: Move Elias off the EGG line and put him with Madden and Pandolfo; an under-rated aspect of Elias' game is his ability to pass out of the defensive zone. That is something that Pandolfo and Madden are having trouble with and if Elias is on the ice more often, even in a defensive role, it means you get the most of of your best player. Parise should be placed with Gomez and and Gionta; hopefully, he can get them going. Play Dowd with Langenbrunner and Brylin as a second checking line. Sprinkle in Rasmussen, Rupp and Zajac where you can, or bench one of those three and dress Janssens. Have hime try to start a fight with O'Brien. At least that will be the initiation of something.
Game Four is a must win for the Devils. The chances of them winning three straight against the 'Ning are vanishingly small.
Labels: Devils
// posted by Grinder McCarver @ 5:19 PM 
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