Battle Of Hudson covers the Rangers and Devils, who's intense rivalry heated up in the 90's. With fresh faces added, they battle for supremacy in NYC and NJ..
So supposedly, there was a hockey game played in Philadelphia this afternoon. Someone forgot to remind the Rangers. In the final game hopefully of the Alain Vigneault Era, they embarrassed themselves, the jersey and insulted fans with a despicable 5-0 blowout loss to the playoff bound Flyers.
On a emotional day with the hockey world mourning the loss of 15 people in the horrible Humboldt Broncos tragedy due to a accident with a truck in Saskatchewan last night, the Rangers mailed it in. With the Flyers paying tribute to the players and coaches who died during a emotional pregame ceremony, the 18 skaters couldn’t be bothered.
They made it easy for the Flyers, who took their early Christmas present by getting the first hat trick of MVP candidate Claude Giroux’s career. The Flyers captain added to his career high with goals 32, 33 and 34 in making a final statement to voters on a tight Hart race that’ll include the Devils’ Taylor Hall, the Avalanche’s Nathan MacKinnon and the Kings’ Anze Kopitar. That’s if they don’t look the other way and vote for Nikita Kucherov, Evgeni Malkin or certain Art Ross winner Connor McDavid. You never know what the PHWA is thinking.
Giroux is going to finish either second or third in points with his 102 a personal best along with the 34 goals and 68 assists. A year ago, no one could’ve predicted this for him or the Flyers. But shifting him to the wing so Sean Couturier could center the top line with Travis Konecny moved up around Christmas was a stroke of genius by coach Dave Hakstol. A certain Jack Adams candidate even though it’s Vegas coach Gerard Gallant’s to win.
If the Flyers proved anything, it’s that you can change the look of a roster by adding a talented second overall pick in Nolan Patrick while trading a very good player in Brayden Schenn to the Blues in a cost cutting move that netted extra first round pick Morgan Frost and center Jori Lehtera. It’s all panned out with the dominant top line along with Jakub Voracek, Wayne Simmonds, Patrick along with dominant defensemen Ivan Provorov and Shayne Gostisbehere leading the charge back to the postseason. Brian Elliott returned in the final game and only had to stop 17 measly Rangers shots for the easy shutout.
How bad was the nationally televised game? After two periods, it was 4-0 Flyers who led in shots 31-12. As uncompetitive as possible in the Rangers’ last game of a long season. The antithesis of what Henrik Lundqvist was hoping for. He wanted to finish with a win and make the Flyers sweat it out. At last check, the Panthers were up 3-0 on the Sabres. But it’s all meaningless now thanks to the Rangers’ pathetic effort.
Granted. The roster was half Wolf Pack with the ridiculous recalls of Matt Beleskey and Steven Fogarty. What the heck for? Why not Boo Nieves or Vinni Lettieri? God almighty.
Leave it to Vigneault to play Pavel Buchnevich and Vladislav Namestnikov with Beleskey on a mismatched fourth line. If that’s it for him, it’s fitting. He is just a horror show when it comes to lines and playing kids. It better be. If it’s not, I won’t watch a single period next season until he’s gone. He cannot coach this team.
It’s really hard to bash every player. You know a few tried. Kevin Hayes managed to be Even in the humiliation. Chytil wasn’t as lucky finishing minus-three with Mika Zibanejad and Chris Kreider. Marc Staal was only a minus-one and finished the year plus-11 on a horrible team that finished in last place for the first time since the Dark Ages.
Lundqvist gave up five goals on 40 shots including Giroux’s breakaway goal high glove side that looked like a cardinal copy of Hall’s penalty shot. He must feel relieved that it’s over. He finishes with a 2.98 GAA and .915 save percentage in 63 games. Way too many played for him. That must change in the future. He’s 36 in a rebuild. There could be more tough times ahead.
Brady Skjei was the only player to play in all 82. He will need to grow into the shutdown role when his third season starts up in the Fall. He’s got time to recoup and get stronger as will Neal Pionk. As for the rest, questions remain. John Gilmour is a terrific skater but what is he? Rob O’Gara needs work. Tony DeAngelo should have a good chance if his ankle heals properly. Ryan Lindgren should get a good look in camp.
There are many questions which won’t get answered until after break up day. The first should be giving Vigneault his walking papers. His time is up. Every good run comes to a end.
I’m sure GM Jeff Gorton will have a lot of work to do. The NHL Draft Lottery is April 28 in Toronto. Only if both Chicago and Edmonton win can the Rangers finish 23rd. Not that it’ll matter. They never have any luck and have never picked first overall. What they have is a abundance of first round picks along with a pair of seconds and thirds. Plus either Namestnikov or Ryan Spooner with one possibly rerouted.
I’ll have more in the coming days. But here’s a little friendly reminder from school days past.
Later today at about 3:15 PM in the City of Brotherly Love on NBC, the Rangers play their final game of the season against the Flyers. Game 82 means a lot more to the hated rival who with just a point can make the playoffs which would eliminate the Panthers.
It was eight years ago that these teams played a final game in the same arena that would determine who made the playoffs. The Flyers won in a shootout and went on a miraculous run all the way to the Stanley Cup Final before falling to the Blackhawks. The Rangers went home for the first time in the Henrik Lundqvist Era. At least it had meaning.
This time, the rebuilding Blueshirts who have recalled Matt Beleskey and Steven Fogarty, can make the Flyers sweat it out if they can beat the Flyers in regulation. Something Lundqvist wouldn’t mind. It wouldn’t quite be revenge because it’s not the same circumstance. But it would at least give Florida a chance. They have to get a Flyers loss in regulation and win the last two games against the Sabres tonight at home and find a way to go into Boston tomorrow night and get two points.
There’s nothing to play for except pride. Is it realistic to think the Hartford Wolf Pack can play well enough to stun a desperate ad much better Flyers team in enemy territory? Probably not. But this is sports. The game must be played. Whether they can muster the energy and motivation won’t be known until a few hours from now.
Who knows? Maybe this is the game Pavel Buchnevich remembers to shoot the puck and score instead of being stuck on a ugly 14 goals in 73 games. But I thought he was a god. It’s a suggestion that the second-year Russian should practice taking 100 shots a day in the offseason. He’s not close to a “first liner” the foolish NYR bloggers would have a few of our brainwashed fans believe.
I’m more hopeful that first round picks Lias Andersson and Filip Chytil do something. That is if Alain Vigneault would stop being so stubborn and use Chytil on the power play and give Andersson ideal linemates instead of putting him in Siberia on the fourth line. Pa-th-etic!
At least this should be the end of bubble gum chew behind the bench. He’s not cut out to coach a younger roster that’s the antithesis of what he’s used to. Jeff Gorton better get on the phone with Sheldon Keefe.
I’d love to see Mika Zibanejad and Chris Kreider have one last big game and torment Flyer fans. The same for Kevin Hayes, who’s up to a career best 25 goals. I’m real excited about his improvement and believe he’s primed for bigger things next season. Ditto Kreider and Zibanejad who are a dynamic duo that are capable of making a quantum leap.
To win, Brady Skjei must continue to improve at shutting down the opposition. That means seeing plenty of Hart candidate Claude Giroux, who enters play with 99 points. He will be a handful with linemates Sean Couturier and Travis Konecny.
Neal Pionk will continue to learn on the job with Marc Staal, who’s been instrumental in his development. Look for them to see plenty of Jake Voracek, rookie Nolan Patrick and Wayne Simmonds.
How will this team deal with the dangerous offense from super Flyers defensemen Shayne Gostisbehere and Ivan Provorov? Avoid the penalty box.
I know they can potentially move up to 23rd if the Oilers and Blackhawks win. But what’s the big difference in the weighted NHL lottery which will favor the bottom three teams? Honestly, I don’t expect to get anywhere near a top 3 pick because in franchise history, the Rangers have never picked first overall. Let’s not delude ourselves.
I would rather win over the Flyers without them getting the stinking brownie point and make them and their fans nervous. Sure. There’s no guarantee the Panthers can pull it off. I wouldn’t even put it past them to lose to the Sabres, who are scoring goals and already secured the worst record. They’ll have to beat Buffalo and find a way to beat Boston tomorrow night for a second time this week.
So, let Lundqvist start and shutdown the Flyers. Let’s go out the right way.
A day after the Devils finally broke their six-year postseason drought I’m still an odd combination of excited and relieved. Excited for both the journey ahead and enjoying the one just completed (well technically it’ll be completed after game #82 tomorrow but you know what I mean), and relieved in that it literally took a 10-2-1 surge down the stretch against tough competition to sew up a berth. Even having 95 points going into last night wasn’t enough – and wouldn’t have been enough with the Panthers winning yet again – the Devils needed one final victory last night against the Maple Leafs to seal the deal and got it in their usual nail-biting style. Older Devil fans will say this stretch run was reminiscent of 1987-88 where the Devils ironically went 10-2-1 down the stretch only sewing up the franchise’s first playoff berth in overtime of game #82 when John MacLean beat the immortal Darren Pang with a rebound goal and started the franchise on a Cinderella spring that led them all the way to Game 7 of the Conference Finals.
It is scary how similar those two runs are if you look at it. In fact Tuesday night was the 30th anniversary of that MacLean goal which was a seminal moment in franchise history. Returning to the playoffs for the first time in six years was another seminal moment last night. If that Devils team had Sean Burke come in and do nothing but win down the stretch, this Devils team had Keith Kinkaid do the same. Fortunately this didn’t come down to overtime in game #82 but it might as well have with all the nail-biters during this run. If any one of them went the other way you’re talking about things coming down to the final weekend of the season. Of course it would have been very difficult needing to win at Washington (even a Caps team perhaps resting guys now that they’re locked into the #2 division winner spot) Saturday with the pressure on if this race ever had to get to that point.
I’m not going to get much into the nuts and bolts of last night – Derek did a little with his post and anyway, I need a break from dissecting games before next week. One thing I will say about the game itself is that in a season where much was made of Hart candidate Taylor Hall and goalie savior Kinkaid rescuing the team, it was ironic that last night’s clincher was decided by a grinder showing skill in Patrick Maroon and a couple of players who really hadn’t played well of late – goalscorers Pavel Zacha and Miles Wood. Zacha had a couple of brutal turnovers in the last two games, to the point where I wanted him shot to the moon after the first period last night when he pulled a gaffe even worse than his first-period turnover against the Rangers on Tuesday night, but unlike that gaffe which made a 3-0 game into a 3-1 game, Kinkaid was able to bail him out last night (as he did Sami Vatanen later when he committed his own horrendous turnover right in front of the net just after Zacha scored the tying goal), and Zacha rebounded in the second period to score a beauty of a goal over Frederik Andersen’s shoulder on the shortside. Just as importantly Zacha saved a sure goal in the third period with a great shoulder stop.
Wood had also been dissapointing as of late, particularly after his suspension a while back. Thankfully he did what he needed to late in the second period and got in front for a garbage goal after Maroon had a beautiful cycle along the boards. He kept the puck so long I was literally screaming ‘dish it off Maroon, you’re not a playmaker!’ Of course after the goal the fan sitting next to me kidded ‘you sure about that?’ Both goals came in the second period after a nervous first period where the Devils dominated early but didn’t get the benefit of the whistle, and went behind. Things looked bad after the first intermission, especially when the Panthers grabbed a 2-0 lead in yet another game they would eventually win. While there was obviously drama in the third period thankfully there was no angst as Kinkaid, Zacha and the rest kept the Leafs at bay and Mitch Marner’s tripping penalty in the final minute all but ended Toronto hopes of playing spoiler.
Another irony from last night’s game is that the Devils still have not clinched a playoff berth without Lou Lamoriello in the building. Of course they hadn’t earned a playoff berth without Lou being part of the organization before last night, but he was in the other GM’s suite for this game. Predictably the Leafs iced their full lineup, not wanting to make it easy for us. I wouldn’t have expected anything different. If clinching Tuesday would have been nice for the rivalry aspect against the Rangers, clinching last night is the first sign the Devils and their fans can finally put the past behind them. Not just the past of the previous five seasons of futility but the past glories from individuals that by and large are longer here. This new team and new generation of Devils needs to make its own mark and last night was the start of them doing just that.
Putting the past behind us is more than just about on-ice results, it’s about connecting with a new generation of fans, and connecting on a deeper level with the old generation. While Lou’s button-down ways and only giving out name, rank and serial number was best for the Devils teams of the 1990’s and 2000’s, this generation of fans demands more than just wins. They want to actually know and like the people wearing the jersey and working for the organization. It’s no longer the case where most people get their news on radio/TV and in the next day’s newspaper, now you have to hold people’s attention and get them engaged for more than just the two and a half hours on gamenight. While the team’s social media game had steadily improved since Lou left, it seems as if this season was the coming out party for that as well as the team. Between Kinkaid’s annual post-game emoji recaps, the locker room and other videos posted on Facebook/YouTube and the all-access podcast with Amanda Stein and Arda Ocal, all of it has gotten fans more engaged and given fans like me more stuff to soak in between now and the start of the playoffs.
You could tell the social media people wanted and needed this playoff run badly too, to help grow the brand and take advantage of this building excitement around the team. To the point where all their accounts (Twitter/Facebook/Instagram) changed from having a New Jersey Devils name to ‘x – New Jersey Devils’ with the x of course signifying clinching a playoff spot. I was almost tempted to get in the spirit and do it in the title of this post, but it looks a little off for the title of a blog. Heck, the team’s last episode of their ’82 Game Odyssey’ mini-series was posted today – somewhat coincidentally since it’d been posted days ago that it would be online Friday but perhaps fitting that it dropped the day after the team finally clinched a playoff berth…and was simply titled ‘Clinched’. To their credit, the players and staff have embraced this new normal and to the credit of both GM’s Lou and Ray Shero, there are a lot of likeable players and personalities in the locker room that can handle being social media celebrities.
Just on a micro level you could see the excitement build last night as the nervousness of the first period gave way to the anticipation of the final two once Zacha scored (then Kinkaid made that big save immediately afterward to stabilize things). For one of the few times I can remember, the fans stood for the final minute of the game and the roar at the end of the game combined with the emotion from the player celebration/salute of the fans before the fan appreciation jersey giveaways on the ice afterward was an atmosphere I can’t ever remember seeing for a regular season game. Of course it’s been rare that things have come down to the wire in a playoff chase. The aformentioned 1987-88 run was one of the few successful down to the wire chases in franchise history. Most of our fan appreciation days before this year were either meaningless since we were 20 points up on a playoff spot, or in more recent vintage meaningless at 20 points behind a playoff spot. So combining a return to the playoffs with a Fan Appreciation day that actually meant something was a sight to see.
Now that the Devils are in at last, the next concern is who and where we’re playing. Yes there’s still a chance we could host a first-round series which is hilarious but that’s extremely unlikely – requiring a Penguin regulation loss at home to the Sens, Columbus losing to a Nashville team that already clinched the President’s Trophy and us beating the Caps in the regular season finale tomorrow. Everyone has different opinions, to me the only team I really don’t want to play is actually Columbus (and after last night’s results that seems unlikely anyway). Not only do they seem to be a tougher matchup for us physically than most of the colossus teams, but I don’t want to be the team to lose the first playoff series in Blue Jackets history either.
Just bring on whatever other colossus the hockey gods dictate, let the odds be overwhelming against us and let’s get it on. Assuming the Penguins win their game against the Erik Karlsson-less Sens tonight I wouldn’t neccesarily want to go pedal to the metal just to dictate what road series we’re playing. Not that I really care about home ice either but I would expect more of a pushback from the team in DC tomorrow if home-ice was on the line. It’s been a long, grinding road and another one starts next week – it would be nice to get some rest for our key guys tomorrow and maybe play others like Marcus Johansson, Jimmy Hayes or Cory Schneider who haven’t been in the lineup much lately. Heck, I need a rest after being at three pressure-packed games in the last six nights (at least this personal five-game home winning streak beats my two months with one home win earlier this season though!). Of course coach John Hynes has pushed almost all the right buttons getting the team to this point so I’m sure he’ll do what’s best tomorrow evening.
I could write more, thank yous to the players and staff for getting this done in such a dramatic fashion, appreciations for anyone that’s helped get this done but right now I need rest and want to soak it in all the more before next Wednesday or Thursday. Till we have an opponent to preview, I’m peacing out for the moment from cloud nine.
By show of hands, how many fans who root for the Devils had them making the playoffs? We know the experts didn’t. Myself included although I don’t get paid to cover the great sport of hockey. Nobody believed except my friend Robert. I thought they could be competitive but looked at the Metropolitan Division and had trouble ranking them in the top six.
Even with key newcomers Nico Hischier, Will Butcher and Jesper Bratt, no one knew Taylor Hall would have a season for the ages. He had never before carried a team and cane off a disappointing first year in New Jersey. Few could have predicted the 52 points he’s totaled since the new calendar year that’s propelled him to the front of the Hart race. The numbers are astonishing. Prior to tonight’s nerve racking 2-1 home clincher over the relentless Maple Leafs, Hall had only not picked up a point in three games in 2018. Here is the full breakdown:
There’s no doubt he’s the biggest reason for the amazing turnaround that became official at The Rock. The Devils are back in the postseason for the first time since 2012. With a game left, Hall needs three points to tie Patrik Elias for the single season Devils scoring record of 96 points set in ’00-01. He should be the favorite for the Hart Trophy. If not, it should between him, Nathan MacKinnon and Anze Kopitar with all three meaning everything to their respective teams. That’s what most valuable player means. Not going with the leading point getter Connor McDavid when the Oilers are a joke. Even Nikita Kucherov has plenty of help in Tampa. Evgeni Malkin has the same with the two-time defending champs in Pittsburgh.
Make no mistake. If not for the brilliance of backup goalie Keith Kinkaid, the Devils aren’t here. They don’t make it. His run in net has been remarkable. As Hasan noted in a previous post, Kingkaid (my nickname) entered Thursday night with a 2.39 goals-against-average, .927 save percentage and a 15-3-1 record since Feb. 13 in a win against the Flyers.
In making 31 saves including some unreal stops in crunch time with his team hanging on against the scary Leafs offense, Kinkaid was again the difference. He wouldn’t allow Toronto to tie it. As the fans in Newark were on pins and needles, the undrafted goalie was front and center saving his team time and again. There were a couple of Leafs tries that looked like sure goals. But a sprawling Kinkaid made the clutch saves to loud cheers.
As much as it was about the team’s success, this was his moment to shine. Who would’ve thought the Devils would have 97 points and it wouldn’t be because of starter Cory Schneider? Another one of those hard to believe details in a special season. He deserves this. However it goes, the fun underdog story Kinkaid will be the starter when the NHL Playoffs get underway in less than a week.
#njdevils 👊🏽 their 🎟 to the playoffs! 🚛 w/ Big 2 🍎 night ! 🇨🇿 starting the 🚨w/ a 🎯. 🚪slamming home the GW🚨! Tremendous team effort tonight ! #🐓out #NJDvsEverybody#playoffs ✅
Give coach John Hynes a lot of credit. He made a gutsy decision to go with Kinkaid down the stretch when it became apparent something wasn’t right with Schneider. He hasn’t won a game in 2018 since returning from a groin injury. Those can be tricky. I have to imagine he was rushed back. You see it all the time in sports. Guys coming back too soon. We’ll see what happens in the postseason.
Hynes has pushed the right buttons. He realized Kinkaid was playing better and gave the Devils the best chance to win. It worked. The only question is does Schneider get the final start Saturday night at Washington. They’re still playing for something. Currently tied in points (97) and ROW (39) with the Blue Jackets, they can earn home ice if they win their final game and get help from Nashville. If the Penguins lose tomorrow to Ottawa, they are within reach only a point up for second place.
So much still hasn’t been decided. Both the Devils and Blue Jackets are in. Columbus is third due to one more total win (45). They also took the season series. The Flyers need a point against the Rangers Saturday afternoon or any kind of Panthers loss the final two games. Florida can still catch them if the Rangers help them. They have to beat Buffalo at home and go into Boston Sunday night and win. That’s only if Philadelphia loses in regulation to the Rangers at home. A game of no consequence to New York other than lottery position. A loss is more important than a win. Watch them spoil it for the hated Flyers.
If you’re wondering about Kinkaid, this is what he’s meant to the Devils. With the exception of March 20 when he relieved Schneider in a blowout loss at San Jose which made things dicey, he’s started the last eight games going 7-0-1 with a 2.25 GAA and .931 save percentage. The kind of numbers Martin Brodeur could be proud of.
It’s pretty astonishing. Especially when you see that his overall statistics are 26 wins with a 2.77 GAA and .913 save percentage in 41 games. If you’ve followed him, you know better. No playoffs without Kingkaid.
If this Devils season has been a refreshing change from recent years of hopeless ineptitude and boring hockey, last night at the Rock was even a step above that – it was reminiscent of the glory days with a playoff atmosphere on the ice and in the stands. Arguably the Devils played their biggest game at the Prudential Center since the 2012 playoffs, and came up with their biggest win since Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals – also against the Rangers. Of course, much has changed since May 25 almost six years ago…specifically 90% of the roster and 100% of management/ownership. Six years is a longer time in life than in hockey but with all the off-ice drama and angst it seems like it’s taken longer than six years to get back to the brink of the promised land of the postseason.
Amazingly enough, the only drama at the arena yesterday was focused on the out-of-town scoreboard where the Islanders bumped off the Flyers in a wild game that put the Devils ahead of Philly for the moment, while the Blue Jackets came from 4-1 back to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat and prevent us from passing them in the standings too. Of course the big game everyone was primarily focused on did not go our way as pro’s pro Roberto Luongo revived the Panthers’ season with a big-time 40+ save performance against the Predators and prevented a Devils clinch for at least two more nights. Thankfully, the Devils’ easy 5-2 win on Tuesday ensured that they no longer should need to concern themselves with the OOT board. One win of any kind in their last two games and the Devils are in the postseason at last, no questions asked.
If clinching yesterday against the Rangers after the nadir of Fan Depreciation Day against them three years ago would have been a sweet 180 degree turn of fortune, clinching tomorrow against Lou Lamoriello’s Leafs would be the height of irony. Predictably, the Leafs plan to run out their first-string lineup tomorrow despite the fact the game means zero to them in the standings, being locked into the #3 seed in the Atlantic and a road matchup with either Boston or Tampa Bay in the first round. As much as I hoped maybe the Leafs would rest a few guys, deep down I knew Lou and team president Brendan Shanahan didn’t exactly want to make it easy for us. Say what you want about Lou’s departure from the Devils three years ago but he was basically fired, and in some ways probably feels like he got the last laugh landing in Toronto and making the playoffs for a second straight year with a young, up-and-coming team while the Devils are still – for the moment – on the outside looking in of the postseason.
Still you could sense at least the beginnings of a change at the Rock last night. Not a change back into being relevant – that’s already happened, but rather a realization that maybe, just maybe this year is only the start of something special building and not just some fluke one-off year or even an elaborate setup for a dramatic last-minute rug pull out from under us (like say, the 2016 Jets who won a string of wild games down the stretch in the most un-Jet like clutch fashion only to come a cropper in the season finale once again). Sure part of me’s still paranoid over that worst-case scenario especially the longer the Panthers refuse to die, but really last night the Devils looked like a team that wasn’t going to be denied. And more strikingly, Taylor Hall looked like he wasn’t going to be denied a chance to finally shine in the postseason. His already strong Hart credentials seemingly get better by the game with his best performance as a Devil last night, electrifying the crowd with two goals and two assists including a sensational penalty shot that salted the game away at 5-1 late in the second period and blew the roof off the Rock with more, and louder MVP chants than before.
There’s nothing left to say about Hall that hasn’t already been said. Sure, there are other strong candidates for the Hart but if the voters don’t recognize his impact on this Devils team it’ll go down in team history alongside Scott Stevens being denied the ’93-94 Norris trophy despite an eye-popping season of 78 points and a +53 and Martin Brodeur being stiffed out of the 2003 Conn Smythe trophy as just another memorable individual award diss of a Devil by a biased hockey establishment. Guess that would also be a reminder of the glory days too. Despite missing five games, Hall has a very real chance now to set a Devils team record for points in a season, sitting at 93 just three points behind Patrik Elias’s outstanding 2000-01 season total of 96.
Despite Hall’s virtuouso performance, credit needs to go to a lot of different places assuming the Devils finish this 2017-18 regular season off the way it needs to be finished off. Around the NHL, Nico Hischier is starting to get more attention for his stellar rookie season with 51 points and his two-way game, with coach John Hynes offering high praise saying his defensive play was as good as Travis Zajac’s. If it wasn’t for the sensational Matt Barzal (who’s in his second post-draft year unlike Nico), the precocious Devil would be a front-runner for the Calder. Drafting in under the steady Nico and the fast-starting Jesper Bratt, defenseman Will Butcher has been underrated for most of the season but having 44 points as a rookie defenseman in the NHL is nothing to sneeze at either and his two goals last night was a welcome sight. Nor has he been the anticipated trainwreck defensively that guys who’ve had more experience than him have been at times (coughSeversonMoorecough).
I could go on and on about other guys like Kyle Palmieri – who clearly saved the season with his own virtuoso game last Tuesday, and also went full warrior mode by getting his own flight to Montreal for the game on Sunday after sustaining a scary cut just below his eye, refusing to miss a game even after the team initially left him back in Newark. If you want to talk about veteran leadership there’s Brian Boyle and Ben Lovejoy, among others. Sami Vatanen’s been a revelation as a first-pairing defenseman since being traded here from Anaheim, Mirco Mueller’s had a career revival since getting back into the lineup. Others like Blake Coleman, Brian Gibbons and Stefan Noesen have provided grit and a surprising amount of scoring from the back lines. You could say the same about Miles Wood too except that his game’s fallen off a bit since his suspension and last night both he and Pavel Zacha had scary bad turnovers that led to the only Ranger goals of the night. Clearly guys like Zajac and captain Andy Greene deserve credit for being the lone stablizing forces in these last few years of tumult. Even a guy like Patrick Maroon’s chipped in since his deadline-day trade from Edmonton.
Among the non-Hall players though, one has stood out the last two months – a most unlikely hero in goalie Keith Kinkaid. His contribution can’t be overstated, especially coming as it has after the complete implosion of starting goalie Cory Schneider, and with Kinkaid getting off to his own scary bad start to the season. Despite getting some fortunate wins Kinkaid really wasn’t playing all that well till early February. Since then however, he’s been a new and improved goaltender – giving us the stabilazation in net we were supposed to have gotten from Cory and saving a season that could well have tettered on the brink of collapse even with Hall and company. His numbers over the last two months in crunchtime are astonishing for anyone much less an undrafted career backup:
Kinkaid since February 3: 15-3-1 2.39 GAA .927 Spct
Consider that the Devils have a five-point lead on a playoff spot as of now…Kinkaid even going a decent 12-6-1 would have put us in an extremely precarious spot leaving us a point behind with one less game to play than the Panthers. While Cory’s lost every game in 2018, Keith’s picked up the slack by winning darn near every game and has provided one of the most unlikely late-season goalie success stories this side of the Hamburglar’s run in Ottawa a couple seasons ago. Unlike Andrew Hammond though, Kinkaid at least had somewhat established himself as a run of the mill backup before suddenly turning into Patrik Roy, Dominik Hasek and Brodeur all into one for a magical two-month stretch. Still, given Kinkaid’s unsightly splits for the first three months of the season nobody could say they saw this coming.
There’s no more question over who the starting goalie for the rest of the season is or should be. Keith’s earned the net. Questions over what happens next year after the dust settles and you still have Cory inked to four more years at $6 million per are left for another day. Right now we can just be thankful we have Keith, Hall, Nico and everyone else that’s made the first 80 games of 2017-18 a special ride. But for its place to be cemented in Devil history as one of the most fun and meaningful regular seasons ever, the team needs to finish it off – preferably Thursday at home in front of another sellout crowd who’ll be amped to see a potential playoff clincher. Clearly 2018 isn’t 2008 where playoff clinchers were met with a collective yawn and hibernation till April.
Perhaps the only regular seasons more meaningful than this one – should it finish in a playoff berth – in Devils history are 1987-88 (the Cinderella run to respectability) and 1993-94 (the beginnings of a dominant team). As a fan and season ticket holder, 2008-09 was also a lot of fun with the unexpected success of AHL goaltender Scott Clemmensen keeping the team afloat and thriving while the previously indestructible Brodeur was on the shelf for four months. Not to mention Brodeur returning and setting the all-time record for wins on the same transcendent night Patrik Elias set the team record for points. In the end though, I don’t look on that season back nearly as fondly as I should, because of the ghastly playoff end that overshadowed it. Much like missing the postseason somehow would overshadow what’s been a fun – albeit at times exacerbating – regular season.
To truly make this a special season, this team needs to finish the job and drop the hammer. Don’t wait for the Panthers to lose…get it done yourselves tomorrow night on Fan Appreciation Day with a crowd ready to explode against a team that while talented still won’t have much to play for. GET IT DONE.
It’s always interesting to hear what players say following losses. The Rangers are playing out the string with two games left at the Islanders tomorrow and at the Flyers Saturday.
After yesterday’s 5-2 embarrassment at the hands of MVP candidate Taylor Hall and the playoff bound Devils, Chris Kreider had a telling quote on the close Hudson rival that’s turned the tables. One which should sink in.
Chris Kreider on the Devils: "They're well-coached.''
When you have one of your emerging team leaders praising the Devils by indicating how well coached they are, that speaks volumes about the current situation on Broadway. He’s far from alone.
If they don’t fire Alain Vigneault a day after it ends, something is very wrong.
I didn’t watch tonight’s game. I didn’t have to. Anyone with a brain knew the Wolf Pack had no chance against the Devils who are going to the playoffs no matter how inept Toronto is. If you don’t know what I’m talking about, so yeah. You’re better off. The NHL is a total embarrassment.
As big a fan as I am, I can decide when enough’s enough. The Rangers are fielding a AHL team with Jesper Fast done for the remainder and Mats Zuccarello likely too. So, they’re even worse than the outfit that got annihilated by the Tampa Blueshirts last Friday.
Since it is my week off and I haven’t been feeling well which doesn’t have much to do with the weather, I didn’t bother to put on the game. Why would any Ranger fan watch that crap? I believe in torment to a point but not in Game 80 against the arrogant Hudson rival that’s been waiting to kick us while we’re down.
This has nothing to do with the players on the Devils. I like and respect them. They’ve done the same thing we did in ’05-06 when the same biased media wrote our team off. Driven teams who are together feed off that and use it as a tool. Kudos to Jersey on accomplishing what they have. They kicked the Rangers’ ass all over Newark. The final score read Devils 5, Rangers 2. But it was never competitive. They could easily have ran it up and really humiliated them if they wanted to. A tip of the cap to John Hynes.
There’s something to be said for professionalism when you represent a organization. I don’t care who you are. If you’re employed by one, you should handle yourself a certain way. That certainly applies to the National Hockey League. In all my years on social media, I’ve seen plenty of things that went over the top. There have been worse instances.
Whoever runs the New Jersey Devils Twitter account should lose their job. Funny enough, I’ve taken some good natured ribbing by my Devil friends Online. They’ve coined the phrase that the official Devils account used after MVP Taylor Hart Hall whipped a penalty shot past a frozen Henrik Lundqvist. It was his second of the game (39th overall) and fourth point of the game. I was following the action on Twitter. So, after the friendly banter of, “What Time Is It?,” from both Rob and Chris in our Facebook chat, I made a startling discovery in a Tweet that was a lot more low class from a professional team who obviously may as well be run by a troll with no regard for anything.
The whole joke is something I’ve heard from Rob and Chris plenty of times. Especially the last couple of years when it comes to our egomaniac of a goalie. He can be but MSG will never go there. Lundqvist is more professional off the ice. He sits at his locker after every win or loss. There have been a lot more humiliating losses this year. He’s not the same goalie. How can he be? So, the Devils went there adding fuel to the fire that is the rivalry. Only they poured gasoline on it with more.
I don’t know what they were going for other than the obvious button push. I know plenty of Devils fans here and through Twitter. They’re nice. I will lend support to their team in the first round. Especially if they get the Pens and the crier. They have a likable team that’s easy to root for. Hall is up to 93 points. I predicted he would go for five points in a 6-1 rout. I was not far off. He needs four points to pass Patrik Elias’ single season record of 96 points set in ’00-01. I hope he gets it.
I don’t know if it’s good to be so self absorbed with our team. Do we matter that much? Are we really that important? It’s a rivalry. I get it. I don’t remember our social media account making any controversial tweets the last six years to tweak the Devil side. That’s because the Rangers don’t do it. I’ll admit their account can be a little boring. They don’t interact with fans much. I don’t know if it’s a Dolan mandate. But their reporters are very buttoned up.
My favorite MSG reporter is Steve Valiquette because he actually will respond occasionally to tweets and like ones. He even followed me. He also doesn’t pull any punches. He has a personality. I wish more did. Amanda Borges does too but she’s not going to show it on Twitter. Maybe she’s being watched or is careful. She’s very good at her job. I hope she’s back for a third year.
The Devils employees are more interactive. Maybe it’s a Jersey thing as one of my followers told me tongue in cheek. I have a very good relationship with our followers probably because I’m level headed and don’t lack humor or decency. I recognize that it’s a good thing the Devils will be in the playoffs. Even with the Rangers at the other end of the spectrum.
I find it strange that it was the other way around last year and for five others. But not a peep out of the Devils Twitter. I believe when you’re good, you win with class. Not act like a asshole. Maybe it’s me.
At 10 EST tonight, I will be doing a show on BlogTalk Radio on Hard Hits Network. We’ll cover the latest Devils win. A easy one as Taylor Hart Hall strengthens his case for MVP with a four point effort including a penalty shot goal. He goes 2-2-4 highlighting a 5-2 win over the Rangers.
Hall is up to 18 points in the last nine games. The first time he’s over 90 for his career. One away from 40 goals. He now has a shot at Patrik Elias’ franchise record 96 points for a single season established in ’00-01.
Join us live from 10-11 PM. Or catch our podcast tomorrow.
When the two sides of the Hudson rivalry collide tonight in Newark, they will be taking opposite paths. For while the Wolf Pack Rangers play out the string with three games left, Taylor Hall is leading the Devils to more big games as they chase the playoffs. It could happen later if they beat the Rangers on home ice and the Predators defeat the Panthers in regulation.
Given how well he’s played, Hall is intent on finishing it off now. He continues to score clutch goals like the one he did against Montreal for a shorthanded game-winner in a hard fought Devils 2-1 victory. One that wouldn’t have been possible without Keith Kinkaid. The other part of the story which makes these Devils a great Hollywood script.
To hear most experts tell it, they weren’t supposed to be here. After their good start, they were supposed to fall off. There were moments when it looked possible. But the brilliant play of emerging Hart front runner Hall and the surprising play of Kinkaid wouldn’t allow them to fade.
I asked Taylor Hall for his thoughts on how the national opinion of the Devils has changed from them being a team that has no shot to them being a team that no one should want to play (this is something I am as guilty of as anybody). Great answer here: pic.twitter.com/NdP1NBEDQg
It’s more than that though. These Devils are scrappy and resilient with no quit in them. While Hall does the heavy lifting with 37 goals and 89 points entering tonight and Kinkaid makes the timely saves, there have been unsung heroes such as checkers Stefan Noessen and Blake Coleman. Their hustle and heart have paid off with each scoring double digits in goals along with inspiration Brian Boyle. Brian Gibbons has contributed similar. Don’t think for a second him finally returning didn’t help this final push that has New Jersey 5-0-1 in the last six knocking on the door.
The Jersey Rocket as colorful Chico Resch likes to call him on the radio, Kyle Palmieri has been scoring big goals too. Even in a injury riddled season, he has 24 which ranks second behind Hall on the club. Without Palmieri heating up, who’s to say the Devils are here? Hall can’t do it by himself. He and improving rookie Nico Hischier have become a dynamic duo. Hischier, who plays both ends and is a puck hawk with terrific hands around the net, has developed into the player they thought they had taking him number one overall in last year’s NHL Draft. How about that nifty redirect goal to tie Montreal the other night in the third before Hall’s latest heroics?
Without Devils GM Ray Shero wisely trading former playoff hero Adam Henrique to Anaheim for defenseman Sami Vatanen, they’re not in this position either. He realized the need to improve the back end and made the move which has worked out quite well for both sides. The Ducks getting good production out of Henrique including a huge third period goal in a overtime win over Colorado. The Devils getting steady play and production from Vatanen, who is their best defenseman.
Coach John Hynes hasn’t pushed many wrong buttons. Although I don’t agree with sitting out Jesper Bratt that much for vet Drew Stafford, he’s gotten the results in his third year behind the bench. He made the tough decision to ride Kinkaid down the stretch over starter Cory Schneider, who hasn’t been right since returning from a groin injury. It’s gotta be hard on Schneider watching but all Kinkaid does is win and you can’t tell me that doesn’t make sense. If he was truly 100 percent, my guess is Schneider would’ve gotten back in.
Though he isn’t what he once was, Travis Zajac remains a team leader who takes the tough assignments daily. Who didn’t love him mocking Sidney Crosby in a emotional game the Devils lost to the Pens in overtime on what else but a Crosby great hand eye coordination with a baseball bat swing on Opening Day? Sure. He got the last laugh. But Zajac gave him nothing during regulation at five-on-five while dishing it out. His diligent checking and penalty killing could come in handy if the Devils are in their first postseason since 2012.
Michael Grabner hasn’t lit the world on fire. Since coming over from the Rangers, he has only two goals and three assists. He could still be a factor in a seven-game series. His game breaking speed and shorthanded play make him a threat.
Will Butcher is finishing better with his offense coming back from the blue line. He sure makes things happen on the power play and on the attack with his skating and passing. He’s another young player Jersey fans can get excited about.
Pavel Zacha remains a good question. At times, he shows promise. It’s about finding consistency for the high former first round pick who’s still learning.
Even little used Mirco Mueller has suddenly found a place in Hynes’ lineup making key defensive plays on the penalty kill. It’s been a great year so far for Jersey’s Team. They still have a little work left to achieve their first dream.
They entered the NHL together two decades ago with the Canucks thanks to some wise dealing by GM Brian Burke. The Sedins have spent their entire brilliant careers playing for one franchise in Vancouver. Now, the Swedish Twins Daniel and Henrik Sedin will go out together when the season ends.
Taken second and third overall in the 1999 NHL Draft, they’ve been inseparable since becoming Vancouver Canucks. With three games left to play, they made the announcement yesterday on Twitter via NHL.com. Fans and media showed their overwhelming support for two of the classiest players to ever play the sport. They have always been so well liked due to their amazing chemistry, unique style and artistry in which they played. It truly has been a pleasure to watch both Sedins turn hockey into a Picasso painting.
"We started the year with the mindset that a decision would be made in the postseason. But it became clear, after discussions with our families throughout the year, that this will be our last season…" https://t.co/hOhtj2kTLM
Both are almost identical in career numbers as they pass the torch to Brock Boeser and Bo Horvat. It’s truly amazing when you take a look at the numbers. Henrik has played in 1,327 games registering 240 goals and 829 assists for 1,069 points. Daniel has played in 1,303 games tallying 391 goals with 647 assists for 1,038 points. Each have an Art Ross with Henrik winning the Hart Trophy in ’09-10 along with the scoring title. Daniel followed it up by leading the league in points in ’10-11. Even though he didn’t win the Hart, he was voted by his peers for the Ted Lindsay Award.
That was also the season they came so close to delivering the franchise’s first Stanley Cup. They won the President’s Trophy and reached their first Stanley Cup Final since 1994. In a seven-game series with home ice advantage, they led two games to none and three to two before the Bruins stormed back to stun the Canucks in Game 7. Despite some more big regular seasons, they fizzled out in back to back first rounds leading to coach Alain Vigneault’s departure. Ironically, he guided the Rangers to similar results but looks to be on the way out.
When I think of the Sedins, I am reminded of the short soccer style passes they’ve successfully used as if they were playing catch before turning the puck into the Harlem Globetrotters in a nifty game of keep away. Eventually, the puck possession wizards would wear opponents out by making them dizzy and setting up goals for either each other or happy teammates. They used every bit of the ice so well including the back of the net. It’s a brilliant style that probably will never be matched.
Of course, it’s sad that they’re leaving the game. But it’s better to go out now than hang on. I’ll definitely miss them.
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Derek
Battle Of Hudson 
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