All About The Jersey - New Jersey Devils at Calgary Flames: Game Stream #5A world class blog for Jersey's team: the New Jersey Devilshttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/47083/lou-fave.png2013-10-12T00:54:56-04:00http://www.allaboutthejersey.com/rss/stream/45899652013-10-12T00:54:56-04:002013-10-12T00:54:56-04:00Winless in 5: Devils Fanned by Flames, 3-2
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<img alt="Picture proof the Devils scored a goal from long distance tonight. It was by Dainius Zubrus through a screen by the pictured Jaromir Jagr." src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/00UTq5NYMqmwXSYgigoB7ANJsHo=/0x0:4000x2667/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/21038963/184177439.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Picture proof the Devils scored a goal from long distance tonight. It was by Dainius Zubrus through a screen by the pictured Jaromir Jagr. | Derek Leung</figcaption>
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<p>The New Jersey Devils are now winless in five as they lost 3-2 to the Calgary Flames on a late third period goal against. This recap goes into how two-thirds of the defense didn't measure up and how the offense didn't get much going among other observations. </p> <p>So far in this five-game road trip through Canada, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.allaboutthejersey.com/">New Jersey Devils</a> have had three very different games. They looked great for two periods and then botched it entirely in the third period on their way to a 5-4 shootout loss. They stole a point in Vancouver against a superior <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.nucksmisconduct.com/">Canucks</a> team and lost in overtime for a 3-2 final. Tonight, the New Jersey Devils hung with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.matchsticksandgasoline.com/">Calgary Flames</a> for two periods and tried to hold on to a 2-2 score only for it to end 3-2 in regulation. The Devils are now 0-2-3. They are winless in their first five games of the season. The fans are unhappy. I imagine the players, coaches, and management are just as disappointed. As such, someone wants someone to blame.</p>
<p>Accountability is a fun code word for "I want someone blamed and fired/replaced." That's not what that means. It really means having someone admit their error and make improvements to reduce or prevent them. Unfortunately, there is plenty to point out where one could throw out the A-word. The Devils took four penalties while only drawing one; their second power play was the result of a delay of game, not a drawable call. The penalty kill looked good to start but looked foolish on their second power play goal allowed. The team took only 21 shots on net out of 49 attempts. They got a mere four shots in the third period. Even shifts where the Devils appeared to have pressure, they didn't get any shots on net. The Flames were more effective and put up 29 shots on 55 attempts. <span>Martin Brodeur</span> had a far better game than he did in Edmonton but the goal he conceded to <span>Mark Giordano</span> appeared to be stoppable. And then there's the defense.</p>
<p>Oh, the defense. Peter DeBoer put in the young one, <span>Adam Larsson</span>, and perhaps he was the best? He didn't get torched on an error and he was positive in possession (Corsi, not Fenwick, and that's a <i>thing</i> given how the offense went for New Jersey). <span>Andy Greene</span> was similarly effective. I suppose those are the positives? But the other four. Oh, <span>Bryce Salvador</span> admitted to the press that he and <span>Marek Zidlicky</span> got confused on the game deciding goal. Great, I'll blame both for leaving <span>Sean Monahan</span> wide open in front of the net in the dying minutes of the third period. Salvador managed to fire plenty of rubber, only none of his six attempts went on net - five were blocked. Supposed offensive defenseman Zidlicky was all over the place with the puck and managed to defer to #28 when it came to shooting it. He only had one attempt. Swell. In terms of possession, <span>Peter Harrold</span> and <span>Anton Volchenkov</span> got wrecked. Volchenkov also took two penalties, both avoidable penalties, and the second one led to <span>Dennis Wideman</span> getting on the board. The duo played less than 13 minutes at evens and they contributed very little.</p>
<p>Fans are unhappy with these four and I don't blame them. Not one bit. The harsh reality is that <span>Mark Fayne</span> is only one man so only one of these would remain in the lineup should there be a change for the Winnipeg game. Fans are clamoring for youth that doesn't exist as an actual option. <span>Eric Gelinas</span>' area of improvement has to be on the defensive side of the puck, Jon Merrill should prove he's an AHL player before throwing him into the NHL, and everyone else is far away.</p>
<p>It's not youth, it's execution. It's not taking down <span>Jiri Hudler</span> without the puck in front of the ref. It's not getting confused on who to cover down low. It's not blowing zone exits, be it clearances, passes, or chips. It's not winding up for shots to allow defending players to go for blocks, especially when wristers would be more appropriate. It's not</p>
<p>Would it have been great if the ref didn't wave off Michael Ryder's goal in the second period and give him a goaltender interference call for fighting for position in front of the net? Yeah. It would have been great if the penalty kill got pinned back for about a minute and Brodeur didn't get beat by a weak shot. It would have been great if the Devils didn't respond in the third period by hoping Brodeur stopped everything early (he did) and then get so little on Joey MacDonald. Speaking of, it would have been great if the team made the most out of a pretty good performance by Brodeur considering we don't know how many more of those there will be. It would have been great if the Devils at least held on to 2-2 and go to overtime so they got something out of this game like their last three games. But none of things happened and the only ones happy about it are those who wear and support the C's with the flames.</p>
<p><b>The Game Highlights: </b>From NHL.com, here are the game's highlights in video form:</p>
<p align="center"><iframe height="395" width="640" frameborder="0" src="http://video.nhl.com/videocenter/embed?playlist=2013020063-X-h"></iframe></p>
<p><b>The Stats: </b><a href="http://www.nhl.com/scores/htmlreports/20132014/GS020063.HTM" target="_blank">NHL.com Game Summary</a> | <a href="http://www.nhl.com/scores/htmlreports/20132014/ES020063.HTM" target="_blank">NHL.com Event Summary</a> | <a href="http://www.nhl.com/scores/htmlreports/20132014/PL020063.HTM" target="_blank">NHL.com Play by Play Log</a> | <a href="http://www.nhl.com/scores/htmlreports/20132014/SS020063.HTM" target="_blank">NHL.com Shot Summary</a> | <a href="http://www.nhl.com/scores/htmlreports/20132014/TV020063.HTM" target="_blank">NHL.com Devils Time on Ice Log</a> | <a href="http://www.extraskater.com/game/2013-10-11-devils-flames" target="_blank">Extra Skater Game Stats</a> (dig that Fenwick chart)</p>
<p><b>AIM: </b>I will repeat myself but it's worth mentioning again. The Devils took 49 shooting attempts and only 21 got on net. 17 were blocked and 11 missed the net. Only four got on net in the third. Blocks and misses will happen but against a team that has been somewhat leaky with respect to goals allowed, the pucks really needed to get on net more often. The Devils have enjoyed a few breaks from the second game onward. The willingness and space is there; but the timing and accuracy have not been. As I thought to myself often during this game (cleaned up for this post), "Aim, Devils, <i>aim</i>."</p>
<p><b>For One Night - Zone Exits at the Ready: </b>User DevilsRKS has asked me if he can publish zone exit data that he's tracking in odd number games on the site. He's done so in the FanPosts and you should be reading those. <a href="http://www.inlouwetrust.com/2013/10/5/4806578/zone-exits-for-devils-vs-penguins" target="_blank">Here's an example from the first game.</a> Also, <a href="http://www.inlouwetrust.com/2013/10/6/4808184/passing-stats-for-games-1-pens-and-2-isles" target="_blank">his charts for passes too.</a> Because tonight was a road game at a reasonable starting time on a Friday night, he provided updated charts in the Gamethread. Here are his totals from tonight's game:</p>
<p align="center"><a href="http://cdn2.sbnation.com/imported_assets/1854567/mRTrUCh.jpg"><img alt="Mrtruch" class="photo" src="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/imported_assets/1854567/mRTrUCh_medium.jpg"></a></p>
<p>Simply put: the defense all struggled to get the puck out of their own end. Even Larsson and Greene did not impress. Salvador had the highest success rate, but he only made four attempts. It's interesting that Zidlicky and Harrold had more attempts than their partners. One would think that those two would be better at moving the puck than them. Yet, tonight, they weren't so good. Harrold was poor. Zidlicky at least succeeded on half of his attempts but when he didn't - it was noticeable. Especially on the game deciding goal, where he committed a turnover even before the killer pass came to Monahan.</p>
<p>The forwards were much better as a group. The "worst" of the bunch was <span>Dainius Zubrus</span> but he only had the five attempts. <span>Travis Zajac</span> wasn't so good either. <span>Jaromir Jagr</span> and <span>Damien Brunner</span> were perfect, which is a bit astounding in that it meant they were in the defensive zone tonight at times.</p>
<p><b>Season Debut of Josefson: </b> <span>Jacob Josefson</span> came into the lineup in place of an injured <span>Ryan Carter</span>. He was OK. He didn't play too much. Just less than seven minutes with the fourths and a little PK time. The run of play didn't destroy him (he actually came ahead in possession), he won a few faceoffs, and didn't cause of much an issue.</p>
<p><b>Please Reunite 14-19-17: </b><span>Adam Henrique</span> and Travis Zajac were split up. Henrique centered <span>Ryane Clowe</span> and Ryder while Zajac was in between <span>Rostislav Olesz</span> and Damien Brunner. The unit of Henrique, Zajac, and Ryder did well in possession in the past few games. Apart, they did poorly tonight. All three finished below 50% in terms of Corsi and Fenwick percentages. Henrique did get a goal, a rebound right after a power play ended, but his two shots on net came only in the first period. Brunner did get three shots on net out six attempts; but he didn't flash nearly as much. Zajac didn't look so good with the puck at times. Clowe and Olesz were invisible for the most part. I know it's early and it's a long season and getting some different looks isn't a bad idea in general. But I think DeBoer should go back to what's worked for Henrique, Zajac, and Ryder, because tonight, it didn't really work as well as would have hoped.</p>
<p><b>So Who Did Look Good Up Front? </b>While the Corsi percentages are skewed due to all of the blocks (17 total against NJ), they matched up with the group I saw was the best on the ice: Elias, Jagr, and Zubrus. They generated a goal - a long rocket from Big Z - and they provided the little pressure the Devils had in the third period. That threesome got their forecheck going and if it wasn't for a few miscues here and there, they could have done a lot more damage. It's not a fast line and Jagr's defense remains a question mark at best; but these three vets have provided some silver linings over the last three losses.</p>
<p><b>Not Wide-A-Min: </b>Steve Cangelosi's pronunciation of Dennis Wideman was grating. That was helped out by the fact that Calgary really leaned on Wideman tonight. As they should because he was fantastic. He played over 29 minutes, took 13 total attempts (!!), put four shots on net, and scored off the iron to put Calgary on the board in the second. The Flames' power play loves to use their pointmen and with him and Giordano, it's easy to see why after tonight's game. Possession went well for him and he did it without selling out for so many blocks. The Flames' offense, power play and otherwise, often went through #6 and it was a success.</p>
<p><b>Brodeur Was Actually Good: </b>The goal allowed to Giordano was weak. He didn't see Wideman's shot and Monahan's was right on his flank. The other 26 saves he made were not. He robbed Jiri Hudler - also a Flame with a good game - twice right in front of the net. He moved pretty well, though he got spun on a play by Joe Colbourne that could've ended in disaster but did not. He moved the puck around as one would expect from Brodeur and he didn't crack under pressure when the Flames scrambled for the puck. Especially in the beginning of the third when the Flames took a quick 6-1 shot advantage. I liked his performance tonight. I just wished the skaters in front of him did better.</p>
<p>While I'm on the subject of goalies, I will say that I felt MacDonald had a good game. He probably wished he had the Zubrus goal back but he didn't let his team down. For the Flames this season, that's all they may ask of him.</p>
<p><b>Sean Monahan, Calgary Scoring Leader: </b>One shot, one goal. He didn't do much tonight but he proved that leaving a man wide open in front of the net is a terrible idea. Again, I fault Zidlicky and Salvador.</p>
<p><b>Your Take: </b>So now that the Devils are winless in five and lost in regulation tonight, I'm sure you all have plenty to say. So have at it. What did the Devils do that you liked? What did the Devils do that frustrated you? What do you think the Devils need to differently to get the result we all desire? Please leave your answers and other thoughts about this game in the comments. Thank you for reading.</p>
https://www.allaboutthejersey.com/2013/10/12/4830020/winless-in-five-new-jersey-devils-fall-to-calgary-flames-3-2John Fischer2013-10-11T20:00:04-04:002013-10-11T20:00:04-04:00Devils at Flames: Gamethread #5
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<p>The New Jersey Devils continue to search for a win. Tonight takes their journey to Calgary to play the Flames. Users can talk about the game as it happens until the recap is up in the comments of this post.</p> <p><strong>The Time: </strong>9:00 PM EDT</p>
<p><strong>The Broadcast: </strong>TV - MSG+2; Radio - 660 AM/101.9 FM WFAN</p>
<p><strong>The Matchup: </strong>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.allaboutthejersey.com/">New Jersey Devils</a> (0-1-3) at the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.matchsticksandgasoline.com/">Calgary Flames</a> (2-0-2; SBN Blog:<a href="http://www.matchsticksandgasoline.com/">Matchsticks and Gasoline</a>)</p>
<p><strong>The Preview: </strong> <a href="http://www.inlouwetrust.com/2013/10/11/4825430/new-jersey-devils-at-calgary-flames-game-preview-5">My preview from earlier this morning is available right here</a>, though there have been some lineup changes since it was up.</p>
<p><strong>A Song for Tonight: </strong><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SqRnwjax4uM">"Big Thinks do Remarkable"</a> by And So I Watched You From Afar sounds good. It's from their album <em>All Hail Bright Futures</em>. May the future be bright starting tonight for the team we all love and support.</p>
<p><strong>Gamenight Info: </strong>There have been two changes of note, both of which should please the We Need Youth segment of the fanbase. <a href="http://blogs.northjersey.com/blogs/fireice/comments/carter_out_tonight_with_upper-body_soreness_josefson_to_play_in_his_place_larsson_back_in_lineup/" target="_blank">According to Tom Gulitti at Fire & Ice earlier this afternoon</a>, <span>Jacob Josefson</span> and <span>Adam Larsson</span> will play tonight. <span>Ryan Carter</span> didn't skate with the team this morning and he has been ruled out with soreness. Jacob Josefson will play in his place. Adam Larsson will be with <span>Andy Greene</span> tonight on defense as <span>Mark Fayne</span> sits. I suspect some will still complain. But, hey, youth. There it is. Over at the Calgary Herald, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.calgaryherald.com/sports/hockey/calgary-flames/Game+Jersey+Devils+Calgary+Flames/9024084/story.html">Kristen Odland reported what the lines should be for the Flames </a>and highlights <span>Sven Baertschi</span>.</p>
<p><strong>The Reminder of Rules:</strong> This is a place where you can comment about this game before, during, and after it's played before the recap is up. This is a place where we primarily discuss the Devils game. An odd mention of other NHL games is OK, but it shouldn't dominate discussion. All comments will be clean, respectful of each other, relevant to the game, and legal (read: no illegal streams, don't ask for/tell about one). Please refrain from posting large pictures and .gifs as well so the thread doesn't get too bogged down. This will be open until a recap of this game is up later tonight. Go Devils!</p>
https://www.allaboutthejersey.com/2013/10/11/4829280/new-jersey-devils-at-calgary-flames-gamethread-5John Fischer2013-10-11T07:00:02-04:002013-10-11T07:00:02-04:00Devils at Flames: Game Preview #5
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<img alt="Greene! Backlund! The only pictures of Calgary-New Jersey available are from 2010! This is your game preview!" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/9dw4Q5UMqjoFSkiweg7V8MapDH8=/0x70:470x383/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/20978409/gyi0062605366.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Greene! Backlund! The only pictures of Calgary-New Jersey available are from 2010! This is your game preview! | Paul Bereswill</figcaption>
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<p>The New Jersey Devils continue their road trip through Canada with a stop in Calgary, Alberta to play the no-regulation-losses Flames. Learn about Devils lineup changes and a bit about the Flames with this preview.</p> <p>Still waiting for that elusive win. Hopefully it can be found in a different part of Alberta tonight.</p>
<p><b>The Time: </b>9:00 PM EDT</p>
<p><b>The Broadcast: </b>TV - MSG+2; Radio - 660 AM/101.9 FM WFAN</p>
<p><b>The Matchup: </b>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.allaboutthejersey.com/">New Jersey Devils</a> (0-1-3) at the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.matchsticksandgasoline.com/">Calgary Flames</a> (2-0-2; SBN Blog: <a href="http://www.matchsticksandgasoline.com/">Matchsticks and Gasoline</a>)</p>
<p><b>The Last Devils Game: </b>The Devils wrapped up a back-to-back in Vancouver as part of the five-game road trip through Canada. The first period had it's ups and downs but the Devils held up against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.nucksmisconduct.com/">Canucks</a> and even went up 1-0 thanks to <span>Patrik Elias</span> splitting the D with a killer pass to <span>Jaromir Jagr</span>. Vancouver got their working skates on in the second and repeatedly pinned back the Devils. Even when the Devils' D got the puck in their own end, the forwards were out of sorts, making exiting the zone harder. On one of the few New Jersey forechecks in that period, Elias managed get a fortunate bounce through Roberto Luongo's pads to make it 2-0. The lead would not last long. <span>Daniel Sedin</span> took a long shot off a keep-in and <span>Anton Volchenkov</span> got enough of it to re-direct it past <span>Cory Schneider</span>. Later on, <span>Ryane Clowe</span> was stung on a shot and had to hobble to the bench. In the process, play continued and <span>Alexander Edler</span> scored a play similar to Jagr's goal to tie it up. The Canucks doubled-up the Devils in shots in the second, made the team look second-rate, and if it wasn't for Schneider, it would've been a blow out. The third period was closer with no decision. So the Devils went to overtime yet again. Unlike the last two games, the Devils weren't the better team and stole a point. Unlike the last two games, the Devils didn't get to the shootout. <span>Jason Garrison</span> dropped one of his hard slap shots from distance, it apparently got deflected by <span>Mike Santorelli</span>, and that sealed the win for the Canucks. <a href="http://www.inlouwetrust.com/2013/10/9/4819140/devils-outplayed-but-grab-a-point-anyway-in-3-2-ot-loss-to-canucks" target="_blank">Mike stayed up for this one and recapped it in more detail here.</a></p>
<p><b>The Last Flames Game: </b>The Flames hosted the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.habseyesontheprize.com/">Montreal Canadiens</a> on Wednesday night. The host team opened the game by getting out-played as they were out-shot 12-5 but came out of the first up 2-0. Perhaps score effects took place? Rookie <span>Sean Monahan</span> scored his third goal of the season to open up the game's scoring and before the first was over, <span>Sven Baertschi</span> doubled the team's score with a helper from Monahan. Calgary stepped up their shot game in the second period and made it 3-0 with a power play strike from <span>Curtis Glencross</span>. Montreal got on the board shortly thereafter with a power play goal from <span>P.K. Subban</span>. Montreal made it a game just after the 50 minute mark when <span>Lars Eller</span> scored his fourth of the season to make it 3-2. But Calgary held on to win 3-2.</p>
<p><b>The Goal: </b>A complete effort - on defense. The third period meltdown in Edmonton and that awful second period featured one of the more glaring issues the team has had to start this season. It's the defense but not just the defenders, but the skaters as a whole. The Devils' defensemen, man by man, aren't particularly impressive. However, poor positioning and decisions by the forwards have only highlighted their issues. Be it a bad clearance on Andrew Ference's goal, <a href="http://blogs.thescore.com/nhl/2013/10/08/systems-analyst-puck-obsessed-devils-puck-stare-because-the-puck-is-a-puck-and-players-like-pucks/" target="_blank">puck watching </a>on Hall's stunner, or not being in a position to help the defense get the puck out (the Vancouver game), the issues are exacerbated. Schneider was a star on Tuesday and was beaten on a own-goal-deflection and a make-shift 5-on-4. But Vancouver kept making him be a star. On another night, it's a recipe for disaster, two goal lead or no lead at all. And tonight is another night with someone different in net. The Flames as a whole may not be as talented, deep, or in sync like the Canucks currently are. The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.coppernblue.com/">Oilers</a> weren't, but given enough opportunities, they can pile up the goals. The Devils have to improve as a team in their own end.</p>
<p><b>Wherein I Complain About the Lineup Changes: </b>Several fans have expressed unhappiness in head coach Peter DeBoer for not playing young players as much as they like regardless if they're good enough. The Devils being winless has only emphasized these frustrations. Even <a href="https://twitter.com/TGfireandice/status/388318621790793728" target="_blank">Tom Gulitti snarked about it on Thursday morning.</a> I can't say I disagree with some of the criticisms.</p>
<p>Again, DeBoer usually uses the lines and pairings he puts in practice for the next game. <a href="http://blogs.northjersey.com/blogs/fireice/devils_back_at_practice_in_calgary/" target="_blank">Here's Gulitti's report from practice which includes that roster. </a> If DeBoer does use them, this means <span>Andrei Loktionov</span> will sit for <span>Ryan Carter</span> (<span>Rostislav Olesz</span> moves up), <span>Adam Larsson</span> sits again, and <span>Jacob Josefson</span> waits another night for his season debut. On top of that, <span>Martin Brodeur</span> will start this game. I am disappointed with these developments. Simply, I don't think this is the best lineup DeBoer can ice.</p>
<p>Let's go through them bit by bit. On defense, Anton Volchenkov played a whopping 13:22 total and less than ten minutes at even strength. He's not such a superlative player on the PK to justify his continued inclusion. On paper, <span>Mark Fayne</span> (who remains in tonight so that complaint should be quelled) and Larsson are immediate upgrades. I don't think the fourth line really missed Carter in Vancouver, and having Loktionov on the third line gives that unit more skills that Olesz probably doesn't have. Josefson could draw in for <span>Stephen Gionta</span> to give the team some additional skill; he can probably kill penalties just as well as Gionta; and he can be moved up and down the lineup should the need arise during a game, whereas Gionta really can't handle much more than a fourth line spot. Moving Travis Zajac away from <span>Adam Henrique</span> and <span>Michael Ryder</span>, a trio that has done well at getting the puck forward, doesn't seem too bright to me. Lastly, Schneider was great in Vancouver. He kept that game a game. Brodeur was great until the third period in Edmonton. Given that the team had two days off and no wins so far, I would think putting in the better goaltender until at least that first win comes would be wise. I really hope this isn't a sign that the powers that be really do think Brodeur is still the guy. He's not and preseason alone proved that.</p>
<p><b>The Harsh Reality: </b> Let's get real though. Even if DeBoer made those changes, that doesn't mean the Devils are on their way to Victory Town. Youth alone will not get them wins.</p>
<p>Even getting Larsson and Fayne in the same doesn't preclude the defense will be so much better. Larsson and Fayne have started only with <span>Andy Greene</span> and there's probably something to that. We know Fayne's solid enough. Larsson is still a work-in-progress and away from Greene, those flaws with respect to his reactions, coverage, and speed may come out more. That certainly showed in the second game when he was moved to play with Volchenkov in the second period. Yes, Volchenkov can be an anchor but Larsson did himself no favors in that game. That's simply not good enough in this league, especially for a team that has a defined goal this season. You don't just give up on the season and just let the kids do as they wish in October. Either Larsson can help out now and if he can, then he plays. If not, then he gets a shorter leash. At least with the vets, DeBoer and the coaches know what they're getting.</p>
<p>As for Loktionov, I'm surprised he's been so stubborn on playing center because he doesn't necessarily do much in his own end. Being a center means that he's got to be more aware of the defenders, protect the slot as needed, and pick up players as they rotate. Yes, I get that he's learning, but I don't want him to get knowledge at the cost of goals against or forcing the goalie to make bailout saves. Yes, he's very good with the puck on offense and moves real well - but he's not so special at both that one can look away from his not-so-impressive defensive play. I thought, like Fayne, that Josefson would come in for him if he struggled but apparently not.</p>
<p>And even in Brodeur's case, the only really bad goal he allowed was David Perron's off the faceoff equalizer in the third. I don't think he saw Ference's, Nugent-Hopkins' power play goal was amid a scrum, and while he got posterized by Hall, he was hung out on that play. He made strong saves on the Oilers in the second when their apparent Team Speed actually showed up and threatened. Should the Devils not get exposed and exploited for shifts at a time tonight, it's not impossible to think he might actually be decent. Schneider is better but in net, you only have to be good enough to get the result.</p>
<p>But overall, even if you put all of the youngsters and their flaws on the ice, you still have a team that has had trouble understanding where they need to be without the puck. The first two games saw them killed on the counter, the last two games saw errors turn into offense for the opposition that made up leads. <span>Damien Brunner</span>, Michael Ryder, Jagr, Olesz, and Clowe will all play and will still have to figure this out. Adam Henrique, Patrik Elias, <span>Dainius Zubrus</span>, and Patrik Elias can't do it all themselves and they could be a bit better in their own right. There's plenty to be encouraged by the Devils. The errors made are fixable. The communication and understanding of where players need to go when getting back will improve. The team has scored goals and even got some breaks while doing it. Jaromir Jagr now looks like an actual NHL player. <span>Bryce Salvador</span> hasn't been eye-gougingly bad; Greene's been good for the most part; and Fayne played like he didn't skip a beat in Vancouver.</p>
<p>Yet, the answers to get them to that next level aren't found in only playing the young players and whether or not they turn out to have a good game or not. That comes from everyone. I'm not saying they can't help, just that they don't hold the truth.</p>
<p><b>Of Course: </b><a href="https://twitter.com/TGfireandice/status/388335950960812033" target="_blank">Gulitti did tweet out on Thursday that DeBoer said not to read too much into the lines in practice.</a> But reading too much into things is what we do here. It's what fans do. And history shows that's what happens. In any case, if there are changes we will (over)react accordingly.</p>
<p><b>About the Opposition: </b>OK, that was a bit of a rant there. Let's look at the opposition. Calgary has yet to lose in regulation this season. They have fifteen goals scored in four games and the production has been spread out. They have a young man named Sean Monahan with three goals and two assists to lead the team in scoring. Very good production and maybe enough for management to not return him to junior league hockey. <span>Jiri Hudler</span> is tied in points with him with two goals and three assists and has a much larger role given that he's averaged twenty minutes per game so far this season. <span>Mikael Backlund</span>, Glencross, Baertschi, <span>Lee Stempniak</span>, and <span>David Jones</span> have all contributed at least two points this season. This kind of production is very good early on in the season. It's even better when you consider that point-machine <span>Mike Cammalleri</span> and <span>Matt Stajan</span> are out with significant injuries</p>
<p>Defense, however, has been a different story. Their goaltenders this season are <span>Joey MacDonald</span> and Karri Ramo. That's a duo that would make <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.broadstreethockey.com/">Flyers</a> fans feel good about their own goalies on paper. The Flames have allowed fifteen goals in these same four games and MacDonald, <a href="http://blogs.calgaryherald.com/2013/10/10/d-jones-out-b-jones-up-jackman-in-and-macdonald-starting/" target="_blank">tonight's starter per Kristin Odland's Thursday report in the Calgary Herald</a>, boasts <a href="http://www.nhl.com/ice/playerstats.htm?season=20132014&gameType=2&team=CGY&position=G&country=&status=&viewName=summary#" target="_blank">a save percentage of 89.5%</a> and <a href="http://www.nhl.com/ice/playerstats.htm?season=20132014&gameType=2&team=CGY&position=G&country=&status=&viewName=specialTeamSaves#" target="_blank">just under 91% at even strength.</a> It's early but that's not at all good. In terms of shots against, the Flames have allowed <a href="http://www.nhl.com/ice/teamstats.htm?fetchKey=20142ALLSAAAll&sort=avgShotsAgainstPerGame&viewName=summary" target="_blank">an average of 33.5 shots per game.</a> <span>Mark Giordano</span> and <span>Dennis Wideman</span> have taken plenty of shots (13 each) and play plenty of minutes (24+ in both cases), but they've seen a lot come the other way given <a href="http://www.extraskater.com/team/calgary-flames/2013" target="_blank">their sub-50% Corsi percentages per Extra Skater.</a> Maybe it's a case of playing with a lead, but no Flame has been positive in attempts differential. It's early in the season but it suggests that the Devils should be able to find success going forward against them.</p>
<p><a href="http://blogs.calgaryherald.com/2013/10/10/d-jones-out-b-jones-up-jackman-in-and-macdonald-starting/" target="_blank">Odland's Thursday report at the Herald also notes a change in their lineup.</a> David Jones was placed on IR due to the dreaded upper-body injury. The team did call up <span>Blair Jones</span> but he will not play tonight. <span>Tim Jackman</span> will be put into the lineup. The report includes their lines in practice, though I wouldn't read too much into how they're listed. For example, I doubt Hudler sees a lot fewer minutes than what he's had so far. For another, I doubt that <span>Ben Street</span> is their top center.</p>
<p><b>Your Take: </b>I wouldn't expect the Devils to do well in a scoring race with the Flames as they are from my perspective. But I do think that if they can shore up their off-the-puck movement, if the forwards can better support the defenders on defense, and the team in general does not needlessly give away possession on offense, then they could do well tonight. What do you think? Can the Devils quell the Flames' offense? Can they pierce their defense and goaltenders for goals? Who would you have in your lineup and why? Will the Devils win their first game of the season tonight? Please leave your answers and other thoughts about tonight's game in the comments. Thank you for reading.</p>
https://www.allaboutthejersey.com/2013/10/11/4825430/new-jersey-devils-at-calgary-flames-game-preview-5John Fischer