Thanks for starting this blog, JP. In my opinion, it's the best of the Devils blogs (its not a competitions!); I really appreciate the depth of the writing. Don't forget about us on Bluesky over the summer!
Ok. Several thoughts. First, I understand why Toronto fans were dissatisfied with Keefe and wanted him gone. He gets another shot next year with a hopefully more healthy team, but what was the point of suiting up a player to not use him in Casey. He said it in the presser, that he was impressed. Well either tell the truth that you did not trust him and thought he was over his head, or use him more than 9:35. Especially late. You had two tired teams, a young guy with fresh legs sitting on the bench.
Second. Noesen, nice 20 second shift which led the game winner. Hicheier was gassed, had just come off, and Noesen jumps right off after one clear, but Nico back on the ice. If Nico had a chance to catch his breathe, maybe the Devils get a clear and Aho does not Tee up the winner.
BTW- did Nico change his name legally to "The Captain" - Devils announcers were annoying as hell in referrring to him as thought all night long during analysis.
The officials were horrible. The interfernce call on Glass, the trip at the end of the first that set up the first power play goal, the 4-minute minor at the end on Mercer were all home calls. Is Mercer supposed to drop his stick after shooting the puck like a little leahue baseball player when he swings and hits the ball. I would say the Canes player ran into the stick on purpose, but...
Bratt was an invisibile minus 3 last night.
Meier needs to play that way all season long.
Am I the only one bothered by the handshake line reactions. Noesen and Pesce did not seem all that upset after the game, hugging it out with their friends. Even Haula, supposedly hated by the Canes and their fans, was hugging guys, and smiling. Nico on the other hand, looked somewhere between wanting to cry, and wanting to hit someone (which was good). Markstrom's body language looked annoyed that the line was taking too long.
I understand the tradition. But after you lose, you congratultate your opponent and get on with it, You don't yuck it up with the victors, I don't care if you are related.
Truthfully - it did not look like some of those players "HATE to lose".
Markstrom was. Nico was something. Not sure angry was it. But invested. TV coverage showed former Canes hugging their former mates so much hard to judge everyone's reaction. Post game had Pesce interview, disappointed, but also seemed like he was used to the feeling. Nico looked like he wanted to cry. I am sure Mercer was devastated, as he is know the goat - on a bs call. His stick is waist high when it hits Canes player, less than second after it hits puck. Canes playes was sliding into him, feet forward.
It's impressive how much of a pumpkin Tatar turns into in the playoffs.
Thanks for starting this blog, JP. In my opinion, it's the best of the Devils blogs (its not a competitions!); I really appreciate the depth of the writing. Don't forget about us on Bluesky over the summer!
Thank you so very much for the kind words! Glad to hear the hard work is paying off!!
I certainly won’t!
I would storm hell itself with Nico Hischier
Ok. Several thoughts. First, I understand why Toronto fans were dissatisfied with Keefe and wanted him gone. He gets another shot next year with a hopefully more healthy team, but what was the point of suiting up a player to not use him in Casey. He said it in the presser, that he was impressed. Well either tell the truth that you did not trust him and thought he was over his head, or use him more than 9:35. Especially late. You had two tired teams, a young guy with fresh legs sitting on the bench.
Second. Noesen, nice 20 second shift which led the game winner. Hicheier was gassed, had just come off, and Noesen jumps right off after one clear, but Nico back on the ice. If Nico had a chance to catch his breathe, maybe the Devils get a clear and Aho does not Tee up the winner.
BTW- did Nico change his name legally to "The Captain" - Devils announcers were annoying as hell in referrring to him as thought all night long during analysis.
The officials were horrible. The interfernce call on Glass, the trip at the end of the first that set up the first power play goal, the 4-minute minor at the end on Mercer were all home calls. Is Mercer supposed to drop his stick after shooting the puck like a little leahue baseball player when he swings and hits the ball. I would say the Canes player ran into the stick on purpose, but...
Bratt was an invisibile minus 3 last night.
Meier needs to play that way all season long.
Am I the only one bothered by the handshake line reactions. Noesen and Pesce did not seem all that upset after the game, hugging it out with their friends. Even Haula, supposedly hated by the Canes and their fans, was hugging guys, and smiling. Nico on the other hand, looked somewhere between wanting to cry, and wanting to hit someone (which was good). Markstrom's body language looked annoyed that the line was taking too long.
I understand the tradition. But after you lose, you congratultate your opponent and get on with it, You don't yuck it up with the victors, I don't care if you are related.
Truthfully - it did not look like some of those players "HATE to lose".
on the list of things that don't matter "they don't look angry to lose" is on top
Markstrom was. Nico was something. Not sure angry was it. But invested. TV coverage showed former Canes hugging their former mates so much hard to judge everyone's reaction. Post game had Pesce interview, disappointed, but also seemed like he was used to the feeling. Nico looked like he wanted to cry. I am sure Mercer was devastated, as he is know the goat - on a bs call. His stick is waist high when it hits Canes player, less than second after it hits puck. Canes playes was sliding into him, feet forward.