The Beginning of a New Era in New Jersey
May 15, 2017 22:37:10 GMT -5
bjernagris (PHI), Paul, and 4 more like this
Post by jon on May 15, 2017 22:37:10 GMT -5
After four years spent between mediocrity – those were the good moments – and total disaster, the New Jersey Devils appear ready to turn the page onto a new era, following a strong pre-season. Though we all know exhibition games are to be taken lightly, there has been many promising signs for a team that has been searching for an identity for way too long.
The 6-1-0 record, tied for the league lead, is obviously the first one everyone will see. It can be misleading: three of those wins came via shootout and could have easily gone the other way, but it shows a lot of promise. The revamped defence of the Devils, led by stars Dougie Hamilton and Hampus Lindholm, and featuring 2018 8th overall pick Bode Wilde, has been doing excellent work, keeping the opposing teams under 30 shots and 3 goals per game, numbers that hadn't been seen since the 2016-17 season. The blueline also brought along some nice production, with Lindholm and Wilde both getting 5 points in 7 games.
Perhaps the most popular new face in the New Jersey organization is that of Evgeni Malkin, aging superstar who was sold to the Devils at discount price thanks to cap concerns in Vancouver. The Russian made a great first impression to his new fans, scoring two goals and an assist in the pre-season home opener, and finishing with 8 points in 7 games. Rookie Peyton Krebs, the 7th overall pick a year ago, got off to a good start with a total of 5 points, while Michael McLeod hinted at turning a corner in his young career, registering a point per game.
On a somewhat surprising move, the Devils have sent veteran goaltender Cory Schneider to the minors after strong showings from 21-year old rookie Dayton Rasmussen and last season's back-up Andrey Makarov. Rasmussen posted a .929 save percentage in 4 games, winning all of them with a 1.67 GAA. Makarov, in two games, stopped 62 of 65 shots, including a 29 save shutout of the Canucks, also winning both games. The two goalies will be expected to share the workload.
The Devils will be opening the season with two difficult games on away ice against the ever dangerous Predators and Canucks. The expected line-up for the first game is as follows :
Krebs – McLeod – Malkin
Pacioretty – Staal – Sevigny
Howden – Maher – Steel
Wood – Stenlund – Vainio
Pilon – Hamilton
Lindholm – Wilde
Martin – Jacobs
Rasmussen
Makarov
Giorgio Estephan and David Krejci will be the healthy scratches on offense for the first stretch of games. Estephan is expected to alternate regularly with Sevigny, Vainio, Wood and Stenlund, whereas David Krejci should be used in emergencies only, serving mostly as a practice player while the Devils await the running out of his contract. On defence, Zachary Lauzon will be the 7th man, and should be alternating with Luke Martin.
It remains to be seen whether the Devils' promising pre-season will translate into a good season or maybe even a playoff appearance. But, for the first time in years, there can be hope in New Jersey.
The 6-1-0 record, tied for the league lead, is obviously the first one everyone will see. It can be misleading: three of those wins came via shootout and could have easily gone the other way, but it shows a lot of promise. The revamped defence of the Devils, led by stars Dougie Hamilton and Hampus Lindholm, and featuring 2018 8th overall pick Bode Wilde, has been doing excellent work, keeping the opposing teams under 30 shots and 3 goals per game, numbers that hadn't been seen since the 2016-17 season. The blueline also brought along some nice production, with Lindholm and Wilde both getting 5 points in 7 games.
Perhaps the most popular new face in the New Jersey organization is that of Evgeni Malkin, aging superstar who was sold to the Devils at discount price thanks to cap concerns in Vancouver. The Russian made a great first impression to his new fans, scoring two goals and an assist in the pre-season home opener, and finishing with 8 points in 7 games. Rookie Peyton Krebs, the 7th overall pick a year ago, got off to a good start with a total of 5 points, while Michael McLeod hinted at turning a corner in his young career, registering a point per game.
On a somewhat surprising move, the Devils have sent veteran goaltender Cory Schneider to the minors after strong showings from 21-year old rookie Dayton Rasmussen and last season's back-up Andrey Makarov. Rasmussen posted a .929 save percentage in 4 games, winning all of them with a 1.67 GAA. Makarov, in two games, stopped 62 of 65 shots, including a 29 save shutout of the Canucks, also winning both games. The two goalies will be expected to share the workload.
The Devils will be opening the season with two difficult games on away ice against the ever dangerous Predators and Canucks. The expected line-up for the first game is as follows :
Krebs – McLeod – Malkin
Pacioretty – Staal – Sevigny
Howden – Maher – Steel
Wood – Stenlund – Vainio
Pilon – Hamilton
Lindholm – Wilde
Martin – Jacobs
Rasmussen
Makarov
Giorgio Estephan and David Krejci will be the healthy scratches on offense for the first stretch of games. Estephan is expected to alternate regularly with Sevigny, Vainio, Wood and Stenlund, whereas David Krejci should be used in emergencies only, serving mostly as a practice player while the Devils await the running out of his contract. On defence, Zachary Lauzon will be the 7th man, and should be alternating with Luke Martin.
It remains to be seen whether the Devils' promising pre-season will translate into a good season or maybe even a playoff appearance. But, for the first time in years, there can be hope in New Jersey.