"Experts" think NJ can pull off a miracle

[Guest ToMaToToWnWinGsFaN_24]

http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=555321

The main thing with them now is the way they defend. They defend with five and they're not giving up the neutral zone as easily when they defend. When they get into their own zone they are defending with five. There are not as many instances with double and triple coverage as there was early in the season. And, when they attack they attack as a wave of five and they're actually making plays through the neutral zone now. They wanted to be more of an offensively aggressive team, but now they are attacking through the zone with five and generating speed. Earlier in the year there was a lot of one-on-one play and a lot of 3-on-5 offensive play. Now not only are they defending with five but attacking with five and they are making short passes. They don't have the defensive personnel to be making long passes. There ability to breakout of their zone from longer range isn't what it was before and they've compensated for that by making shorter passes.

"Jacques is brilliant. There is no question about it. He's brilliant, so I give him a ton of credit. However, what I will say is no matter who is coaching New Jersey it should all lead to Jacques Lemaire. If whenever he decides to retire they have to get a cardboard cutout and a tape recorder of his voice and just put it on the bench. No matter what happens they will always default to Jacques Lemaire, his imprint and his philosophy. He is the right fit for that team.

"I think they're going to get in.

- Kevin Weekes

Jacques Lemaire has a vast amount of experience and the biggest thing a head coach has to learn is what not to do, not what to do. That's what head coaching experience gives you. I watch now and Jacques has Brian Rolston on the point on the power play and he knows that is what Brian does well so he puts him in that position. Coaching is not about telling your players what to do, it's knowing what your players can do and asking them to do it. Then it's helping them bring that into the team game. Jacques has a plan for the team and he understands what the players can do, and then he incorporates that into the overall team plan. Just look, he doesn't ask Patrik Elias to go hard on the forecheck and bang the heck out of people.

"When you watch the Devils, watch this: A key part to moving the puck is getting to position quickly, so if the puck goes into the corner and Defenseman A is racing for it and being forechecked hard, the first thing he has to do is get to the puck but the Defenseman B has to work hard to get into position. Jacques Lemaire thinks it's as important to work hard to get into position as it is to skate hard with the puck. Get into position and get the puck moving. Watch how quickly the Devils' defensemen work down low, the partner play, quick to the puck and the other guy gets to position quickly so he can receive the puck and move out in uniform. Now you're coming up the ice, and you back off the other team.

"All these things sound subtle and they are subtle, but they're so important. Jacques understands that and he understands how to instill those things in a team.

- Benjamin Button

I just dont think they can do it.

do you think they can?

[Gordie Howe hat trick 110]

I would love for them to do it, but I just don't see it happening.

[HankthaTank 1,100]

None of the above. I COULDN'T CARE LESS. Sorry just a peeve of mine that people say "Could care less". That is all.

[Echolalia 2,961]

I personally think its too little too late, but I would sure hate to have to vs then in the first round.

[edicius 3,269]

I don't see it happening, honestly. Would I be surprised if all the teams around them s*** the bed in the remaining weeks? No, because...well, it's the East. But I just don't see it happening.

[mmamolo 287]

I voted yes but it'll be tough because there are so many teams they have to leap frog.

This guy on UNSPORTSMANLIKE.CA gives out NHL picks every day and he has been saying New Jersey would make the playoffs going back like 5 weeks ago. He's been predicting them to win constantly. I don't know if any of you bet on NHL games but I've made a ton of money piggy backing his picks. He's gone on an insane streak over the last 6 or 7 weeks. But personally, I give hiim credit for the NJ prediction, not these bums on NHL.com

In fact, I just looked it up: Since January 25 he is 50-22 for +2140 units. That's a .695 winning percentage man. Crazy stuff.

Edited March 8, 2011 by mmamolo

[xtrememachine1 795]

Well they have a lot going for them. They are 8 points out of the last playoff spot, but are playing in the East after all. They have a ton of easy games coming up like Ottawa, Atlanta, the Isles, the Jackets. I could see it happening. They only need to pass Buffalo (or NYR), Carolina, Toronto and Atlanta. I would bet money on them passing those last three for sure.

Edited March 8, 2011 by xtrememachine1

[cusimano_brothers 1,655]

Props to Lemaire for convincing Kovalchuk that earning his money is more important than counting his money.

[brett 1,029]

I hate the devils, nonetheless I don't think its possible. I think they will need around 90pts to get in. They can only lose 5 or less games.

Edited March 8, 2011 by brett

[ricky0034 89]

at first I didn't think they could make it,then they kept it up for a while and I thought they had a chance but still wouldn't make it

at this point I think they will make it

[wings1110 184]

all they do is throwing away a top draft pick if u ask me

[wingslogo19 281]

There on a great run right now, but I think it's a little to late

[Hockeytown0001 7,652]

It sure would be something.

[GMRwings1983 8,804]

No.

They won Sunday, but didn't move up because both Buffalo and New York won as well. That's the problem with being so far behind. You have to pray that no one else wins either, or else your win counts for nothing.

Also, take into consideration that there will be 3 point games.

[Echolalia 2,961]

No.

They won Sunday, but didn't move up because both Buffalo and New York won as well. That's the problem with being so far behind. You have to pray that no one else wins either, or else your win counts for nothing.

Also, take into consideration that there will be 3 point games.

They definitely need the help of the teams above them to get into a playoff spot, but they do still have two more games against Atlanta, and one each against Toronto, Buffalo, and NYR. They also have a game in hand over all those teams but the Rangers.

From what I've gathered, they can get into 10th place completely of their own accord, but to get any higher, Carolina, Buffalo, or the Rangers need to lose games not against the Devils.

[Drake_Marcus 890]

Well Kevin Weekes is nothing more than a sycophantic 'tard (see: Piere McGuire's less qualified brodcasting twin).

[jollymania 162]

kevin weekes is not an expert and he played for them so of course he is gonna say it

[Drake_Marcus 890]

I mean if you care about odds or probability at all you just can't justify picking the Devils to make the playoffs. They're still 8 points out even after the insane run they've been on. Did I mention they only have 17 games left to make those points up? Buffalo AND Carolina would have to fall apart to let NJ in at this point.

Sure they could make it. But so could Toronto (LOL!).

[e_prime 1,936]

No. Too little too late.

[Hockeytown0001 7,652]

And tonight won't make things any easier.

[jeff48109 474]

they just lost to ottawa

[VM1138 1,921]

I hate the devils, nonetheless I don't think its possible. I think they will need around 90pts to get in. They can only lose 5 or less games.

There's 16 games left for them. Using your calculations (5 losses) they'd have to go 11-6, not an outrageously ridiculous record, especially for a team playing solid hockey.

The question centers around whether the other teams will just fall apart to pave the path for New Jersey. I don't think they make it.

[Rick Zombos Ghost 82]

if they somehow make it i wouldnt want to be the team facing them in the first round.

[Mors 201]

Really? So the Devils are being praised for playing the trap now? ZzZzZzZ

I guess it's possible they could scrape into 8th place, by boring their opponents and the fans to sleep every night. Brilliant!

[rrasco 1,312]

Not to mention ATL and CAR play each other tonight, better hope that's not a three-point game.