Can the devils come back?

Question

Theyve done it before in 2000 against the flyers (albeit with a way stronger team with Stevens, Danyko,etc) The Devils are pretty much beating themselves at this point being sloppy and letting Ottawa capitalize on thier mistakes. Even though they are down 3 to 1 they have have been beaten by one goal in all 3 of thier losses (one game by 2 goals but the second goal was the empty netter at the end. To me that doesnt count) Brodeur hasnt been as sharp as he usually is in the playoffs and thats due to poor defense. The guy is facing over 30 shots a night...give credit to ottawa for bringin the noise but if the devils were playing better defense, the puck wouldnt be in thier zone all night. Ottawas defense has been pretty good but the devils have proved that they can score on Emery. Does anyone think they can tighten up defensivly and bring some noise of thier own. Some thoughts? Oh and if all you do is talk trash and have nothing constructive to say then dont bother writing an answer

Thanks guys for some great answers. Its nice having intelligent answers as opposed to "so an so sucks balls..go whoever!" Im obviously a Devils fan and i like to hear from devils fans but its cool that the ottawa fans on here can have something decent to add and be classy even if they want the outcome of the series to be different then what we devils fans want. I wish there were more fans of hockey on here who can be articulate about the game rather then idiot trashtalkers who show up to talk crap when thier team wins and dissappear when thier team gets beat. Thanks again folks!

Answer 1

I picked Ottawa in 5, so it's all going according to plan.:) Now I actually hope Emery has a bad night and NJ win tonight 5-4. So then I can get some more points in my players pool. Hahaha! If Heatly, Spezza and Alfredson have a couple more big games the pool is mine! Ottawa is far too good for Jersey this year. I know the games have been close, but Emery is an average goalie by league standards. If this series was closer, I'm pretty sure Ottawa can play even better than they have, if they needed to. They have basically been in control all series except when Emery has let in a few suspect goals. I don't mean to trash talk or anything but I've felt for a long time that Brodeur is highly overrated. He is very athletic and quick, don't get me wrong, but as long as I have watched hockey, which is since I was just little. He has always let in a fare amount of suspect long shots. I don't think he is among the best reaction goalies out there. His game is all size, positioning and speed. I feel it has been the team game that New Jersey plays and the great defense core they had, led by Stevens and Niedermayer (Who will win another Cup this year with the Ducks in my estimation) that has attributed to Brodeur's great numbers. He is a very confident goalie becasue of all of his success and that has made him even better I think. I feel that he is one of the best in the world, but many say he is perhaps one of the greatest of all time and personally, I just don't see it. In the years where NJ won the Cup, Brodeur never had to be great on most nights and usually wasn't in my view. I know Brodeur will win the Vezina as best goaltender this year in the regular season, but that doesn't always mean it's the right choice. I'd trade him if I was there GM. He is worth more in trade than on the ice. You could get at least three quality players for a commodity like Brodeur. Do I think NJ can come back, obviously no. I didn't think they stood a chance at the start. Ottawa is very experienced and has good depth players. I use to really like NJ, but there defense core and forward depth is not currently what it once was.

Answer 2

All I can tell you is that hockey is hockey...... Is it possible?? Yeah.... I have seen teams down 3-1 and come back and take the series.....It's the playoffs.....I know that the Devils have the talent to get to the next round.... They need to try to get Ottawa's offense and defense to collapse . They need to pressure Emery more too... Shoot the puck.....You will not score if you don't shoot the puck.....He can't stop all of them....Stay out of the penalty box and then they can beat this good team from Ottawa...

As for Ottawa they have the Devils right where they want them, the brink of elimination....They are overpowering the Devils in and out of the zone... Ottawa is playing the boards well. They are also throwing some nice checks out there....If they keep this up then the Devils will fall into the depths of hell... Just joking about the hell part, it just fit with the devils...

I am a Wings fan so I would rather see the Devils win but like I said Ottawa has the Devils pinned on the ground right now....They are not letting the Devils do much on the ice....

Answer 3

First, you're asking for trash talk when you ask for people not to answer if that's all they have to offer. They're going to jump in anyway, just go with it.

Now, they can absolutely come back, even though it is very unlikely. Jersey has one thing that no other team left has: the best active, big game, playoff goalie. I can't stand the Devils, or the trap style they play that lulls you into a coma. But their backstop CAN steal a game, probably not 3, and be the catalyst to get his team going.

Last year, same round, Ottawa lost game 1, 7-6 in OT. That game set them up to choke on the series and lose. Jersey could put the same hurting on the Sens today, and break their weak minds again. This year's version is a lot more confident and playing better hockey. It will take a severe a** kicking to right the ship for the Devils. But it's doable and I'm rooting for it. Let them beat the hell out of each other. Then, start down the road to the Cup, next stop, BUFFALO!!!

LGS - Do you believe?

Answer 4

We've Got To Believe, just like Claude Lemiuex told everyone in 2000 when the devils trailed the flyers 3-1 and then went on to win the cup!!! he told anyone who doesnt think the devils can comeback can get the hell out of here and hes right.

Now, we dont Have those big Leaders like:

Scott Stevens
Claude Lemiuex
Ken Daneyko
Jason Arnott ( arguable )
The Old Marty Brodeur
Joe Neuwindyke ( arguable )

Now We Need this devil team to try and work some leadership with these guys:

Patrick Elias
John Madden
Jamie Langenbrunner
Jay Pandolfo
Scott Gomez
Brian Rafalski
Sergei Brylin
And...
Colin White

Answer 5

Teams only come out of a hole this big 8% of the time. AND I don't know of any that did it with a coach that has been around about a month. All the differences and problems you mention smells like a coach that can't bring it all together. As for winning by one goal, a smart team like Ottawa concentrates on the win, and not a bunch of goals. Especially against someone like Brodeur. Beat him by 1 goal, and you can do it several games in a row. But beat him by half a dozen and he is likely to come back with a shut out the next night.

Jersey doesn't have a chance at this point.

Answer 6

A comeback is very unlikely!

Look at the roster in 2000 and compare it to 2007. You said it yourself, the claibre of D-men just isn't there. I don't think it is possible for this group to play better defensively.

I don't think it is correct to say the Devils have been beating themselves. Ottawa's strong forecheck has caused those turnovers.

If Ottawa plays a full 60 min and can limit the time they spend in the penelty box they will close this out tonight, no matter how well Brodeur plays.

Also, empty net goals count! A team pulls their goalie to generate offense, if they fail to do it and it ends up in their net it counts.

Answer 7

I live in Ottawa, but I'm a mediocre Sens fan at best because I'm not originally from here. I think that the Devils can make it a 7 game series, but I'd be surprised if they win. Ottawa is just too good a team to lose 3 straight games. They can play defense very well when they have the lead. Ottawa can come back from 2 goals down with their scoring depth and talent. Despite that fact that Emery is a very good goalie (not outstanding IMO) he brings confidence to the team. This has been lacking in previous playoff runs and I think that Ottawa is playing much better with him in net compared to previous years in the playoffs.

Something is wrong with Brodeur too. He's either playing hurt or just too tired from too many regular season games. He's getting beat high over his glove hand regularly in the playoffs and that's not the Brodeur I know. Ottawa knows this and is shooting at his left side a lot.

In summary, I think it's very unlikely that NJ can come all the way back to win.

For the sake of hockey fans everywhere it would be nice if this series was over. I can't stand to watch a whole game... such tight defense. Anaheim - Vancouver was similarly sleep inducing.

My rule change suggestion for next year: A team must score at least one goal per period or a 4 minute minor is assigned to the offending team at the start of the next period. That would give teams more incentive to push for a goal each period instead of this sit back and wait for a mistake junk. And if neither team scores at least you get to see 4-4 hockey for 4 minutes the next period.

Answer 8

NO! Devils where ranked 26th in the NHL for Goals For and that one of the biggest reasons that Lou fired Claude Julien with 3 games left in the regular season. Lou thought it would boost his offence up which is not working Elias, Gionta are playing terrible playoff hockey and the Ottawa Senators just want it more. Yes Brodeur can get a win or two by him self every now and then but with terrible offence in front of him it won't happened this year.



GO HABS GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

Answer 9

It's possible. 3 - 1 deficit comebacks have happened 20 times (2x against Snottawa). Brodeur needs to play better tonight. I think the Devils wore him out getting to the top spot in the division. He played a lot of games this year. Good Luck.

Answer 10

Well in my Opion they have a 25/75% chance. I would like to see this go into 7 games & then the Sens win it. Cause then if Buffalo won the would play eachother 4 the cup & that would be a great matchup! The devils don't have a good chance. I hope they win tonight though. GooooooooooooooSenators!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!