A truly disappointing start for a team with so much talent. 3-8-1 is not how any team wants to start out. Are we doomed for the rest of the year? Should we just give up now? the answer is no. We look amazing on paper, but putting it together is the key. It was pretty obvious we would have a rough start with a new system and a ton of new players.
Our defense is injury plagued, our offense had not been clicking (until recently) and we have not been playing a solid 60 minute game. Here is a mini breakdown of our team:
Positives:
-A ton of shots on goal (LA-40, Pitt-31, Col-43)
-Marty has been solid for the most part
-Offense has been clicking recently
-Smoother passing
-Penalty kill is solid
-Rookies stepping it up (Pelley, Vasyunov, Josesfon).
Negatives:
-The Power play is absolutely awful, need to capitalize.
-Lots of rookie defensemen, taking time to adjust to one another
-Injuries (Salvador, Fraser, Volchenkov, Rolston, Salmela maybe now even Parise).
-Too much passing and not enough shooting at times
-Playing fancy, don't need to always get pretty goals
-Allow less breakaways and 2 on 1 rushes.
It seems odd to put Rolston as a priority on the IR, but he has shown he can still use that nasty slap shot of his and he is a monster on the PP. The Devils need to put the puck on net more, instead of setting up "razzle-dazzle" plays. Our defense is a big issue, considering all of our big names are currently injured. Fraser, although young, was another big loss because he knew the system well and put up impressive offensive numbers.
We will get back on the winning track, hopefully sooner than later. Ignore all the Kovalchuk hate. With Parise, Zajac, Kovy, Elias and Arnott, it is hard for them to know who to give the puck to. Once they figure that out, our offense will be unstoppable.
Lets Go Devils!!!!!
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