Well well how the turn tables.
Our boys needed to shake off Saturday and come out hot, and they certainly delivered, getting out in front on a nice little tuck from Bratter. He capitalized on some sloppy pinching by the Rangers and had all day to waltz in, looking off Jack (and selling Piggy Iggy on it). The first ten minutes the Devils had their legs, generating rush after rush and getting up 2 after Mercer snuck one under the pad of the $12-million dollar man.
Then Dougie got a questionable penalty (I thought he was finishing his hit) and the tide turned a bit and led to my absolute favorite sequence of the night. Pesce, Haula, and (checks notes) Bratt were just eating pucks - absolute fucking warriors. Pesce in particular took 3 Mika one-Timers in the span of 30 seconds. Truly insane behavior and in comparison, my fingers got cold yesterday so I had to come inside for some cocoa.
The next 30 minutes were all Markstrom, and frankly things could've gotten away from us if it weren't for him. I know Jack and Bratt missed breakaways, but the Rangers had several HD chances and a few posts.
Markstrom should be getting some more love from the fanbase, I really think people have forgotten just how fucking bad it was last year and probably have some residual trauma. Why? He rises to the occasion, meets the moment, and wins games. Yeah yeah he gives up one he might want back here and there but so does every goalie. I mean, did you see some of the shit the Ka-Ching King let in last night? I think people are stuck on the Kane goal against Detroit, but since then: 9-3 record, .917 SV%, and a 2.18 GAA. Also, over that stretch he has +4.36 GSAA (h/t Brandon Holmes on Twitter). Those include the lackluster team performances against Calgary and Tampa. The point is, he has been better than perceived, especially given the current state of Goalies this year where league average hovers around a .900.
OK, moving on. Nice to see Dawson get one, he has been the target of a lot of vitriol from the fanbase including myself. He went on a tear during February/March two years ago that goosed his goal numbers to 27, and otherwise has largely been a 20 goal/40 pt guy. With limited PP time and good to great PK metrics he is well worth his $4MM contract. He definitely has moments where he just needs to shoot, but still being young he will get there. As Fitz said, he sees Dawson as a long term Devil, and as the saying goes there is no better ability than availability and he has been an ironman.
Ho hum, Bratt with 4 points. Jack with 3, Luke with two (and got fucking robbed by future Av Piggy Iggy). Dougie is so back, 4 goals in his last 7 after 13 with none. The best show on Broadway last night was PB&J with a side of Rusty and Douglas Entertainment Hamilton. I absolutely love how Jack just elevates his game when the lights are brightest, he is just a fucking superstar. His regular season career against the Rangers: 23 points in 21 games, including 14 in his last nine and 7 pts in 5 games at the world's most overrated Train Station. Truly a blessing to live in the same timeline as these guys. And not to mention Luke seems to unlock something new every goddamn game, his final form is going to be somethin' else.
The new guys on the 4th line had a great game: Ozone pressure and played a simple North South lunchpail style. 85% xGF which is better than anything we have fielded since Lazar and Bastian went down. Legare in particular was noticeable, and this kid has a neck like a linebacker. Hopefully they can solidify this line, and if so Fitz/Keefe have some choices and depth finally. Speaking of depth, Fitz did an interview in the Athletic where he said his main focus is finding some more "guys" - big, versatile, C/W hybrids. In Fitz we trust.
This leads me to my favorite stat: We are now 15-0-0 when leading after two periods. You can feel the energy and vibes just off the charts for this team, but they need to stay focused and clean up some things for this upcoming homestand. Wagon season is back on Devils fans, get on board.
All in all, we may have put the nail in Rangers coffin and the meltdown is absolutely glorious to see. I can't wait to see the absolute panic nonsense they try and make happen. Oh, and final thought: Fuck You Valiquette. You absolute scrub, you ain't shit, and you ain't ever gonna amount to shit, all you do is eat and shit.
LGD
