No Goals, huh? Jusse, I'd highly recommend you re-evaluate your long term financial plans.
What a game, our boys dominated across nearly every facet of the game: Speed, possession, physicality, chances, just.. everything. One thing I will say about Nashville, aside from being an overrated city and that modern country sucks, is they really seemed old and slow. The off-season champs had no answers and it seems we dodged a bullet landing some of the big names. James Nichols tweeted after the game that the boys were "howling" in the locker room post-game.. I think we have a squad here, guys, that wants to play for each other.
Going in, I was definitely caught up in the "we haven't beaten them in a decade" nonsense. LOL. LMAO even. Of late the Devils have been heavily reliant on their special teams, and a bend but don't break D-zone posture. I loved seeing us take the game to them in 5v5, besting them 3.2 xG to less than 1 xG. less than 1! For those that don't follow or give a shit about those stats, that is pretty pretty pretty good. Every single player was over 70% in xG at 5v5, just a thorough, connected ass whooping.
There is something sometimes referred to as the 3/4 ice game - basically an indicator of control of the game. The Devils were breaking the puck out so easily, and the layers in the neutral zone really made for easy transitions. and we had dominant O-zone shifts. when you control the ice from your blue line to the offensive goal line, that is owning the 3/4 ice game.
Aside from 5v5, our PK has emerged as a stifling, dominant group. I've spoken at length about our sexy PP, but it's time to give the PK it's flowers - now a top 5 unit in Net PK% (PK + shorties). There is nothing really all that complicated systematically about a PK, it is largely predicated on concentration, heart, balls, and connectivity. That 5 minute kill will go down in Devils lore as a defining moment this season - EVERY forward got a shift and Nashville got one shot. ONE! I'd also like to shoutout BIll Spaulding's call as it wound down, I legit got goosebumps and we are really lucky to have him as the soundtrack to this season.
More about the PK - one guy I haven't given much shine to yet is Mercer, he is a top 5 forward PKer in the league across a variety of metrics on moneypuck.com (expected goals against type of numbers). Besides being a beautiful part-labrador/part-human with impeccable hair he is an absolute DOG on the PK. Multiple times he's given his stick to Pesce and been out there eating pucks up top like it's no big deal. He defines heart. He also saves the team money as it seems he hasn't activated his dental plan yet.
Nico, you handsome captain o' mine. There isn't much I wouldn't do for this man and it is clear he has taken his leadership and game to a whole new level this year. Each of his goals showed different elite capabilities, his underrated power on the first one, his incredible puck protection on the second one, and his perfect hockey IQ on the third. Goal #13 for #13 @ 13 minutes of the second. I'd highly encourage you to find "Nico Hischier Film Club" episode of the PDOCast, it was put out a few days ago and sure seems prescient now - on youtube or podcast form. He really has evolved into a dynamic power forward with a powerful stride and elite finishing ability. Suck it, Lauzon you started something with the wrong mild-mannered Swiss boy.
Once again, I am mentioning the best FA singing of 24-25 - Noesen. He made an absolutely elite, heads-up play on Nico's PP goal, feeding a between-the-legs backhand-touch-pass to him. Ho hum another ridiculous, hyper-aware assist from someone on this team. Most net-front guys just hammer away trying to force that in. Cool one solid play! But was he done? He was not - breaking up a pass then winning a board battle against 2 Preds for Nico's 3rd, and getting buried in the process all while laying a nice little pass into space. Genius singing by Fitz, I cannot say enough good things about this guy.
Another quick shout out to Dowling. His first couple of games weren't great, but he is really coming on as a solid 4C. His story is generally great, having risen up from the ECHL and largely being an AHLer. Just a nice story for him to get rewarded with that ENG.
I was on the fence about it, and it looks like he might be suspended, but fuck it - good job, Timo. Just a handsome, chiseled tower of meat standing up for himself and that dirty little bastard L'whatever was running around a bit and deserved it. Just another example of our boys playing for each other and standing up for each other.
Speaking of standing up for each other, I noticed several times that no one got near Markstrom post-whistle, and if they did a little poking and prodding they were cleared out past-haste. Another example of the connection this team is building.
I love this team, we love this team, the sun is shining again, food tastes better. Let's get greedy, fuck you St. Louis and your new coach.
