Things are pretty bleak in Devils-Land, but good thing I have some crisis PR experience, because you, dear readers, are about to get a one-way ticket to the spin zone. Or are we doomed? I'm writing this on the fly, so let's find out.
I was actually encouraged through most of that game against Vegas. Unfortunately, we had a back-to-back with travel to one of the toughest buildings to play in, against one of the best teams in the league. This game was ticketed for a blowout, but we were right there through 2 periods. Vegas does a uniquely incredible job of collapsing in front and limiting inner slot shots, and while the first was a grind to get inside, they broke through in the second with several good opportunities. However, we didn't finish... again. It shouldn't be surprising at this point, and that positive regression isn't coming most likely - we will need about 17 years to dig out of the xG differential.
Otherwise the game was pretty low event. We gave up two PP goals, one on a double doink deflection and one on a screened point shot. Side Note - Mark Strone's stick knob is ridiculous. Kinda hard to shit on marky there for that one since he didn't see it. Cotter got robbed, Jack whiffed, Palat missed a few, Dillon missed a few. We were there. The other interesting thing is we were right there with a pretty bad game from both Bratt and Jack. That was probably the worst game I've seen Bratt play in years, and Jack was forcing things again and took a bad penalty. Nico-Timo-Mercer is a very good line, they played hard and were playing with some intensity and physicality. The 4th line was good. The 3rd line was awful. Luke-Dougie was great, Nemec looked waaaayyy better. Markstrom was great, and did more than enough to keep them in the game.
The elephant in the room is Jack's injury. Obviously losing him for any extended time is devastating and if you think otherwise, or are somehow planning his trade, get the fuck outta the fanbase.
Fitz has some issues to work through, more than he had before. There are some names out there, and the calculus of Jack's injury complicates things. Selling isn't the right way, there should be ways to re-tool the bottom six on the fly for the season and the future. There are tons of bottom six players on the market that can be upgrades, and if Jack needs LTIR, that opens a world of possibilities for bigger pieces. Guys like Tuch, Cozens, Kyrou seem like they could be had. Just need this GM to pull the trigger. You can even build now for an eye on next season but the fact of the matter is we have the goaltending and D Corps that wins championships. That hasn't changed.
Get the prayer circles ready for news on Jack. things are bleak, but they can't pack it in, but Dallas and Winnipeg are an absolute gauntlet to get through like this.
Time to rally and for some guys to step up. Including you Fitz.
We all know the real culprit here is Valiquette.
LGD
