Spoiled Valor: New Jersey Devils drop TOUCHDOWN on Washington Capitals

It's the Lockdown Podcast Network, your team every day.

Dude, where has this been like the entire season up until a few weeks ago?

Why couldn't we've been playing like this the whole time?

Your Lockdown Devils, your daily podcast on the New Jersey Devils, part of the Lockdown Podcast Network, your team every day.

Dude, what have we been doing?

You're telling me that this team could have been playing up tempo hockey and scoring goals at will.

All season long?

Like, I'm not even going to try and get it.

This is Lockdown Devils, part of the Lockdown Podcast Network, now the number one sports podcast network.

In the world, my name is Zach Berman.

Last night, the Devils dropped a touchdown on the Washington Capitals basically ending their season.

The caps needed last night and did not show up.

So, I've never really had that much animosity towards the caps, but it's always fun to, I guess, end a division rival season.

So, we'll talk about that.

We'll talk about when impressed me from yesterday because there was a lot that impressed me, but at the same time.

So, a lot that in turn has me really upset because the Devils should have been playing like this months ago.

And I don't understand what kept them from doing that.

So, I'm going to try and make sense of it all.

I've been seeing a lot of what if, what if the loser point didn't exist?

What if this, what if that, you know, the whole, the Mike Tommanism, you know, if my aunt had male part, she'd be a, she'd be an uncle, like, look.

You can play the what if game.

All season long, you can play it until you're blue in the face.

We're going to start with that.

We want to truly play the what if game because if the New Jersey Devils

had, I'm trying to figure out the right way to word it.

If the New Jersey Devils

were currently eight points out of the playoff spot,

if they had changed their system, changed their style, maybe changed their goal tending,

maybe if the NHL had a different system for the loser point because,

look, the Devils are knocking on the door of 40 wins.

Most seasons, and I'm not, I'm not sitting here making an excuse because the Devils are only in this situation

because of their own doing, but most seasons, the Devils would be in striking range to playoff spot this late in the year

if they're, if they had 39 wins, which they do.

But the Pittsburgh Penguins have less wins than the New Jersey Devils.

And because the penguins have lost 16 games in overtime in comparison to the Devils 2,

the penguins have 92 points, they're likely going to host a playoff series in the first round.

And the Devils have 80 points and their seasons effectively over.

And the excuses, they have been plentiful.

Oh, you know, if Jack Hughes was healthy, yeah, Jack Hughes was healthy, the Devils would probably be in a better situation.

But you know what?

That's on Tom Fitzgerald for not building a team that is capable of withstanding an injury prone player going,

look, Jack is going to go down every so often.

That's just who he is.

And if you can't build a team that can withstand, Jack Hughes getting hurt,

then you shouldn't be the GM at this New Jersey Devils hockey game. It's simple as that.

Oh, well, if Jacob Markstrom was a little bit better, well, who extended him?

Who brought him here?

Oh, if they had only taken a couple more games to overtime, who's fault is that?

Like, yes.

This season, this Eastern conference is crazy. We know that.

And it's not going to be like this every year.

That still doesn't mean it is acceptable. The Devils are in the spot that they're in.

Even though the circumstances have allowed less leeway than they would have in years past,

I still don't want to hear the excuses.

Devils are eight games out of a playoff spot with seven games to go for eight points.

You want to know what where those eight points are?

Flip the results of losing to Calgary, Winnipeg, and Vancouver at home.

All three of those losses were completely unacceptable. All three of them were by one goal each.

You flip those three at six points.

You were tied with the islanders late in the third period twice right before Christmas and right before the Olympic break.

And you lost both those games in regulation. You take both those games to overtime.

There's your eight points. You're in the playoffs or you're in a playoff spot right now.

I don't want to hear excuses. I don't want to hear change to the points.

Maybe they should. Maybe they should change the point system.

That doesn't mean that the Devils are suddenly exonerated from being in the position that they're in.

It is only the fault of the New Jersey Devils that they're in this position.

Not anybody else. Not the league, not the loser point.

It is the fault of the New Jersey Devils. It is the fault of Tom Fitzgerald.

It is the fault of the Shelton Keep. It is the fault of the players.

Nobody else is fault. And I know for a fact that right now.

Tom Fitzgerald is trying to convince ownership of the exact things that you're seeing.

Fans of this team.

Say.

Well, if the loser point didn't exist, we'd be in a playoff spot.

Well, if Jack Kews didn't cut his hand, he would be in a playoff spot.

Well, if Jacob Markström didn't stink, we'd be in a playoff spot.

Those are all excuses. And I am not in the business of promoting excuses.

I was raised to hammer home accountability. That's where my that's what my family raised me on.

And the lack of accountability is driving me bananas.

You're not in this spot by accident.

Go back to the drawing board. Figure it out next year.

Okay.

With a new GM and a new head coach.

We can play the what if game all we want.

And I'm seeing fans of other teams play the what if game to.

Yes, the Eastern conferences crazy this year. I get it.

That.

I don't know, man. I just.

No excuses. No freaking excuses, man.

They are in this spot for a reason this did not happen by accident.

Okay, peach, posh, push.

All right.

I don't know why it took them this long to change the system.

I really don't. I like.

I'm trying to make sense of it.

But I can.

And we'll talk about that after the break.

Next unlocked on devils.

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So what I don't understand and I'm at some point over the course this weekend going to put out a.

What do you call it? A margin review because I've been meaning to do that for a while.

Since those first two games after the Olympic break, the devils have been really, really, really solid in terms of.

Just putting the puck in the back of the net and playing perhaps the style of play that they have been lacking.

The style of play that when you employ a guy such as Jack used just for Brad Nico, he sure you should be playing.

And it just.

I want to make sense because.

They're going to be changes made. I have heard things I'm going to keep them on lock and key right now that there.

But I have heard things that needless to say of that if things play out the way that I have been told they might.

We are going to be very happy.

I don't want to jinx anything. I don't want to spoil anything. If something goes wrong or something changes, I don't want it.

I don't want to be like being like, you know, oh, I don't, I also was told to keep things on the deal.

Needless to say, there is change coming. Hopefully.

But have the New Jersey devils.

Not decided to play big mean dungeon hockey.

The Olympic break.

That's the biggest what if you would be looking at a team in a completely different situation than they currently are.

And that is where I just lose my mind.

I know that teams.

I know that the devils have needed to be I guess tougher or.

Or so on or so forth.

But what I don't think Tom Fitzgerald miss really understood is that mental toughness and physical toughness are not.

One does not necessarily and I think a lot of people in this fan base could stand to learn this.

One does not necessarily have to come with the other.

Like I've seen so many. Oh, the devils need to get bigger and meaner and whatnot.

Oh, no, man.

Connor McDavid is not like the biggest meanest dog in the street.

But he's damn good.

I think.

I think people are just.

A hungry for the style that Lamarellos teams played and.

I don't I don't think people necessarily understand that.

You're not going to get that anymore.

This team the way they are built.

They are not built to succeed like playing Florida Panthers hockey.

Like that's just not who the devils are.

And they can still win.

Which I think a lot of people don't understand by playing up tempo fast hockey they can.

They absolutely can.

And somewhere along the lines that was lost.

Because now you look at.

This recent stretch of devils hockey.

Where the devils have scored.

Six.

Now last night said.

Sorry guys, you didn't have to see that.

Let's start on Tuesday March 3rd five goals four goals six goals.

And get shut out by Detroit four goals against Calgary six goals against L.A.

Four goals against Boston six goals against the Ranger six goals against Dallas four goals against.

Nashville five against Chicago and now seven.

Against Washington and we'll talk about these games in.

More explicit detail.

In my end of the month recap.

But I almost think that the devils were like unaware of how far out they were.

And that this we should we could change the style of play and we can maybe make the playoffs like.

It kind of seems like a two little two late sort of thing.

And I'm still very much of the belief that.

Tom Fitzgerald was telling Sheldon Keith what system to run and.

That was resulting in.

This just absolutely brutal dungeon hockey style of play like.

I want to go back to January because January was kind of the peak of it.

And keep in mind they had.

They had to use was the 100% for this run perhaps not but.

They had Jack for these games.

One goal against Pittsburgh.

One goal against Carolina twice.

I mean that I don't think it matters what style of play the devils are playing.

They're going to lose to Carolina and only score one or two goals max.

Two goals against Calgary two goals against Edmonton two goals against Seattle.

One goal against Ottawa shut out by Columbus one goal against the islanders.

Shut out by the Maple Leafs right before New Year's.

Like what at what point did Fitzgerald realize hey we should maybe change things and see what the worst that could happen I.

I just I can't understand.

The logic behind the devils being so intent on playing this style of hockey that is that was so.

Otterly counterintuitive to what.

It just makes no sense to me.

And I think everybody who covers this team in any way shape or form.

Would probably agree.

I think we all just want to know why.

The charade was allowed to go on for as long as it did.

Because it's no longer I mean hopefully none of these people that are making these decisions are around for next season so like I'd say it's about next season but like is it.

It just leaves me with a lot of confusion.

Like you have a team with Hughes Brad other you like Jack and Luke.

Nico just for Brad Dougie Hamilton team on fire like you have all these guys who were brought in.

And have succeeded in the past.

I'm saying this up tempo style of rush hockey this team has succeeded playing up tempo rush hockey.

Why did we feel the need to switch away from that and it was winning them games.

That's the biggest what if.

What if the devils didn't feel the need to switch their style of hockey.

To combat the Florida Panthers who by the way.

Also.

Kind of succeeded playing up tempo hockey.

Yeah the Panthers are big and mean.

But the Panthers also are analytically savvy I think a lot of people don't understand that.

What.

Tom Fitzgerald and a lot of people.

That route for the New Jersey Devils think.

Winning hockey is versus what it actually is or two very different things and that is concerning that the GM for the longest time.

I felt that way.

Because the devils for the longest time you got to remember.

Washington at home has not necessarily been the kindest matchup to the New Jersey Devils.

So for the devils to not only beat the caps at home but score seven on them that's a statement.

Even if it's this late in the year it is a statement and we'll talk about that statement on the other side of the break next unlocked on devils.

All right devils win seven three over the washing capitals team that the devils have struggled against.

Especially at home.

When was the last time the devils beat the caps at home it wasn't last year.

I don't think it was the year prior either.

I think it was twenty two twenty three that's crazy.

But the caps could have been one point out of a playoff spot had they won last night and the New Jersey Devils said about that.

No sir.

But how did it happen?

How did the devils reach their season high in goals scored on national television.

Jack had five points.

Like I have been mister no excuses but like God I wish we could have seen what a healthy Jack use could have looked like all year.

Because that breaks my heart.

The New Jersey Devils got off to a hot start last night which I know the meme is I don't want nothing them.

But like I feel like there have been more games than not where the devils have come out hot.

Recently I think it just has to do with the change of change in a pace of play.

And this is a weird game because the devils actually got out shot yesterday thirty two to thirty but they did save their best period for last will get to that in.

Do time when the third period comes along.

So I am trying to.

Why am I drawing a bunch who was in net for the capitals last night because it was not.

And Thompson it was.

Wasn't Logan Thompson no no shot it was Logan Thompson.

Like there's no way it could have been Logan Thompson because.

Logan Thompson is not giving up that many goals right right.

Like I refuse to believe that Logan Thompson gave up that many goals.

He totally gave up six goals.

Wow.

Devils put up six on.

One of the.

Perhaps feds and the finalists and that's crazy.

Five minutes and change into the first period.

Pretty passing play between Nick Buick's dad.

Johnny hominahoe and finished off by agent Cody glass on the rush.

Bottom six.

Putting together.

Nice little passing play here.

Glass was left wide open in the slot.

He beats Thompson believe it or not.

Who go leave the devils like two weeks ago.

Make it one nothing new wave of Jersey.

About two minutes and change later.

I'm team on Meyer a beautiful pass into the middle.

Dawson Mercer his initial shot stopped.

He follows up his own rebound.

Back hands at past Thompson do nothing devils and the lives are good.

But how do you kill the vibes instantly.

You be the New Jersey devils because.

Almost immediately later they haven't even announced.

Mercers go over the PA system.

A horrible pinch by like.

Four different devils.

I'm looking at the play right now.

Nemech, Keesher, Meyer and Dylan are all crunched along the right side of the boards.

Leaving co-huts in all alone.

Almost a two man break.

Hudson beats Alan scores his first goal.

Against an NHL goalie.

Of course his first two goals come against the devils of course they have.

And it's two to one and.

Nobody blows a two goalie in the first period quite like the New Jersey devils right.

On the power play right after after a bad penalty by Brendan Dylan.

Remember when Brendan Dylan was like awesome for the first two months of the year.

And then he got jumped by the jackets in his 1000th game and it's just been like.

Absolutely garbage since then.

Du Bois left all alone in front of the net.

On the power play from Leonard and checker and game tied at two.

But.

It's always been a bug a boo the devils to give up late goals and periods.

And this time they do it to their opponent.

Duggy Hamilton who.

We haven't seen enough of the bomb but there's the bomb.

From.

Top of the point.

85 miles an hour off the stick.

And the last six past Thompson from Jack and Jesper three to two.

The devils would take that lead into the break.

They'd actually get out shot nine eight in this first period.

Second period.

The devils would not have the best period.

They'd be out shot 14 nine Jake Allen would stand tall the lone goal.

Would come from the man who is throwing out the first pitch at Yankee Stadium today as a Yankee fan.

That makes me so unbelievably happy.

Courageous stretch pass by.

So set up a two on one.

Jesper Bratt finds Jack Hughes.

Jack beats Thompson.

Stick side of beauty.

23rd of the year make it four to two.

And then the third period would begin.

Cue the onslaught.

Jack again.

This was a sick play.

Brown to Jesper right back to Jack and he stuffs at home.

His second of the game is fourth point of the game.

His third point became.

He would get that fourth point.

Make it five to devils would concede one more.

The boogie man for like several teams in this division.

Tom Wilson is 28 year.

What a season for Tom Wilson left all alone.

Bad pinch by Luke Hughes on that one.

That's what I'm going to say.

I'm going to say three.

The devils would just pour it on from there on out.

Because on the power play Jesper Bratt would pot his 20th of the year.

Wonder how this season would have gone if he wasn't like completely snake bitten for.

Like 80% of the year.

One timer from Nico and Jack from the right dot.

Make it six three.

There's your touchdown.

And then the extra point would be good off the stick of Dawson Mercer.

His second of the game on the empty net.

Big night for the PB and J combo.

I guess you can call it as such still.

Devils would get their 39th win of the year.

And yet they're still almost eight points out of a spot.

Crazy.

Absolutely crazy.

And they only have themselves to play for it.

Not the system.

Only themselves.

So where does that leave us.

Home and home tomorrow and Sunday night.

With the Montreal Canadians.

Saturday at the rock Sunday at the Bell Center.

So bum this their only trip to Montreal this like granted.

I am like out in Montana right now.

So getting to Montreal is not exactly the easiest but like.

Damn, I would love to go one of these days.

I will get up there.

That is so high on the bucket list.

And to see the devils play there.

Like bucket list and then some.

We'll get there.

Zach will definitely get there.

Could cocafield scores 50 of the year.

The devils have one like nine straight Montreal.

I don't know if that's going to stick.

Devils only.

Match up against the Habs.

I was there.

Remember when the vibes were good.

Type a game late in the third one at no T.

Was back in like November that feels like three years ago.

They have seven games left.

I don't know what the tragic number is yet.

I can't believe we're talking about the tragic number already.

Oh, it makes me want to throw up.

But that's where we are right now.

Sometime today or maybe tomorrow.

Preview the first Habs game.

We'll do that.

Month in review because that has been very long overdue from yours truly.

We'll talk every single game.

We'll talk the trade deadline and.

I keep like I hinted at earlier.

I can only speak so much on.

What I have been told regarding.

Some people's futures.

But I think we want to be keeping an eye on the Nashville predators.

I will leave it at that.

I think it's because that might be.

Our ticket.

Out of this.

Endless stretch of futility.

Keep it my fingers crossed that the preds do what.

I am hoping and praying they might do.

And that might.

Change our fate.

Maybe.

Maybe not.

Who knows.

I am hoping.

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As always, let's go devils.

Here Tom fits Gerald or, let's hope he gets poached, perhaps, wink, wink, nudge, nudge.

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