NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs Opening Night Review & What The NJ Devils Should Have Learned Tonight!

My beloved New Jersey Devils unfortunately did not qualify for the 2024 NHL Playoffs.
It was an extremely painful season for us NJ Devils fans.
That will not prevent me from watching the best 2 months in all of sports...
The Stanley Cup Playoffs!
Opening Night delivered! I discuss the insane Boston Bruins vs. Toronto Maple Leafs game, and what this should have taught the NJ Devils.
Let me know your thoughts in the comments.
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#nhl #nhlplayoffs #stanleycup #stanleycupplayoffs #newjerseydevils #njdevils #devils #hockey #playoffs #njdevilspodcast #newjerseydevilspodcast #bostonbruins #torontomapleleafs #bruins #mapleleafs #playoffhockey

[@RiotnRespect]

I look at Boston man, and I can’t help but to admire how they’ve been built over the years and how they are still hanging around even when everyone thought they’d be done last offseason. There are some TRUE professionals on that team that simply know how to get things done. Our players could learn a thing or two from some of them.

[@runninwiththedevils]

@RiotnRespect they’re done things right for years…and have/are reaping the benefits of it. I hate the guy, but Marchand is a winner. I hope the whole organization was watching tonight.

[@TravelinDevil76]

40 hits I believe total in the Canes/Islanders game, 48 total in the 1st period during the Bruins/Leafs game. lol The game ended with a little over 100 hits total.

[@runninwiththedevils]

@TravelinDevil76 PLAYOFF. HOCKEY. Fitz better be taking notes.

[@TravelinDevil76]

Sweet jersey. I’ve been looking for one similar to those for a couple years now. In White.

[@runninwiththedevils]

@TravelinDevil76 Thanks! One of my favorites.

[@GemCardCollecting]

I think we have a lot of lessons to learn from this season. One thing I truly believe tho, is we don’t need to make crazy changes. A new coach, elite goaltender and dougie Hamilton back healthy… we are 100% a top 5 team. We have a ridiculous power play when dougie is the quarter back of it. I’m looking forward to next season. Hope our players work hard this off season and enjoy the time they get with their families. Come back with full focus on a Stanley cup.

[@runninwiththedevils]

@GemCardCollecting I am not sure exactly how you would define "crazy changes", but the team as constructed is not built got playoff hockey. They are not a top 5 team unless they add some physical pieces. Tonight showed what you need

[@jamesisrael4294]

The Knicks are keeping me alive

[@runninwiththedevils]

@jamesisrael4294 my interest in the NBA died when the Nets left NJ. I’ll watch a few minutes here and there of playoffs

[@danrube7174]

I was actually at the game sitting near one of the goals. The amount of physicality and checking was much higher than I saw at regular season Devils games.

[@runninwiththedevils]

@danrube7174 Not even the same stratosphere, this was a war

[@danrube7174]

Yes war is right. It sounded like cannons and thunder.

[@runninwiththedevils]

@danrube7174 I look forward to the rest of the series

[@headsuphockeypodcast2707]

I created Sasquatch Analytics on top of the scouting reports of a player. Here’s my formula Sasquatch-Alytics Hits+Blocked shots+ Points= Sasquatch 2Way Score Hits+Blocked shots+takeaways- giveaways= Sasquatch Isolated Defense Hits+Blocked shots+Takeaways+points- giveaways= Sasquatch Counterattack Points

[@runninwiththedevils]

@headsuphockeypodcast2707 Hits and blocked shots are the two must undervalued/underappreciated stats in the game.

[@stikfigzz]

Hate to say it, but after watching that first period, if the Devils were playing, you'd think the Prudential Center was in Gotham, Kurtis would become Batman, and we'd be seeing a lot more Bastian photos floating around.

[@runninwiththedevils]

@stikfigzz We would have been shellshocked and run out of the building. What an insane period.

[@jeffa.7618]

Fitz definitely knows they need toughness. He's asked everyone to take lifting seriously over the summer for a reason, but it's definitely going to take more than that to go deep. I hope we start to acquire the right missing pieces. And I also miss 1v8. If you're the second and third best teams in the conference you shouldn't be forced to play each other 1st rd just for the sake of a force-fed division rival matchup.

[@runninwiththedevils]

@jeffa.7618 He knows the current roster needs to get tougher, but does he realize that he must BRING IN TOUGHNESS?!? I certainly hope so. We need much more than just a slightly bigger/stronger version of the team we currently have. WE NEED JUNKYARD DOGS! We need...BRADY TKACHUK! He would be absolutely electric in the playoffs. We can only hope Fitz gets to work this summer and gets us some pieces we desperately need. 1v8 is THE WAY it should be done. I hope we one day see a return to it...

[@jeffa.7618]

@@runninwiththedevils fully agree, and I hope he does. The problem is we need like four of them lol. Idk if that can happen in just one summer, and guys can only add so much weight in 6 months. But they definitely have to start heading that direction NOW.

[@runninwiththedevils]

@jeffa.7618 I would be ecstatic with 2 up front, and 2 on the blueline. I will be coming out with my Free Agency Shopping Wishlist video soon! I have a ton of guys I would love to see brought in....all we need is SOME of them

[@973Luca973]

A lot of former Jersey Devils in playoffs..even Mr Palameri in Islanders everyone should recognize him as a former devil.

[@runninwiththedevils]

@973Luca973 in my Patty Maroon induced excitement I totally forgot about Palmieri! My apologies to Palms!

[@thenelson4108]

Random thought: How bout Tom Wilson for some grit if Brady isnt avaiable

[@runninwiththedevils]

@thenelson4108 I always liked Tom Wilson. However, he is not in the same stratosphere as Brady. He also makes WAYYYY too much money for what he brings. ($6.5M cap hit) Brady is a top line player that plays a lot of minutes, scores a ton of points, will outhit everyone in the rink, AND drop the gloves if he needs to.

[@donellweaver5722]

I totally agree with u sir the NHL needs to go back to 1 vs 8 Playoff format it was better that way. 1 vs 8, 2 vs 7. 3 vs 6, 4 vs 5 this Playoff Format the NHL has got now never liked it never why they changed it the 1 vs 8 is the better Playoff Format at least u know who's playing who this Playoff Format sucks.

[@runninwiththedevils]

@donellweaver5722 Yup, the old format was better for sure.

[@stikfigzz]

Now hear me out... April 18, 2023: NJD 1 - 5 NYR April 20, 2023: NJD 1 - 5 NYR April 20, 2024: TOR 1 - 5 BOS Maple Leafs are breaking past round 1 TWO years in a row. We're witnessing history here people.

[@runninwiththedevils]

@stikfigzz haha, Leafs are out in Round 1

[@Troyski155]

Debrincat is a UFA. He'd be a nice fit.

[@runninwiththedevils]

@troytereck7707 hard pass on DeBrincat. The last thing we need is another undersized speedster. We need some hulking guys. BRADY TKACHUK is perfect!!

[@Troyski155]

Sorry, I meant Debrusk. I always get those two names mixed up.

[@jamesmikelskasjr.64]

I think I’m going to route for Vancouver and Edmonton in west and Florida and I guess Toronto but I’m still in sure I don’t really like anyone in the east

[@anthonymarshall7301]

I have the Oilers over the Bruins in the finals, mostly bc I'd like to see Mcdavid and Henrique get a cup. Being honest though, there are a lot of better, more complete teams than Edmonton.

[@runninwiththedevils]

@anthonymarshall7301 that’s why they play the games! You never know what’s gonna happen. The B’s obviously looked great tonight.

[@jamesisrael4294]

I think the panthers go out early opposite of last season they came in hot

[@runninwiththedevils]

@jamesisrael4294 I think Tkachuk brings them at least Conference Finals, I have them going to the Cup in my bracket

[@jamesvalenti9288]

I just saw the highlights to both games. Yeah our current Devils would have been smacked all over that ice. We definitely did not deserve to make it this year. Look at Mathew Thachuck....last year, he played with a broken sternum..he couldn't put his pads on himself. He needed someone to help him. That is the epitome of showing heart. I would like to see either the Panthers, Bruins, or Oilers win the cup this year. Panthers never won a cup, and I think they are definitely playing like they should win one. I hate NYC, and root for Boston any time I can. And the Oilers, well...they have Adam Henrique. I would like to see him win a cup too. Should be an interesting playoff series.

[@runninwiththedevils]

@jamesvalenti9288 The first period was complete bedlam. A beautiful thing to watch. Matthew Tkachuk and his brother Brady are complete animals. They are throwback players that simply do not exist in today's NHL. We need to get Brady. I am rooting for Henrique and the Oilers to win. If they get eliminated I would have to think hard about who I would root for after that.

[@973Luca973]

In a way it's better we are not in the playoffs. 40+ hits in one period? We struggle to deliver 12 per game. It would be a meat grind and possibly a first round sweep. I hope Fitz gets the point and get Brady in ASAP. Saros would be a dream but could settle with Markstrom. Looks like he had it with flames mgm.

[@runninwiththedevils]

@973Luca973 For me making the playoffs is always better than not making it. With that being said, watching these games so far...we would have been pounded into the ice and left for dead. Brady is my #1 want in life. He would help in so many areas. Markstrom definitely wants out. Supposedly a few other teams may be in on him. Especially when some guys inevitably sh!t the bed in the playoffs....at this juncture I do not want to trade a lot to get Markstrom. I was willing to midseason when the hope of the playoffs was still alive. Now that we are beyond that, what I would be willing to give Calgary is FAR LESS than what I would have been willing to part with a few months ago.

[@jayviation7879]

I have florida winning but i want the nucks to win and i think Bruins will probably end up getting it

[@runninwiththedevils]

@jayviation7879 Bruins looked good but it's 1 game. Lots of hockey ahead!

[@jamesmikelskasjr.64]

And yes I hope Brady Tkachuk

[@runninwiththedevils]

@jamesmikelskasjr.64 Brady Tkachuk is exactly what this team needs

[@jamesmikelskasjr.64]

What do you think about Bill Spaulding as our announcer just curious you don’t have to answer because I understand your situation not wanting to say something that could be taken out of context. But me personally I miss Gary Thorne , doc of course and Steve Cangelosi. Not saying Bill isn’t good but not for our team . Sorry Bill I’m sure you are a great person but if there wasn’t a delay in the radio I would turn down the tv and listen to Matt and Chico who I always loved

[@runninwiththedevils]

@jamesmikelskasjr.64 He is new, it will take him some time to improve. Doc and Gary Thorne are legends. Two of the best to ever do it. Nobody will be that good ever again. I do enjoy the Matt and Chico postgame banter. I listen on my way home from The Rock.

[@ITS_ABOUT_HOCKEY]

Maroon was a Devil for like 5 minutes lol. Unless Brady demands a trade, the Sens aren’t going to move him. The fans are already on edge with their team and sending away their captain would start riots lol.

[@runninwiththedevils]

@ITS_ABOUT_HOCKEY Sometimes teams need a shake up. Brady clearly isn't happy there, and the Devils could offer a nice package. While it is a longshot, I do not think it is nearly as far fetched as Sens fans way to believe.

[@jonathanyi2330]

We have the most gen z team ever. Anyway we can get Trouba?

[@runninwiththedevils]

@jonathanyi2330 I don't want him. There are some great defensemen that will be available this summer. My wishlist video will be coming out soon

[@jamesmikelskasjr.64]

Maybe we needed to miss the playoffs to get the people we need for playoff runs. Yes I’m not happy at all we missed it but maybe there is a silver lining

[@runninwiththedevils]

@jamesmikelskasjr.64 We didn't need to miss the playoffs to improve the team. With that being said, I hope the ENTIRE organization is watching some of these games. It should be a wakeup call to everyone. Playoff Hockey is a DIFFERENT beast. These games are intense and without physicality in the lineup, you will be battered and bounced from the playoffs.

[@jimgoodyear6756]

This team with Nico, Bratt and Hughes gets crushed in the playoffs even with Brady.

[@runninwiththedevils]

@jimgoodyear6756 They all have to get a little bigger/stronger in the offseason. With Brady and another guy or two that can play a physical game, this lineup starts to take shape. He will make the entire team physically and mentally stronger. The Brady effect...

[@jimgoodyear6756]

@@runninwiththedevils 8 million for Brady, 6 million for Markstrom. Leaves enough money to have 6 Noseks play the bottom 6 and 6 Smiths to play on defense lol.

[@runninwiththedevils]

@jimgoodyear6756 I am over Markstrom for the most part. I would take him, however I have my eyes on some other guys

[@bted]

Wait, so you disparage the "speed and skill" game but you pick Edmonton to win the Cup? If there's such a thing as a speed and skill team they're it. How about Colorado? How did that team ever win a Cup two years ago? Impossible.

[@sst6601]

your comments get dumber and dumber. Look at the size of the Edmonton players. Everyone 190lb at least with most of the players over 200. Colorado!? Look at the size of their core players that got them the Cup. Nichushkin, Rantanen, MacKinnon, Landeskog. Plus Burakovsky. All over 200lb. Plus Makar 190. Colorado was and still is a big team, much heavier the the Devils. What are you even talking about?! Another 🤡 comment from you. Lmao

[@runninwiththedevils]

@bted I don’t disparage it, but it takes more than that to win

[@bted]

@@runninwiththedevils Don't get me wrong, I agree they needed to get physically tougher this year, at least they had to prove that they won't get pushed around. Too many teams were taking a run at Luke Hughes or Hischier. All year. And I think teams saw that Carolina really outmuscled them in the playoffs. Getting McDermid was a huge help. It changed their attitude. I don't know if Timo would have fought Anders Lee earlier in the year. Questioning their fundamental toughness is what bothers me. I wouldn't call it a fight but Jack did go back at Aho in that playoff series. He had to. And even though that series was lopsided, the last game was pretty even and went to overtime. Playing playoff-type hockey is its own learning curve.

[@sst6601]

@@bted dont get me wrong, dont get me wrong. Stop posting stupid comments and you wont get wrong. Lmao

[@runninwiththedevils]

@bted MacDermid is one piece of what is needed. He is a true heavyweight who can take on anyone in the league. We need tougher "regular" players throughout the lineup. Even a guy like McLeod. He was one of the toughest guys on the team before he was banished. Their fundamental toughness IS NON EXISTENT. You are referring to an isolating incident where Jack had a wrestling match with Aho. Sure, once in awhile we will see things like this from the current group. However, they regularly get pounded on, and if we were playing in last night's game it would have been an embarrassment. They would have been absolutely STEAMROLLED. The current roster as constructed IS NOT capable of playing in a game like that. We need a few dogs in the lineup

[@Dirks_NUMA_Files]

That Bruins/Leafs game was the game to have non-hockey fans watch to get them into the game. What a intense hard hitting game. Jack Hughes would be nothing but a bloody smear mark on the ice if that was the Devils in that game. One of the good things I'm taking from this game is that Swayman was in net. This is just another indication that Ullmark could be available this off season. Those two pieces alone (Ullmark and Tkachuk) would completely change the look of the Devils going into the 24/25 season.

[@runninwiththedevils]

@Dirks_NUMA_Files Right?!? As soon as the puck dropped the intensity was off the charts. Jack would have been battered in a game like that. I hope the entire team took notice. It is inevitable that the B's move on from Ullmark at some point; the question is when. A real goalie and Tkachuk would be an AMAZING start to the offseason; we would still need a few other pieces. I hope Fitzgerald took some notes last night.

[@bted]

Kinda tired of people questioning Jack Hughes. He played hurt half the year and still put up points. He's showed good signs of going back at people when he had to, especially before McDermid got here. He went back at Aho in the playoffs. Wiped out 6'4" Mo Seider on a hit. Went at that guy on the Ducks pretty good lol. Average fan sitting on a couch eating donuts questioning his toughness is pretty lame.

[@runninwiththedevils]

@bted Ted, tell me you know nothing about hockey without telling me you know nothing about hockey. NOBODY ON PLANET EARTH WOULD CATEGORIZE JACK HUGHES AS "TOUGH". NOBODY! You are pointing out a few isolated incidents over a timespan of a year. You can be tired of it all you want. The reality is, Jack needs to get MUCH tougher. MUCH! He has played *5* seasons in the NHL, and has played *306* total games. That is an average of 61.2 games per year. A far cry from the full 82. The reality is the reality. I love Jack, but this has been a problem his whole career thus far.

[@bted]

@@runninwiththedevils I didn't say he was "tough." He also isn't "soft." He probably could use some more weight room time, sure, but he isn't going to get a lot bigger. He just isn't a big guy. That said - it shouldn't matter. He's EXACTLY the same size as Patrick Kane.

[@Dirks_NUMA_Files]

@@bted I'm not anyone here is saying Jack isn't a good player or that he lacks heart. I think its safe to say we all love the guy but he needs to get bigger. This season it showed more then ever with the amount of time on the IL and the number of times he has given up or been robbed of the puck this season. The league has caught up to his style of play and unless he does something about it or the Devils can get players to defend him, this is about as far as he will grow as a player. I believe he has the ability to be so much more and its time for him to figure that out and take that step.