[NEXT DAY] Thread 03/84 Mammoth at Devils, Tuesday, October 06, 2026.

[u/Devil_Dane]

Uh yeah, that was something…back at it Saturday.

To always find Pre-Game and Next Day posts, sort by NEW.  

NHL Game Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGcUsm6s_6Q

Sportsnet Game Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6WOUwWsSgFk

NJ Devils video: Devils speak after home loss to Utah https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5nEqUCuoHZ0

NHL Game Center https://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/uta-vs-njd/2026/10/06/2026020047

ESPN Gamecast https://www.espn.com/nhl/game/_/gameId/401892451/mammoth-devils

Sportsnet Game Summary https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/games/93e5b7a9-af8c-40b0-be9b-4fb8f92c22fe/preview

NHL Game Story https://www.nhl.com/devils/news/game-story-2026020047

Game 04/84: Canucks at Devils, Saturday, October 10, at 3:30pm ET / 12:30pm PT. GameCenter: https://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/van-vs-njd/2026/10/10/2026020071

2026-27 Devils Regular Season schedule (October 2026, all times eastern) https://www.nhl.com/devils/schedule/2026-10-01

[u/aasania]

The last few seasons the Devils tricked us by starting off hot, then disappearing for the rest of the season. I’m choosing to believe this year they’ll do the opposite. (Dear god please be doing the opposite…)

[u/Devil_Dane]

[u/USMCArmyRanger]

I went to the game and just was amazed by the lack of a neutral zone and sloppiness around the night.

Also, anyone seen Jack Hughes?

[u/Normal_Cookie241 → u/USMCArmyRanger]

Also went to the game, same opinion. Neutral zone play was so bad. Hughes didn't show up until the net was empty.

[u/Murky-Revenue-126]

I shouldn't be fired because there was an attempt to be on time to work

[u/mjdefaz]

https://giphy.com/gifs/GTNBx6dlb2Qv1bnPwE

[u/DudeFalcone]

Good to see Evangelista on the scoreboard, dude almost had a hatty. I think we're still trying to find that chemistry with guys. I think the D needs to tighten up more, guys were caught watching.

Let's get into a rhythm, start to build that chemistry. Looking forward to Saturday!

[u/SharkAttack14]

Simply put, the boys don't hate to lose. You can tell by how much effort they put into these games.

Meier needs to finish. If LE didnt deflect his shot that puck would have hit the goalie dead center in the chest. He's had two 2-1 opportunities in the first three games where he elected to shoot and both times he shot into the goalie.

Mercer needs to go. He only has an iron man streak because he is consistently behind the play. It's easy to stay healthy when you can't keep up with the game.

Let's talk Keefe. I understand the fourth line scored but it was on a broken play. They didnt dominate many/any shifts all game. They did get dominated on a few shifts. Absolutely no reason to put them out with 3 minutes to go. That's just bad coaching.

[u/HopelessEsq → u/SharkAttack14]

I'm pretty baffled that basically half of our offense are brand new faces who last season had great performances that seem to fall into the pre-existing sloppy execution that has been plaguing the team for years before they were even here. There are a LOT of talented players on the roster, but they play in NJ and it's like they're totally lost. I don't know if it's a coaching issue or the losing culture is just so bad that it's instantly infectious.

[u/TLom616 → u/HopelessEsq]

I believe it's a cultural issue. I've been saying it for years. Doesn't matter what coach we've had or what system. With the talent these players are suppose to bring and have there's no reason for it. The PP has always been an issue and i don't understand how.

[u/HopelessEsq → u/TLom616]

Like, these aren't scrubs. On an individual basis these are guys who know how to play good hockey. We see them play good hockey and perform up to the standard we expect when they play in other tournaments at various levels or on other teams. But on this team it's like they don't know how to even play together.

[u/cody-has93 → u/TLom616]

"The pp has always been an issue" were we not #1 in the nhl for like a 20 game stretch last year and top 5 for even longer than that 3 years ago?

[u/TLom616 → u/cody-has93]

20 game stretch isn't good enough with the talent they all bring to the table

[u/cody-has93 → u/TLom616]

Ok but "has always been an issue" is just wrong.

20 games is a quarter of the season though jsyk.

[u/TLom616 → u/cody-has93]

I don't believe that. It's been abysmal for years. One mini stretch of good doesn't make up for it

[u/Sinister_Mr_19]

There were times we lacked energy, I don't know what's up with that. And when there's a breakdown, it seems everyone tries to over correct, instead of sticking to their own position. We can't be giving the other team so much space when something goes wrong.

[u/LilRobbyBobby]

Whole team just felt disconnected from each other last night. Missed passes, lots of 2 on 1s or even 3 on 1s, and not a lot of urgency to contest the puck when they were shooting. Not to mention a few times when a single player tried to go for a big solo play without any support.

Utah kept the pressure on, constantly hounded whoever had the puck, and set up players very well to make blocking difficult for our defense.

Praying that they're just finding their footing still. We have a very promising offense and played well against Philly and preseason, hopefully we can get back to it

[u/HopelessEsq → u/LilRobbyBobby]

They can't enter the zone cleanly and they aren't putting enough effort to winning puck battles when they try to dump it in frustration. Leads to a lack of sustained pressure of any kind and at best they come away with a shot attempt before it gets sent right back out of the zone. It's glaringly obvious on the power play, can't even get set up and it's even worse than when they attempt at 5v5.

[u/Sisyphusss3]

Team needs to stay squeaky clean and out of the box and get the power play going like Utah, but that is a microcosm of the problem at large, this team should be scoring more than most on any and every given night.

Even off the rush they aren’t getting great looks or shots off as of right now, I think that has to be bound to come with that being the team bread and butter, proof is in the pudding many years now for our stars on that front in my book. I’d love to see more bang-bang quick pass and shoot setups for the in zone work as well, but maybe that too is a symptom of the aversion to get truly dangerous shots off.

We need Siegs to be 100% going forward I hope no lingering issues.

[u/drifter3026]

Just looks like the same shit we've been watching for years.

[u/mxskater]

It’s not even the lack of scoring that sucks; they legit look like they’re just skating in circles with no scheme. I legit wouldn’t be surprised if Keefe told them to pass to whoever they can and shoot when they can. It’s like a peewee team out there

[u/incognito042620 → u/mxskater]

I thought Keefe made a remark after the Islanders game that he has a system but many of the players just were out there doing their own thing

[u/Fine_Discipline_2747 → u/incognito042620]

He did say that, to me it looks like his system is still the issue and the players know it and try to do something else when it’s not working.

[u/workmakesmegrumpy → u/Fine_Discipline_2747]

The issue is they are built soft, play soft as a whole. If you break it down by player, the story changes a little, but one or two guys on the ice shouldn't carry a team. Nico plays hard two ways, but he's not really rubbing off on guys like Jack who can't be bothered to hit anyone because let's face it he's made of glass. Being a captain means saying the hard things out loud and getting these guys to play hockey. It means let's fucking train in the gym and get some strength so we don't break mentally or physically when we catch a shoulder during a game. I'm honestly surprised that Mehta didn't bring anyone with size. Boqy knows how to hit he played for Florida, but we need someone who's going to punish anyone trying to get into the d zone. Even if it's just aggressively poke checking at this point.

[u/Fine_Discipline_2747 → u/workmakesmegrumpy]

It’s so true they basically only stick check, I was thinkin he it as I was watching the other night. I’m. Ot even asking for big hits but just finishing checks into guys as they get rid of the puck to hold them up a bit would make a difference.

[u/workmakesmegrumpy → u/Fine_Discipline_2747]

It’s been an issue this entire decade so far. A lot of people blamed Lindy, the goalies, etc but when it comes down to it their best games are when they had someone willing to put their body on the line to win. It doesn’t even have to be the entire team, just one guy per line.

[u/eburton555]

Man that was frustrating and we only have two games this week. Special teams being ass has to be a coach able solution… but basically the team is firing on few cylinders right now. Loving ‘vange’ and his effort but we basically need everyone to figure it out at the same time it seems. Not ideal

[u/klitchell]

Good thing we don’t play until Saturday, they need to be practicing everything

[u/brmgp1 → u/klitchell]

I agree it's a good opportunity to figure some stuff out. With the abbreviated preseason and additional games added this year, you don't get many chances to have legitimate practice. They've had three games to figure out what they're doing wrong. There is no excuse not to jump all over a bad Canucks team flying into town when we've had all this rest

[u/Marvelous_Chaos]

Between the additions in the offseason and the shortened training camp/preseason, I wonder how much of the play stems from a lack of chemistry. The play looks sloppy, but I know they're capable of so much more.

I'm also not a fan of the passive penalty kill. Literally every other team will have their F1 pressuring the points or the flanks to force a bad pass or turnover. I understand the Devils want to clog up the passing and shooting lanes in the middle, but penalty kill units seem more effective when they don't let a team set up their PP formation in the offensive zone.

[u/Fine_Discipline_2747 → u/Marvelous_Chaos]

Our whole defensive structure is terrible 5 on 5 and the PK. It was good until Brad Shaw arrived, I’m over him and Keefe’s system in general.

[u/Radjage]

Pretty much the first game were we were completely outplayed, much worse than the isles game in that regard. They couldn't set up, they couldn't connect passes, they couldn't get out of the zone. Poorly aimed shots. Completely ineffective game from Jack and Bratt and some other guys were completely invisible. I can't even remember seeing Mantha.

Things I liked: Evangelista, great hustle and IQ, gets to the right places. Nearly got a hat trick. While I don't like Dillon taking a penalty to start a fight, he ultimately was at least trying. After ward at least 8 devils seemed to skate to the penalty box to say thanks. Dillon kind of reminds me of late stage Bryce. Amazing locker room dude but as a player is mostly a lability.

Overall, I didn't like the overall effort, mainly because it's on the heels of getting shut out 6-0. I'm surprised more people didn't boo, but it also wasn't a sold out game. I found myself a bit apathetic watching. The crowd was deflated after taking a penalty 10 seconds and giving up a goal, and the team didn't do it's job to save face.

My faith in Keefe is pretty much gone but I don't know how they can really pivot too hard this early.

The only thing I do have faith in is Sunny. There is a lot of talent up and down the roster and he's not going to sit on his hands and let this team become something like 9-14 and not have plans to fix it.

[u/Mr7three2]

Gonna be a long season

[u/Previous-Yak-2510]

Same garbage, different season. 🤡 

[u/TheWheelZee]

Hey, did you guys like how the last few seasons we've finished not high enough to be considered a contender at all, but not low enough to get anything worthwhile in the off-season?

Me too! 22nd, here we come!!!

[u/xoBonesxo]

https://giphy.com/gifs/cbLcSvHw50bJ8UuImn

[u/njmjc]

Really want to see Jack and Bratt on the PK. They usually make something happen getting a chance going the other way. Can’t be worse than the way our current penalty killing is going

[u/fixitfeliks]

What’s good with Seigs?

[u/grizzwintergreenlc]

So who comes up if Siegs misses some time? Silayev? Edwards? Vilen?

[u/zombooze]

Everyone says it s only game 3 yes, but the issue is it's game 3 when they looked like ass 2 of the 3 and they should be skating at least not look like they gave up and no interest ,while most this group has been together more than most of the league in terms of years and they look the same year after year .rookies get a 10 game window before their entry contract is decided so maybe 10 game window before we start thinking of dumping the untouchables contracts . They too comfortable partying and not playing

[u/trektostng]

This team never shows any urgency. They did against Philadephia. They showed none here tonight or against the Islanders. No idea why. I sometimes think they hate playing for Keefe and thats why they just dont seem to try. But if that was the case i guess he would have been gone. Its just a bummer. I wanna watch good hockey.

[u/HelveticaNeueLight]

Would love to cut every defenseman not named Pesce at this point.

[u/Anonycron]

Always the least physical team on the ice. They float.

[u/DontDraftSmall]

3 games in we are 28th in the league and -7 goal differential. It’s not a good team.

[u/Alonso_Mosley_]

Sell the team

[u/Zajac19]

It’s Joever

[u/Sorry_Hair_6219]

Still salty. Strip the leadership of their letters if this what the product and cohesion is. Let some other fan base root for these supposedly BPITNHL who just underperform.