Josh Biringer: G1 Review: Hughes Shines in Sloppy Win

This seems similar to last season, I can probably count on one hand how many compete games they had. They’re just so skilled that they’re able to turn it on and earn a W but if they competed for an entire game they could really show the league that they’re here to win now.

I was surprised by the slow start and how it looked like they didn't have energy to match and if it wasn't for Hughes and vitek game would have been another story

Didn't see much offensively from nicos line other than a couple chances but seemed quiet

The PK seemed to struggle

Jack almost tied his penalty mins from last season in game 1

If devils play like that defensively against strong teams it will become an issue

I thought palat had a strong game especially getting the penalty late which should have sealed it

And siegs is the points leader for the devil's with 3, who would have thought

Love the content. Keep it coming! Nice to have a good Devils blogger. Best since Todd. Feel bad for the other fanbases that don’t have a good rep on here.

This seems similar to last season, I can probably count on one hand how many compete games they had. They’re just so skilled that they’re able to turn it on and earn a W but if they competed for an entire game they could really show the league that they’re here to win now.
- shvingter88

Devils, oddly enough, feel like they haven’t had a solid defensive staff and structure in so long. If they fix that, things will look a lot better. The offense is there. The defense….sometimes it’s barely existent for majority of the 60 mins.

Thanks for that Josh

Devils, oddly enough, feel like they haven’t had a solid defensive staff and structure in so long. If they fix that, things will look a lot better. The offense is there. The defense….sometimes it’s barely existent for majority of the 60 mins.
- FLdevilsFAN

It is good for the most part that our offense gives us a chance most nights and sometimes a more defensive structure can take away some offense and creativity, and at the beginning of the season it's ok to do what brings wins but down the stretch defense will be more important as teams tighten up

It's game 1 so not worried and seemed that a lot of it had to do with energy levels that weren't quite there but will improve

Puck drop is 7PM tonight, not 7:30. Hopefully the team knows that. I'm expecting some lineup changes, Miller in for Smith and either Bastian(depending in how he's feeling) or Tierney in for Lazar, plus Schmid in net. Doubt they run the same lineup back to back, absolutely no reason to. Hopefully they show up on time tonight.

Two things come to mind after this game :

1 - Jack Hughes is one of the premier players in the league, and NJ should be thankful that they had the lottery luck to draft him.

2 - Other than Jack Hughes, NJ looked.nothing like the Cup contenders I expected to see. Detroit was the better team for about 60% of the game, could easily have won, and can take away more positives from the game than Jersey can.

was just the first game. we have some expectations this year finally. good to see yall again.

Was really surprised on how we started that game. The rock was rocking, opening night, and all the hype and eyes one you, and we just poop the bed. Easily could've been 4-0 end of 1. Not sure how you don't get up for opening night at home.

Power play looked lost. Barely noticed Nico's line at all. Hopefully this is all just figuring it out. Reminded me of how everyone was saying the Rangers had all this skill, but played as a collection of stars and not as a team

Was really surprised on how we started that game. The rock was rocking, opening night, and all the hype and eyes one you, and we just poop the bed. Easily could've been 4-0 end of 1. Not sure how you don't get up for opening night at home.

Power play looked lost. Barely noticed Nico's line at all. Hopefully this is all just figuring it out. Reminded me of how everyone was saying the Rangers had all this skill, but played as a collection of stars and not as a team
- Devils91

i noticed the fourth line more than Nicos line

i noticed the fourth line more than Nicos line
- devils2929

Yea, Nicos line was by far our worst line. Our 4th line kinda cooked, shot attempts were 11-2 us and scoring chances were 6-0 us with them on the ice.

I'd really like to see them switch back to Holtz with Nico and put Mercer on the 3rd line and just give it a look for a few games. Holtz was solid last night, and Mercer was arguably our worst forward.

As for tonight's game

I hope they have their feet under them and that they realize they have to play better

I expect better games from nico, bratt, mercer and lesser extent Meier

I don't think there will be any line up changes other than schmid

It is a game the devil's should win, I do think the yotes being their first game may come in with energy so devil's need to at least match


I just realized that the isles still haven't played a game yet, odd that takes day 5 of an NHL season before you play first game

Guys, its Gm1. Stop sweating. we also WON. Calm down.

Not Devils-related, but game related. I'm very excited to watch Logan Cooley's NHL debut tonight. Coyotes seem like a super fun young team, and i think they could be decent this year if Vejmelka can put up a league average season.

They have a solid forward group, but boy oh boy we should be able to feast on their defense.

As for tonight's game

I hope they have their feet under them and that they realize they have to play better

I expect better games from nico, bratt, mercer and lesser extent Meier

I don't think there will be any line up changes other than schmid

It is a game the devil's should win, I do think the yotes being their first game may come in with energy so devil's need to at least match


I just realized that the isles still haven't played a game yet, odd that takes day 5 of an NHL season before you play first game
- dmarsden2988

Anaheim plays their first game the same night that the Islanders play their first game.

We started out slow the first few games last season and things turned out pretty swell.

Yea, Nicos line was by far our worst line. Our 4th line kinda cooked, shot attempts were 11-2 us and scoring chances were 6-0 us with them on the ice.

I'd really like to see them switch back to Holtz with Nico and put Mercer on the 3rd line and just give it a look for a few games. Holtz was solid last night, and Mercer was arguably our worst forward.
- vlongo4419

Curtis Lazar was pretty active. Drew two penalties (committed one). Tied for the most hits on the night with a few others at four. Had good jump. Just saying.

Ruff confirms Bastian will play tonight.

Meant to post this before the season started. Over/under Jack hitting 100 this season?
I think I commented here that I wouldn't be surprised to see Jack go 50g, 60a.

We need to talk about that Jack to Jesper PP.

Everytime it's like a guaranteed goal.

Meant to post this before the season started. Over/under Jack hitting 100 this season?
I think I commented here that I wouldn't be surprised to see Jack go 50g, 60a.
- MartysBetter88

Only way he doesnt get it is if he gets hurt imo. Should easily cruise past 100 if he plays 80+, maybe even 75+

Meant to post this before the season started. Over/under Jack hitting 100 this season?
I think I commented here that I wouldn't be surprised to see Jack go 50g, 60a.
- MartysBetter88

5 points for Hughes through 5 periods

He is special

Smith surprisingly having a strong game.