Devils coach Jacques Lemaire says the days of teams with a one-goal lead in the third period sitting on that lead and protecting it until the end -- a strength of the Devils' championship teams -- is a thing of the past in the NHL.
The game has changed since the 2004-05 lockout that teams can no longer play and win that way.
"It's over," Lemaire said today. "It's over. That was the time of the good defensive team and that is gone. Not that the teams are not good defensively. It's the offense that is in the league, the parity that is in the league. That's why you go back on games and you see teams, they dominate for a period and then it switches to the other team and then it switches again. As soon as there's a little drop in the intensity, anything that your team is doing well, as soon as there's a little drop, the other team takes over."
The Devils had some trouble protecting leads last season. most notably in their Game 7 loss to Carolina in the playoffs, in which they gave up two goals in the final 80 seconds to turn a 3-2 lead into a 4-3 loss.
Lemaire said blowing third period leads is common in the NHL these days, but limiting how often it happens has become the key to success.
"Every team does that," Lemaire said. "It's to do it the least [times] possible. You know that it's going to happen. What's happening is the momentum changes sides. You're playing, everything is going fine, you're on top of the other team and then, for some reason, the other side, they start to create a little more and then build up comfidence. And you, you're seeing the same. Then, they raise your game and you're not. Then, they get a goal, they get another one and that's how [it happens]. They feel good and they're playing at their best because of that confidence, because of that big turn that it's happening."
{Follow this blog on Twitter at http://twitter.com/TGfireandice.}
Lemaire pointed out that it happened in the Devils' 3-2 preseason shootout win over the Rangers on Wednesday. The Devils led 2-0 entering the third period, but the Rangers came back to tie it.
"Then, after they took over us, they tied it 2-2, when we went to three lines, now our intensity rose and then we were in their zone the whole time," Lemaire said. "But, you see this every game. Every game you see this."
Lemaire it's a natural thing.
"It's human beings," he said. "We could see it coming. Coaches, they see it coming. You guys, you must see it at times."
The Rangers got a goal from Matt Gilroy that cut it to 2-1, but Lemaire said, "Before the first goal, I know that we were dropping a bit, just that intensity, being on the puck, being in their way."
***
In case you missed it earlier, Lemaire said he plans to make the first cuts of training camp on Friday.
Oh thank God.
Posted by: Classic Devil | September 17, 2009 at 05:30 PM
So far I'm enjoying Lemaire's comments about the way things are going. He's very open and honest about things.
Posted by: iamtheprodigy | September 17, 2009 at 05:39 PM
The funny thing with Lemaire is that you can hear his accent even when his comments are written down :)
Posted by: Number6 | September 17, 2009 at 05:55 PM
wouldn't be surpised if pl3 doesn't make it....is peters done with devils tg?????
Posted by: Par99 | September 17, 2009 at 06:11 PM
I'm looking forward to seeing who makes the first cut.
Posted by: Puckster | September 17, 2009 at 06:15 PM
Wow... it's weird having a coach that responds to questions with actual answers.
Posted by: .B.C. | September 17, 2009 at 06:17 PM
Did Langenbrunner apologize yet?
Posted by: Frank Rizzo | September 17, 2009 at 06:17 PM
TG, have you scene PL3 even take a Warm Up Shots? What's that shot like? So glad they signed him to a 3Y deal..at the 500K level.
Posted by: Zorin | September 17, 2009 at 06:18 PM
Peters is still in camp. He was on the lines I listed for the first group earlier today.
PL3 can shoot the puck. He scored goals in two of the rookie scrimmages last week.
Last night's game was not his best effort, though.
Posted by: TG | September 17, 2009 at 06:47 PM
TG, i remember you said Sutter was good with the press. how's Lemaire been treating ya so far? i for one am enjoying the quotes more...
Posted by: Tull | September 17, 2009 at 06:54 PM
If Derek Boogaard found himself a spot playing for Lemaire, Leblond should be fine. Like TG said, last night wasn't his best effort, but there were a few guys that struggled last night. A few months without playing in an NHL game will do that to you.
Posted by: Neil S | September 17, 2009 at 07:08 PM
Sutter was good with the media, particularly after practices. Lemaire has been good so far. I'm enjoying his energy.
Posted by: TG | September 17, 2009 at 07:24 PM
Please don't ask Whitey or Langs about the tiff again!
Posted by: Craigwell | September 17, 2009 at 07:39 PM
A question to all the doom and gloom naysayers and negative Nancies who were crying all summer long about Lemaire being old and behind the times and he would kill Parise's offensive production and turn this team into a boring trap monster; How's your crow sandwich taste?
Posted by: Told you so | September 17, 2009 at 08:03 PM
Its looking like we might grab a center from outside the organization..THIS SUCKS..because I was hoping we would grab a center on our terms at the trade deadline...now if we are forced to make that move, we are limited to what is available to us..and that sucks...
just thinking bout it
Posted by: patiently waiting | September 17, 2009 at 08:24 PM
told you so:
Are we 20 games in yet? I'd wait a bit before you reproach the naysayers (I'm not one of them, mind you, nor have I ever been).
Just might be a little early to serve the crow. Talk is cheap.
Posted by: Craigwell | September 17, 2009 at 08:24 PM
patiently: keep waiting, nothing has been done yet.
Posted by: Craigwell | September 17, 2009 at 08:25 PM
I asked this in another thread today but it got lost in the proliferation of topics (?); does anyone know the status of the shrinking goalie equipment? I thought there were supposed to be new regulations in place for this year...? thanks!
Posted by: Tull | September 17, 2009 at 09:58 PM
I loved that clip played during commercial breaks with the clips of last years playoffs then called this year "The Season Of Vengeance" Got me pumped... Now we only need the players to watch it before every game
Posted by: RickyM2 | September 17, 2009 at 10:27 PM
Guys check it out, corn maze dedicated to the Devils. It looks pretty cool.
Aerial view: http://www.alstedefarms.com/resources/CornMazeAerial.jpg
Their website: http://www.alstedefarms.com/
Posted by: Nick | September 17, 2009 at 10:30 PM
Gen lou stated in todays NYPOST that they will not be looking outside the team for a center to fill in elias's spot. He stated that they will promote from within.
Manny Malholtra to san jose on a camp tryout. Afiniganov to atlanta on a tryout. Sykora signed 1 year $1.65 mill with the wild today in case anyone didn't see
Posted by: nnjrules | September 17, 2009 at 10:35 PM
I heard Doc and Chico say Clarkson is a UFA after this season because he wasnt drafted... I better hold off on that #23 jersey
Posted by: RickyM2 | September 17, 2009 at 10:36 PM
clarkson is definitely someone I'd want to lock up. I think he'll be a lifer.
Posted by: Craigwell | September 17, 2009 at 10:52 PM
Regardless of what gen lou said, not tipping his hand and all, I wouldn't mind rob neidermyer for 1 year 1 mill or what ever the min is. Pelley did zippo last night. Yes its the first preseason game but between the 2 I rather have rob.
Posted by: nnjrules | September 17, 2009 at 11:14 PM
nnjrules.. 1st game or 20th game, Pelley is fighting for his future, and he was invisible. Not very appealing. IMO, none of our new guys had it together. I have a bad feeling we're gunna miss Madden and Gio very much. Well, there are a few more games left till Oct.
Posted by: RickyM2 | September 17, 2009 at 11:24 PM