Devils Exact Their Revenge, Only Lose 3-1 This Time.

I’m numb to this at this point, I have never been more excited to have some time away from my favorite team in my life.

In a vacuum, this was a great defensive effort. Limited the Islanders to 14 shots on goal. Allen was there when we needed him for the most part. But the anemic offense rolls on as the Islanders drop the Devils 3-1 led by Bo Horvat with 1g and 1a.

1st Period

There have been some pretty low event periods this season, but this one may take the cake. The only marginally exciting thing that happened was Mercer’s breakaway where he hit the cross bar. We only mustered 6 shots for, but really clamped down on the Isles allowing only two shots against. That is 4 straight periods unable to put the puck in tthe net.

Fun fact, The Devils have only scored 40 goals in the first period this season, good for 4th to last. I was kind of surprised there are teams below us (LA, Detroit and Seattle).

2nd Period

The scoring drought was ended on a broken play, where Allen wrapped it up to noone as Cotter and Sieges covered the same guy. Shot, rebound and Cizikas was there to pick up the trash. 1-0 them, which is now 33 of 56 games this season (58.9%).

A little side rant on this goal: one of my biggest complaints is winger positioning in the D-zone. We reverse the puck A LOT, which is fine, I get it, it acts as a safety valve for the breakout. But there is NEVER a winger there on the weak side after the reverse for the zone exit. This happened on this goal as Allen swung the puck up the boards, where Cotter (or another wing) should’ve been, but noone was there.

We actually strung together some decent chances on the one PP we had in the second, Dougie had some vintage Dougie bombs, decent puck movement. Nico had a great chance, but just kinda tried to run Sorokin over? No idea what that was, but credit for trying something new I guess.

We finally got ourselves on the board after some really good connected shifts – resembling a marginally competent offensive team. But things just seem so so so hard for this team, it took multiple chances:

Lenni on a nice feed from Kovacevic, but Pelech was there for a kick save,

Dougie had a great chance on a stuff play off a Dadonov rush,

Bjugstad had a good short side shot that caught Sorokin in an awkward position,

Bratt had a great chance, where he had a mirror to his goal the other night where he pulled it out of the crease and waited but just missed,

UNTIL FINALLY. I honestly don’t know what to do with my hands now, we score so infrequently. Nice shot by Nico on a feed from Bratt. Allen picks up his first assist of the season.

Fun fact, the Devils have only scored 49 2nd period goals, good for 4th to last as well (NYR, CAL, LA).

3rd Period

The Devils wilted again in the 3rd, just couldn’t generate anything and the nail int he coffin finally came at 16:33. Nico wins the draw but Kovacevic fumbles it and just falls. he falls. Horvat walks in all alone and slides under Allen’s pad. We literally didn’t generate a single fraction of an xG after this gaol. Just folded.

ENG and good night moon.

Some Scattered Thoughts

Palat had a good game, multiple good chances, hit a post, but couldn’t finish. Good times. Nice tribute video.

Petition to have Cory in the booth a lot more moving forward, and it might be time to swap some personnel out up there. I know the team being this bad is exacerbating things, but I am really struggling with the current booth, it is a hard watch and listen.

There are only 3 guys have no gripe with and that is Lenni, Glass, and Gritsyuk. Everyone else, my feelings range from “get off my team” to “I’m questioning your presence moving forward.”

While he had a quiet game, I love watching Schaffer (Schneider according to some). One thing he really does well is activate from the Dzone with give and go’s. He is builds up speed as he moves the puck up, and gets it right back at top speed. Can’t wait to get stuffed in a locker by him for 20 years.

Bjugstad, here’s your 35% xGF and -1. Welcome to the party, pal.

Can’t score, wilted in the 3rd. Enjoy the break all, go (insert country of choice). What do you think? Are you into the Olympics or anti? Who do you like in the draft since we have to start looking?

We will have some ongoing Devils and Olympics coverage throughout the break, so be on the lookout!

LGD