The New Jersey Devils headed into Sunday night time’s conflict with the San Jose Sharks hovering from an extra time victory Saturday night time over the New York Islanders. On the Island, the Devils erased a two-goal deficit with lower than 5 minutes to play on objectives from Dawson Mercer and Stefan Noesen after which received the sport on a Jack Hughes breakaway purpose. Tonight, the workforce wanted the identical heroics, however they didn’t come as they have been blanked by the San Jose Sharks 1-0.
Sport Recap
Former Devils goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood shined in his first look within the Prudential Middle in opposition to his former teammates. Blackwood didn’t permit a purpose on 44 photographs. The Devils didn’t go quietly, although, peppering their former teammate with an onslaught of 19 third-period photographs and in the end trying 69 photographs. Hughes and Jesper Bratt led the best way with eight photographs every. Regardless of the flurry within the remaining interval, the Devils nonetheless gave up extra high-danger possibilities than they earned all through the sport, as fatigue appeared to be extra of an element within the first 35 minutes.
The Devils completed final season 3-11-2 within the second half of back-to-back video games, a .250 level proportion, and an enormous motive they have been by no means in a position to maintain any momentum. Sunday night time, that they had an opportunity to enhance on this season’s 1-1-1, they usually couldn’t shake off the aftereffects of a tough-fought sport the night time earlier than in opposition to the Islanders. Aside from the Jack Hughes line, the Devils appeared gradual all night.
Nico Hischier’s line had a uncommon off night time, posting an anticipated goals-for proportion (xGF%) of 32, far beneath their regular output. The workforce appeared to devolve into their dangerous behavior of overpassing on house ice, making an attempt to make the proper play, and giving up alternatives with clear appears on purpose. The overpassing was so obvious on one possession that it derived a “shoot the puck” chant from the group. After the sport, Devils head coach Sheldon Keefe lamented that the workforce talked about capturing the puck and being extra direct to the web, however after “following the plan” nearly completely Saturday night time, the workforce failed to take action once more at house.
The Sharks’ purpose got here at 16:21 of the primary interval. Nico Sturm broke by on the push and drew Jake Allen out of the crease after which fired the puck again in direction of the purpose. The puck appeared to go in off the skate of a backchecking Timo Meier into the open web. Blackwood, assisted by a bevy of shot blockers, was in a position to make that purpose stand and lead his workforce to what needed to be a satisfying win for the previous Satan. Like Blackwood, Allen performed a wonderful sport, stopping 26 of 27 photographs, together with a number of in high-danger areas. Keefe praised him after the sport for his capacity to resist the direct assaults of the Sharks and the fixed stress he appeared to be beneath.
The Devils now head south for a three-game street journey in opposition to the Florida Panthers on Tuesday and Thursday earlier than ending Saturday in opposition to the Carolina Hurricanes.
