After a convincing win over the Washington Capitals on Friday, the New Jersey Devils went into Long Island yesterday and were shutout by rookie goaltender Anders Nilsson, and the New York Islanders. Here are some notes on that game, Zach Parise, Adam Larsson and more.
- First off, I'd like to congratulate Anders Nilsson on picking up the first win and shutout of his young NHL career. He wasn't tested too much and the Devils did make it easy on him for the most part, but that's not his problem. Nilsson made the stops he had to make and was rewarded for it. Good for him. Hopefully this is the start of a solid NHL career.
- From the Devils perspective, yesterday's game was unacceptable. Like against the New York Rangers last Thursday, the Devils were trying to do way too much and wouldn't put the puck on net. Zach Parise said it best: a peewee goaltender could have shut them out yesterday. They just didn't create many chances and didn't take advantage of big rebounds when Nilsson gave them up. With all due respect to Nilsson, it was his second career game yesterday and he is by no means a proven NHL goaltender, yet the Devils would not put the puck on net. New Jersey did this Thursday and were shutout. They fixed that up Friday and won 5-0. Coincidence? Not at all. New Jersey will need to get back to throwing everything on net tomorrow when they square off against the Rangers, because the Rangers won't have any of the Devils fancy act.
- One positive from yesterday's game was the play of Martin Brodeur. He was very good and made several key saves to give the Devils an opportunity to win; one they didn't take. If he can give the Devils a performance like that tomorrow, they'll be in a good position to pick up the two points.
- Another was the play of Marek Zidlicky. Once again, he didn't produce any points but I felt he played the best game as a Devil. He had two shots and three hits in just under 19 minutes of play. He also made a fantastic defensive play to stop the Islanders from scoring an empty net goal with about a minute remaining in the game. Though the Devils didn't end up tying the game, the defensive play by Zidlicky gave them a few good chances to do so.
It appears he's finally getting comfortable with the Devils players and their system. He looks a lot more composed on the back end, too. Zidlicky will continue to improve, the Devils (and their fans) just need to give him some time.
- One player I've been very impressed with over the past few games is Jacob Josefson. He's been creating a lot offensively and has still been responsible in his own end. If he continues to play like he is right now the points will come.
- Adam Larsson had three blocked shots and four hits in yesterday's game. I've noticed over the past month or so that he's really started to add a physical dimension to his game. I'm not sure if the Devils coaching staff is preaching this or he's just gaining confidence and getting comfortable in the NHL, but it's good to see.
Here's a video of the young defenseman talking about Sweden's World Junior Program, his steadily improving physical game and the Devils chances this season, among other things.
- As many of you know, Zach Parise took a puck to the hand yesterday and is a little banged up. With that said, Tom Gulitti is reporting that there is no fracture, break or anything else in his hand and that he will be good to go for tomorrow's game against the Rangers. This is certainly good news for the Devils as they experienced first hand last year what life is like without him.
- I've written about how important Andy Greene is to the Devils on several occasions this year, and I think it's something that I can't preach enough. He's their most steady puck-moving defenseman and without him in the lineup the Devils get pinned in their own zone a lot and often can't make quick transitions out of it. Yesterday was a perfect example of that.
It's unknown if he will play tomorrow or if he will sit out with back spasm's yet again, but New Jersey could certainly use him.
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