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The New Jersey Devils looked to snap what was a four-game losing streak last night against the Boston Bruins and failed to do so. As a result of their shutout loss, the Devils now sit on the outside of the playoff picture looking in.
Game Notes
- The Devils continue to out play their opponents almost every night yet continue to pile up the losses. Last night's 1-0 loss was the Devils fifth consecutive loss, ninth loss in 11 games and it marks the first time the Devils have been shutout this season.
- New Jersey had more shots, faceoff wins, takeaways, blocked shots and less giveaways than Boston. If they win these stat battles nightly the wins will start to come. That's the hope, anyways.
- Martin Brodeur made one of his better starts of the season. He stopped 25-of-26 in the loss and made several key stops to keep the Devils within one goal. Unluckily for him, the Devils failed to take advantage of one of their many opportunities and were shutout as a result. Tuukka Rask was very good, but if you put 40 pucks on net you better get at least one.
- David Clarkson has seven shots and a couple of hits last night but once again failed to put the puck in the net. Clarkson has just two goals and two assists in his last 23 games and is pointless in his last five. He's also been a minus player in four straight games.
- Adam Henrique: one point (goal) in his last 10 games. Clarkson has been at the top of the list of criticism, but Henrique is quietly not doing much of anything.
- How bad do the Devils need Ilya Kovalchuk back? The power play looks lost without him, their penalty kill isn't near the threat to score it was when he's on the ice and the Devils are hurting 5 vs. 5 as well. Kovalchuk not only brings a dynamic attack of his own to the lineup, but when he's playing there is so much more scoring depth and balance on the team. I haven't been made aware of any setbacks regarding his injury so I assume he'll be back within the next 7-10 days. Hopefully for the Devils that isn't too late.
- Anton Volchenkov was put in the lineup as the Devils 7th defenseman so he could play 12 minutes. Makes sense, especially when the Devils are struggling to score as a team. Why sit one of the best puck movers on the team when you can have Volchenkov in there? Adam Larsson is among the best Devils defenseman in terms of moving the puck quickly out of the zone and he's the defenseman with the highest goals for per 20 minutes of 5 vs 5 on the team. For a team struggling to score, continually sitting Larsson doesn't make much sense.
- Steve Sullivan's best days are behind him, no doubt, but he still a decent player and will add some speed and skill to the lineup. Sullivan will also help in the shootout, where the Devils have struggled to find success this season. He won't be a saviour, but he could provide a nice boost to the lineup and for a 7th round pick in 2014, he was worth the price.
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