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The Shootout Streak Is Over

October 31, 2014, 9:41 AM ET [51 Comments]
Todd Cordell
New Jersey Devils Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
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The New Jersey Devils finally they did it. They won a shootout.

After 65 minutes of hockey, a shootout was needed to decide the winner. And New Jersey won. Their streak of 18 consecutive shootout losses has been broken. The curse is over! In all seriousness, it was a big win for the Devils coming off the embarrassment in Pittsburgh on Tuesday night.

Some thoughts:

- Good on Cory Schneider for stepping up to the plate and delivering an exceptional performance when the Devils needed it most. After Tuesday's debacle, some were questioning whether Schneider was starter material and many expected a free fall down the standings. Schneider wouldn't let that happen, though, as he stopped 24-25 and 3-3 in the shootout to lead the Devils to 2-1 victory. His save percentage on the season isn't where anyone would like it to be, but he has the Devils in a playoff spot right now and that's all anyone could hope for.

- How about Jacob Josefson? He's made an impact in every game since being inserted to the lineup and that trend continued against Winnipeg. He was good in possession, won 80% of his draws, had a couple of shots and scored in the shootout. I'm thinking he should remain in the lineup.

- It was nice of Michael Ryder to bury one late and give the Devils a chance. After a few games without a point, you got the feeling he may have been gearing up for another one of those extended goalless droughts like we saw last season, but he stepped up and came through when the team needed him most. He's always been a streaky player and that won't change, but he has six points through 10 games thus far and I think that's a stat line the Devils are comfortable with, given he plays 3rd line minutes.

- Remember when Marek Zidlicky took a minor penalty every game last year? Well, I don't know what happened but he has just two minors through 10 games this year. With the way New Jersey's penalty killing units have been playing, Zidlicky's gamely penalties could have buried them this year. Good on him for staying disciplined.

- Up next for the Devils is an injury riddled Blue Jackets team, but after that they have a tough stretch of games. New Jersey will play St. Louis twice as well as Detroit, Boston, Minnesota, and Washington in their next handful of games. That could give us a good idea of how good New Jersey really is.

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