Follow me on Twitter @ToddCordell
The New Jersey Devils picked up their third consecutive win on Sunday afternoon as they beat a very formidable Los Angeles Kings team on the back of a Keith Kinkaid shutout.
The Good
- The Devils were out shot 28-18 and out attempted 52-34 but they did a very good job of limiting the amount of chances they gave up and keeping everything to the outside.
The best indicator of that is high-danger scoring chances. The Kings were credited with just four, while the Devils had eight. That was an excellent defensive performance in the latter half of a back-to-back against a very good - and fresh - team in the Kings.
- Not a lot is asked of Keith Kinkaid but the Devils needed a good performance from him against the Kings and he gave them just that. Again, he didn't face a ton of high-danger chances but he made the tough save when he had to and was perfect on the day stopping 28-of-28.
It's nice for John Hynes to be able to give Cory Schneider a night off and not have to worry about the quality of goaltending he'll get.
- I thought Reid Boucher played another solid game. He didn't get on the scoresheet but he finished with a team-high three scoring chances and a team-high five shot attempts. His shot is his best asset so if he continues to get good looks it's only a matter of time before the points follow.
- Damon Severson was one of four Devils to finish with a positive on-ice shot attempt differential at even-strength. He also laid a couple solid hits, made a good first pass and was pretty steady while logging almost 18 minutes of ice.
- The Devils took just one penalty. It's a lot easier to win - especially against good teams - when you don't shoot yourself in the foot.
The Bad
- Adam Henrique was absolutely caved in at even-strength in this game. With No. 14 on the ice at 5 v 5 the Kings out attempted the Devils 24-3. Henrique didn't have a shot on goal or a scoring chance in this game, either.
- I thought Kyle Palmieri did some good things but he continues to struggle mightily on the offensive side of the puck. In his last nine games he has just one point. The Devils need more from him.
Stat Of The Game
The Devils allowed just three high-danger scoring chances at 5 v 5. That's their lowest total since December 1st against Colorado.
Recent Posts
On Blandisi & potential deadline plans
On Boucher, Matteau & Schneider
Boucher breaks out as Devils top Oilers
Defending Mackenzie Blackwood
New Jersey Devils Blogger • 
Join the Discussion:
»