Five observations from New Jersey’s 4-3 win over Ottawa:
1. That was fun A bye week coupled with the All-Star break meant nine days between Devils games. As disappointing of a season as they’re having, and as frustrating as they are to watch at times, that long layoff put into perspective how boring things can be without Devils hockey – regardless of whether the team is getting results.
Thankfully, the Devils came back into our lives on Monday night and they treated us to one of the more entertaining games they’ve played this season.
I speculated we could be in for a high-event game. Were we ever. The two sides combined for 164 shot attempts, 91 shots on target, 31 Grade A chances, and seven goals (if we count a shootout winner).
There were highlight plays made by stars (like Nico Hischier). There were plenty of excellent saves. There were lead changes and head scratching moments. Headlined by P.K. Subban and Brady Tkachuk, the game was also physical and filled with emotion. The game had it all.
As much as anything, sports are meant to be a positive distraction in your life. A lot of people – myself included – are still very much upset about the tragic helicopter accident that took the lives of nine just days ago. A lot of people are also worried or upset about things that are happening in their personal lives.
Last night’s Devils vs Senators game gave everyone a few hours to just get lost and tune everything out. It was really refreshing.
2. Nico Hischier is figuring things out Nico is an awesome player. He has been since the day he stepped into the NHL. But with each game that passes, he’s going up another level. I can’t fully put my finger on it but it’s almost as if Hischier woke up, realized ‘hey, I’m better than almost everyone on the ice’ and adjusted his game accordingly. He still plays the same style. He’s just making plays only stars can make, and much more regularly.
Hischier is threading the needle through tight windows, leading teammates into space, and seemingly everything he touches is turning into a Grade A scoring opportunity. Last night he was once again dishing them out like candy on Halloween, and it was a treat to watch.
He finished the night with an assist and a 67.65 Expected Goals For% yet it still feels like he was awfully hard done by. These kinds of performances are becoming the norm, too.
$7.25 million per is going to be a STEAL.
3. If only… The Devils can be a frustrating team to watch for many reasons. Perhaps the biggest is the flashes certain players show to make you think about what could be, only for those same guys to disappoint you time and time again. I think Miles Wood is the epitome of that.
Every night he uses his speed to generate multiple high-end chances on the doorstep. Every night he fails to convert them into goals.
As much as you want to believe things will turn around – one can’t continue to come empty on so many top tier chances, right?!? – they simply don’t.
Wood is on pace for ~12 goals, which is fine for a bottom-6 player. But, man, if the guy had even average finishing ability, he could breeze past 20 every year with the chances he gets.
4. Jack Hughes showed life He was still stuck with Wayne Simmonds and Pavel Zacha at 5v5, even when the Devils were trailing and it felt like they could have used a boost. Hughes made the most of it though. He was in grip it and rip it mode from start to finish, confidently darting into the offensive zone and taking every shot that was available to him. I don’t know if it was due to his linemates or a mentality shift over the break but, honestly, it was nice to see him take matters into his own hands.
Though No. 86 didn’t score (shootout aside), he led the game with eight shots on goal and six scoring chances. There’s no doubting his talent so if he continues to get looks like last night, they’ll go sooner than later.
5. The power play was a disaster New Jersey spent more than eight minutes on the man advantage. Ottawa spent 3:29. That gap alone can be the difference in a game. It should be, anyway, and nearly was – but for the wrong reasons.
Rather than capitalizing on their opportunities and extending the lead, the Devils allowed not one but two shorthanded goals. It wasn’t some fluke either. They gave up two high-danger chances, which is the same amount as they mustered up in better than eight minutes of work. In terms of expected goals, Ottawa’s tally while shorthanded was somehow higher than New Jersey’s. Quite frankly, that is embarrassing.
Alain Nasreddine and the coaching staff should be putting quite a bit of focus on that leading up to Thursday’s game against...John Hynes and the Nashville Predators.
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