Five observations from New Jersey vs Montreal:
1. Marcus Johansson finally broke out Do you believe in miracles? Well, you should because we saw one last night. Marcus Johansson not only found the scoresheet once; he did so multiple times. No, this isn't me taking a shot at him. Not at all. It's just that he always seems to come up empty-handed even when he's one of the better offensive facilitators. For once that wasn't the case.
Johansson put forth one of the better 5v5 performances you will see all season *and* was actually rewarded for it. He picked up a pair of assists to go along with a team-high in scoring chances (4), shot attempt differential (+9), and scoring chance differential (+8) at 5v5.
He's recording shot attempts at the 2nd highest clip of his career, chances at the highest clip, and creating a lot for teammates all while having the lowest on-ice shooting percentage. In other words, he is playing better than his counting totals suggest and is probably due for more showings like last night's.
2. Pavel Zacha: goal scoring machine Speaking of miracles, Pavel Zacha has scored in three consecutive games. Three! It's no fluke, either. It feels like he's a lot more assertive with his big frame and is getting to the net to create, which is what John Hynes and co. have preached for years. The numbers back that up, too.
At 5v5, Zacha recorded 13 chances (four high-danger) over his first 10 games. Six of those 13 chances came in the first two.
Zacha has piled up 13 chances (seven high-danger) in five games since being recalled. Though he only spent a few games in the AHL, he really has been a completely different player this time around. Perhaps the demotion served as a necessary wakeup call because he means business now. That's great news for a Devils team that desperately needs the 2nd line to get going offensively.
3. The Devils limited the high-danger looks Led by Brendan Gallagher, the Montreal Canadiens have been very good at generating high-danger looks this season. They entered play averaging 12 per 60 minutes at 5v5, which was not far behind the 4th placed Devils (12.39).
Despite (again) playing without Sami Vatanen, the Devils conceded just six high-danger looks in 54 minutes of 5v5 play. That's 6.66 per 60 minutes.
They have now given up 19 HDCA in 157 5v5 minutes without Vatanen, which equates to 7.26 per 60. Boston (8.2 HDCA/60) is the only team allowing fewer than 9.25 HDCA/60. Small sample size, I know, but it puts into perspective how stingy the Devils have played of late. Let's hope that continues while they continue to find their footing offensively.
4. Life was difficult for Carey Price The best way to test a struggling goaltender is to create lots of chances around the net. The Devils did just that. They were finding soft spots in the slot, deflecting pucks just outside the paint, and living in tight. It certainly paid off as four of their five goals were scored from the hashmarks and in.
5. The 4th line struggled There were a lot of positives last night. The play of the Miles Wood - Brett Seney - J.S. Dea line was not one of them. More than any other line, they spent a lot of time chasing play in the defensive zone. They didn't generate much of anything – they combined for three chances – and their possession numbers were flat out awful. Dea (9 attempts for, 16 against) actually had the best night of the bunch. Wood (6 for, 16 against) and Seney (5 for, 14 against) both posted sub 30 Corsi For%'s. The Devils are still searching for the right 4th line combo and this doesn't appear to be it. At least it wasn't last night.