The New Jersey Devils are on a hot streak and have won their last seven games. Last night against the Calgary Flames, the Devils got off to a slow start but were able to get back on track to win 3-2.
Observations
1. Vitek Vanecek is simply getting the job done in net. The Devils had a slow start to the first period and getting outshot by the Flames early on in the game. Vanecek turned away 13 out of 14 shots in the first period and kept the Devils within a one goal deficit. The Devils are getting adequate goaltending which is the reason why they are in first place of the Metropolitan Division. Vanecek held the fort together long enough for his team to make the adjustments during the first intermission. Last season, New Jersey would have been down 4-0 and would have a huge mountain to climb for the rest of the game. Expect Vanecek to shoulder a bulk of the workload in net as Mackenzie Blackwood will be out for awhile with a MCL sprain.
2. Nico Hischier has been on a tear as of late! Hischier has been Mr. Clutch and does not surprise me that he got the game winning goal last night. In 12 games played so far, Hischier has 6 goals and 8 assists and is plus 9. Although there was some concern about Hischier’s injury during preseason, that is all behind us. He is the Devils captain for a reason!
3. Devils defenseman Ryan Graves has scored three goals in the past five games. He is shooting the puck more and has been getting more involved offensively like the rest of his fellow blueliners. Dougie Hamilton had a laser shot on net on the 5 on 3 power play which resulted in a power play goal to give the Devils the lead. When the defense gets involved more offensively, good things will happen.
4. The Devils lead the Eastern Conference with nine regulation wins. Lindy Ruff’s job security? The Devils are 10-1-0 with 20 points since the chants of “Fire Lindy… rained down during the home opener against the Detroit Red Wings. Winning solves everything.
PODCAST - Devils Douse Flames, Win 3-2