The New Jersey Devils' season long four-game winning streak came to an abrupt halt in Pittsburgh last night as they were blanked 2-0 by the Penguins.
Notes:
1) I liked how the Devils started the game as they came out flying and were all over the Penguins for almost the entirety of the 1st period. The Devils jumped out to an 11-3 lead in the shot department and were generating quality chances with regularity. Marc-Andre Fleury was fantastic early, though, and weathered the storm allowing the Pens to find their footing.
The game changed on a dime after Kyle Palmieri took a penalty ~15 minutes into the 1st. Sidney Crosby scored almost immediately after and the Pens carried play for most of the remaining 45 minutes.
The Devils out attempted the Pens 19-10 in the 1st and recorded 10(!) scoring chances but had nothing to show for it. The Devils were out chanced 21-11 in the final 40 and, again, probably deserved to lose the game.
2) Joseph Blandisi had two scoring chances, four shot attempts and set up a couple excellent opportunities for teammates while finishing even in possession at full-strength. He wasn't as flashy as he's been in some recent games but he was still effective.
3) One of the biggest negatives from the Devils' perspective was their play on the man advantage. The Devils had just one shot attempt and zero(!!) scoring chances in ~seven minutes of 5 v 4 play. I don't think John Hynes and co. are going to be pleased with that.
4) I liked the Devils trying to set up Eric Gelinas for one timers in the middle of the ice. He has a cannon of a shot and I think that's something that's been under utilized in the first half of the season. He needs to start hitting the net if the Devils are going to continue with this strategy, though. Hitting the target twice in five attempts - and missing three in a row late - isn't going to cut it.
5) I don't think the Devils could have done a much better of limiting the opportunities of Pittsburgh's top guns. Evgeni Malkin, Sidney Crosby and Kris Letang combined for two points and five shots. They also managed just four scoring chances at even-strength. The Devils did what they had to do defensively; they just couldn't score.
6) Cory Schneider owns a .941 save percentage over his last 12 starts. I'm so happy he gets to participate in all-star weekend because he definitely deserves the recognition.
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