Following a tough road trip through Western Canada the New Jersey Devils were looking to get back on track with some home cooking against the Columbus Blue Jackets.
They were unable to do so, though, as the Jackets scored first and led for much of the game en route to a 2-1 win over the Devils.
Notes:
1) The Devils' record may suggest they're a pretty good team but they certainly haven't been of late. They recorded 20 shots on goal in a loss to the struggling Flames, they recorded 20 shots on goal in a loss to the struggling Oilers, they were out shot significantly in a win over Vancouver and a Columbus Blue Jackets team that entered Wednesday night's game last in the East took it to them in the early part of the game.
Columbus sat back and allowed the Devils to throw everything but the kitchen sink at Sergei Bobrovsky late but prior to score effects running their course the Blue Jackets were much better than the Devils.
In the first period they out shot the Devils 14-4, out chanced them 10-2 and looked a lot like the team many expected heading into the season.
The Devils may have made a good push late while trailing but as a whole it was a pretty underwhelming effort against a team they needed to beat.
2) Even in defeat Cory Schneider was one of the best players on the ice. He stopped 23-25 and held the Devils in it until the final buzzer sounded. He has now allowed two goals or less in nine of 10, posted a .900 save percentage or better in 10 straight, and posted a .920SV% or better in nine of those 10 games. He's giving the Devils a chance to win each and every night and deserves a lot of credit for his strong play.
3) A lot was made about Adam Henrique's disallowed goal but I thought it was the right call. Greg Campbell did touch the puck and was actually the one who chipped it into the corner prior to the goal. The goal was disallowed way late, which John Hynes was rightfully upset about, but if play was blown dead a couple seconds earlier like it should have been there wouldn't have been a problem. It's a tough pill to swallow but, again, I think the play should have been blown dead prior to the goal. For the officials I think this was a case of better late than never.
4) Sticking with Henrique he, along with Mike Cammalleri and Lee Stempniak, continues to play fantastic hockey for the Devils. The line was once again positive in even-strength possession and they managed to combine for seven shots and the team's lone goal.
5) One positive for me was the play of Damon Severson. He did turn it over at the opposing blue line trying to deke around one of Columbus' players but for the most part he was excellent. Offensively he had a couple heavy shots that led to big rebounds and he distributed the puck efficiently throughout. He's been much better the last couple weeks.
6) I didn't think Patrik Elias looked particularly good in his return to the lineup. He didn't generate much offensively, seemed a step too slow and a little rusty with the puck. That's to be expected, though. I'm sure he'll be fine in a few games time.
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