Playing against a Blue Jackets team that is regularly outshot - and has allowed 40+ shots several times of late - the Devils were able to muster up just 26 shots on goal in 61 minutes of hockey.
While there were some positives from the team's 3rd period comeback, they once again left the ice without a win, and have now lost six consecutive games; their longest losing streak of the season.
Some notes:
1) Everyone knows New Jersey's offense is bad, but I don't think many realize just how woeful it is. If the team's leading scorer only having 41 points at this stage of the season doesn't tell you, this will: the Devils have seven goals in their last six games. Seven. And they only scored more than two on three occasions in March; two of which were against Buffalo and Arizona. I don't know what Cory Schneider did to deserve this, but the poor guy never has a chance to win if he allows more than a pair.
2) Despite missing some time, Mike Cammalleri has 27 goals on the year (in just 63 games), and has a legitimate chance to pot 30. He is 19th in the NHL in goals, and has done exactly what he was brought in to do: score. Lou Lamoriello has swung and missed a few times in free agency of late, but he hit a home run in this case.
3) I continue to be puzzled by the fact Reid Boucher was once again a healthy scratch. There is absolutely no reason not to give him playing time. The team is well out of the playoffs, and they can't score, so he's not hurting the team even if he's producing nothing. Not that I have a problem with Stefan Matteau dressing, but why does a projected bottom-6 forward get an opportunity to play with Travis Zajac and Cammalleri, while the team's best goal-scoring prospect is benched for not scoring with Jordin Tootoo as one of his linemates?
4) Eric Gelinas recorded another power play point in last night's game. Over the last two seasons he's 5th among NHL defensemen (min. 250 minutes) in 5 vs 4 points/60 with 5.05. That's behind only Kevin Shattenkirk, Brent Burns, John Carlson and Shea Weber. The Devils might have something here.
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