The New Jersey Devils were in Florida to take on the Panthers for the second time in this early season and, as was the case opening night, they left the ice without two points.
The Devils spotted the Panthers the game's first two goals but managed to battle back and force overtime. In OT the two sides traded chances for more than four minutes before Vincent Trocheck eventually ended it late in the extra frame.
The Good
- Travis Zajac was one of the best players on the ice in this game. His goal was pretty lucky - he was in the right place at the right time and the puck bounced right to him - but he still did a nice job finishing the play off. He also played a key role in all situations and was particularly good defensively.
Despite playing almost 13 minutes at 5 v 5 he wasn't on the ice for one scoring chance against. Not one. Given he spent the majority of his minutes against Trocheck's line or Aleksander Barkov's line that is quite impressive.
- Pavel Zacha scored his first NHL goal and only three Devils forwards played more than Zacha. It's clear the coaching staff likes what they see from him and have faith good things will happen when he's on the ice. It's going to be fun watching him develop.
- Gather 'round, gather 'round. We need to have a little talk about Beau Bennett, friends. Pretty much every time I hop on the interwebs I see people complaining about Bennett. He's not exactly an elite finisher, and he will frustrate you at times, but his speed brings a lot to this team and more good than bad happens when he's on the ice. That is not an opinion but a fact. Every now and then he makes a play like this, too.
.@Pavel_Zacha's first career @NHL goal was CLUTCH. #NJDvsFLA pic.twitter.com/wgduytBUHX
— New Jersey Devils (@NJDevils) November 4, 2016
You have all been subjected to watching Dainius Zubrus, Tuomo Ruutu, Stephen Gionta, Bobby Farnham and co. for years and you're going to complain about a speedy 24-year-old, who is playing pretty well, skating a regular shift in the bottom-6? Come on.
- Another night, another couple points for Damon Severson. He is up to eight points in nine games and all eight have come in his last seven contests. When is the last time a Devils defenseman had a stretch like this?
The Bad
- Mike Cammalleri is really fighting it right now. He hasn't scored this season, which is kind of strange considering he's fired 22 shots on net, and I think it's really starting to get to him. A couple times last night there were open teammates elsewhere on the ice and Cammalleri forced a shot from a bad angle, or with a player in the lane, rather than passing it up. Once he gets one I think he'll start to get going but he'll probably be forcing the issue until that happens.
- The Devils were pretty disciplined - they took just three penalties over 64 minutes of play - but the penalties they did take proved costly due to a poor penalty kill. They killed just one of three off. You're not going to win very often when conceding two power play goals.
- Cory Schneider had a bit of an off night allowing four goals on 31 shots. It doesn't happen often, and he didn't allow an absolute clunker of a goal, but the Devils aren't going to win many games when they allow four goals. I expect he'll be better Saturday against the Lightning.
Stat Of The Game
With Kyle Palmieri on the ice the Devils were out chanced, 6-1, at full-strength. He's having a rough go to start the season.
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