Some New Jersey Devils thoughts following an embarrassing 5-1 loss at the hands of the Florida Panthers:
1) All season long the Devils have lived and died by two things: a) the play of Cory Schneider and; b) the play of their top line.
They don't win many games if both aren't playing well and they don't win any if they both struggle. The latter was the case Thursday night as the top line combined for just two shots on goal and zero(!!) even-strength scoring chances while Schneider posted an .840 save percentage.
The Devils' depth players haven't given the team much this season so if the top guys don't perform at a high level they're simply not going to win.
2) The Devils are averaging 16.7 scoring chances and 23.5 shots per game over the last seven. They're allowing 27.1 scoring chances and 29.7 shots per game in that span. That's not a good recipe for success regardless of who is between the pipes.
The good news for the Devils is that Travis Zajac's return appears to be imminent. If not anything else he should be able to help them clear up some things on the defensive side of the puck.
3) In the grand scheme of things this is a very minor detail but I'd like to see a 3rd pairing of David Schlemko and Eric Gelinas on a more frequent basis. In a little more than 90 minutes together at 5 v 5 the Devils have generated 58.8% of the shot attempts and 59.4% of the scoring chances with that pairing on the ice. Obviously it's a small sample size but I think the Devils should stick with what is working and see if they really have something here.
I mean, Jon Merrill's play has been underwhelming at best so it can't hurt to give these guys a legitimate shot to take the ball and run with it.
4) As frustrating as the Devils' play has been of late it's important to keep things in perspective. John Hynes has a team many pegged for last place sitting in a playoff spot ~40% through the regular season.
The Devils don't have near enough talent to cruise through the regular season without any rough patches. There will be some pain. The key is getting back on track before things spiral out of control and to this point Hynes has done a great job of getting the team to do just that.
I expect a much better effort Saturday against a struggling Anaheim Ducks team.
Prospect Updates
- I was scouting the Soo Greyhounds @ Barrie Colts game on Thursday night and Devils prospects Blake Speers and Colton White were among those featured.
Speers did not register a point in Soo's 2-1 shootout win but he did play a strong game. Defensively he was more than adequate and he was dangerous with the puck. He showed good speed going through the neutral zone and regularly gained the opposing line with possession. Speers darted around the ice in the offensive zone and got a couple good shots off. He also displayed great hands scoring a beautiful goal in the shootout.
White played a solid game as well. Positionally he was very good and he used his stick effectively to break up several passing and shot attempts. He made a good first pass and had a couple nice rushes up ice. White finished with two shots.
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