Despite Cory Schneider's best efforts the New Jersey Devils were unable to get back on track on Sunday afternoon as they fell to the Boston Bruins 2-1 in a shootout.
This marks the first time the Devils have dropped three in a row since they started the season with four consecutive losses.
Notes:
1) I shouldn't really be amazed by Cory Schneider's play against the Bruins because he stands on his head on a regular basis but I still was. He made several saves he had no business making and was inarguably the only reason the Devils managed even a point in this game. Schneider stopped 38-39 (.974SV%) and allowed just one goal on three attempts in the shootout. He gave the Devils every opportunity to win this game and that's all they can ask.
2) It was nice to see Andy Greene activate and join the rush on the Devils' lone goal. The team's defense core as a whole is very mobile but they don't jump into the play as much as one would expect. They have the personnel to activate so I'd like to see them do so a little more often; especially when the forwards are struggling to score.
3) Jiri Tlusty didn't get on the scoresheet but I thought he played a very good game. He was very active offensively and put pucks on net every time he could. When all was said and done Tlusty finished with a game-high six shots and a game-high five even-strength scoring chances. If he continues to generate quality shots at this rate he'll be rewarded accordingly.
4) I recently wrote that I'd like to see the Devils use a 3rd pairing of Eric Gelinas and David Schlemko more often more often and John Hynes elected to go with that duo against the B's.
They didn't log a ton of minutes but they were New Jersey's best possession pairing at even-strength and, for the most part, they did a good job of exiting the defensive zone in short order.
5) There may not have been a lot of offense in this game but I really enjoyed it from a viewers stand point. Both teams played smart, physical, tight-checking hockey and the goaltending was very good at both ends of the ice, too. It was fun to watch.
Prospect Updates
1) Mackenzie Blackwood pitched a shutout in Canada's 1-0 win over Pavel Zacha and Team Czech Republic in pre-tournament play.
He will miss Canada's first two preliminary round games due to suspension (he was likely only going to start one, anyway) but I think he should be the starter when he returns. His junior numbers are far superior to Mason McDonald's and he certainly didn't hurt his cause with a clean sheet against Czech.
2) John Quenneville survived the last round of cuts and has made Team Canada. There are no shortage of offensive weapons on the team so I expect him to play a checking line-type role and see some time on the penalty kill.