The New Jersey Devils entered Thursday's game against the Ottawa Senators on a three-game point-streak and two-game winning streak.
Both looked to be in serious jeopardy late in the 3rd as with six minutes to go the Devils trailed by a pair.
They managed to score twice in the final 5:50 to tie things up before eventually winning in a shootout(!).
Some thoughts on the win and what we've seen of late:
1) Prior to the season many had penciled the Devils in as a team that'd compete for last in the NHL. After three games the Devils certainly looked the part of a bottom feeder but they seem to be taking themselves out of that conversation with their recent play.
Over the last four games the Devils are 3-0-1 with wins over the Rangers, Coyotes, Senators and a shootout loss to a then undefeated Sharks team. They've been outplayed at times and have had some hiccups but Cory Schneider has done a great job of cleaning up the mess in front of him when necessary. The Devils have rewarded him with some more goal support as a result. That's a good recipe.
2) Before the year I wrote that Adam Henrique has more to give offensively than he's shown in recent years. It's still early but I'm feeling pretty good about that prediction as through seven games he has six points and 17 shots on goal. John Hynes has been spoon feeding Henrique minutes - he's played 20+ in four straight games - and No. 14 has made the most of them. His line (Cammalleri - Henrique - Stempniak) as a whole has been excellent since being put together.
3) Look for Eric Gelinas to sit in the press box next time out. The Devils actually outshot the Senators with Gelinas on the ice but he had two bad turnovers that ended up in the back of New Jersey's net just seconds later. Coaches don't like the big mistake and he made a pair of them in short order so it's safe to say he'll pay the price for that.
4) Lee Stempniak has to be one of the best bargains in the NHL right now. He's making just $850K and has six points in seven games while logging important minutes in all situations. I was on board with the signing since Day 1 but even I didn't expect this. He's going to be an attractive piece around the deadline if the Devils are out of the playoff race.
5) I have to wonder how much longer Stefan Matteau will remain in the lineup. He doesn't have a point on the year, has taken a couple bad penalties and over the last three games he has played 5:05, 7:10 and 6:48. I think he'd be better served in Albany but he'd need waivers to get down there and I doubt the Devils want to risk exposing him to 29 other teams unless they're absolutely certain he can't contribute in any way, shape or form. Losing a 2012 1st round pick for nothing wouldn't be a good look.
Prospect Updates - Pavel Zacha scored and had four shots on goal in a 6-3 loss to the Kitchener Rangers. He has six points in six games since returning to Sarnia and is currently riding a five-game point streak.
- Josh Jacobs was held off the scoresheet and didn't register a shot in Sarnia's 6-3 loss.
- Connor Chatham had a couple good chances early and was physical but was held off the scoresheet in an 8-5 loss to the Barrie Colts.
- Mackenzie Blackwood didn't have his best game as he stopped just 31 of 36 in Barrie's win over Flint. In saying that he was certainly left on an island at times as two of the goals came on breakaways and one was on an odd-man rush where the defender didn't rush the shooter or take away the passing lane. Blackwood has a .937 save percentage through nine starts.
- John Quenneville's numbers through eight games: six goals, 14 points. That'll do.
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