Despite a highly mediocre performance against the New York Islanders on Saturday the New Jersey Devils managed to squeeze out a win for the sixth time in their last eight games.
The Devils have now picked up 13 of a possible 16 points since opening the season with three consecutive losses.
Some thoughts:
1) It certainly wasn't the Devils' best effort and they admittedly left a lot to be desired on the offensive side of the puck, however, they still out-chanced New York 12-10 at even-strength and had four more high danger chances, according to War-On-Ice. When you get more chances than the opposition and have a goaltender of Cory Schneider's caliber between the pipes you're going to win more often than not. That was the case on Saturday afternoon.
2) Through 10 games New Jersey scored just eight goals at 5 vs 5. They managed to pot a pair against the Islanders as Bobby Farnham(!) and John Moore both scored their first of the season at evens. I wouldn't expect much in terms of full-strength offense from either of those guys but it is encouraging that someone other than Mike Cammalleri and Adam Henrique did something during 5 vs 5 play.
3) Lee Stempniak continues to be one of the league's best bargains in the early going. After tallying an assist against the Isles he now has eight points in 11 games and has fired 25 shots on goal in the process. If/when the Devils fall out of the race he's going to be an attractive piece at $850,000.
4) Eric Gelinas had seven shifts in the 1st period but played a team-low three in the 2nd, three in the 3rd and didn't touch the ice in overtime. It's pretty clear that John Hynes isn't his biggest fan but I do like that he continues to dress on a nightly basis and is one of the team's leaders in PP time on ice.
5) Cory Schneider was good once again stopping 24-26 and three of four in the shootout. After a couple solid outings in a row his save percentage is back up to .919 on the year and I expect it will climb a little higher.
Prospect Updates - Joseph Blandisi recorded four assists - all primary(!) - in Albany's 6-1 win over Utica. After a slow start to the year with the A-Devs he has caught fire of late as he is currently riding a three-game point streak and has six points in that span.
- Pavel Zacha was held pointless for the second consecutive game. He's off to a somewhat slow start in Sarnia having recorded just eight points in nine games. It's not as if he's getting a ton of chances and failing to convert, either, as he's shooting 19% on the year. I'd like to see and expect a lot more from him.
- Defenseman Josh Jacobs scored his 1st OHL goal in Sarnia's 4-2 loss to Erie. He's up to seven points in 14 games on the year.
- Mackenzie Blackwood made his worst start of the year on Saturday allowing six goals on 31 shots in a 6-5 loss to Hamilton. Blackwood still has an impressive .921 save percentage in 13 starts on the year.
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