The New Jersey Devils' three-game winning streak came to an end in disappointing fashion on Monday night as they were blanked by the Detroit Red Wings on home soil.
Some thoughts on the loss:
1) Despite the end result I thought the Devils actually played pretty well. They won the shot attempt battle 48-35, the scoring chance battle 26-18 and did have some sustained pressure in the offensive zone than the Wings.
The Devils didn't get a ton of high-end scoring opportunities (War-On-Ice credited New Jersey with four, Detroit with six) but they had no shortage of pretty good looks throughout. They just didn't convert. That's bound to happen, though, given their lack of offensive firepower; especially with Mike Cammalleri out of the lineup.
2) One thing I really noticed - especially in the 2nd half of the game - was Detroit's aggressiveness attacking Devils puck carriers. They were all over them in the neutral zone and whenever the Devils broke through and gained Detroit's line there were always one or two white shirts in their face forcing the issue. The Red Wings played a pretty smothering style of hockey and, though the Devils did get some chances, they did a nice job of keeping shots to the outside and limiting their Grade A chances.
3) Adam Larsson had a really strong game against the Wings. The Devils were rarely chasing play when he was on the ice despite playing primarily against the Pavel Datsyuk line and Niklas Kronwall pairing.
With Larsson on the ice at 5 v 5 the Devils won the shot attempt battle 23-7 (76CF%). Larsson also led the Devils with three scoring chances and seven shot attempts.
4) Cory Schneider was once again excellent but the one goal he conceded proved to be too much as the offensively challenged Devils failed to give him any support. Schneider has been excellent all year but has really turned it up a notch of late. In his last three starts he has stopped 85-88 (.965SV%) and looked fantastic while doing it.
5) Credit where it's due: the Bobby Farnham - Stephen Gionta - Jordin Tootoo line was pretty good. They combined for four scoring chances, five hits and were a positive line in possession. That's about all you could ask from those guys.
6) A handful of Devils were good last night. Damon Severson was not one of those guys. He had a couple careless giveaways and struggled to create much of anything offensively. He needs to be better.
Prospect Update
Devils prospect Connor Chatham was traded from the Flint Firebirds to the Windsor Spitfires on Monday afternoon.
The Spitfires are 4th in the West in points but lead their division so they sit 2nd in the West. They are a very good team built off physical, 200-foot players and Chatham should be a good fit there.
Flint, on the other hand, is five points out of a playoff spot and stand zero chance of getting by Erie, Windsor, London or any of the West's top teams if they make it so it makes sense for them to sell off some assets; especially assets like Chatham that won't be in the OHL next season.
Chatham will debut with the Spitfires on Thursday night against Owen Sound.
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