The New Jersey Devils entered Tuesday's game against the Arizona Coyotes looking to extend their point-streak to three games and extend Arizona's losing skid to three games in the process.
They needed overtime but the Devils did just that as Travis Zajac put the team on his back and carried them to victory with a three point night.
Some thoughts:
1) Travis Zajac was unquestionably the best player on the ice last night. From start to finish he was involved at both ends as he broke up several plays in the defensive zone on top of scoring and adding two assists. He was also a 68% possession player despite starting just 33% of his shifts in the offensive zone and primarily playing against Max Domi's line. By all accounts he was a beast last night.
2) I thought Mike Cammalleri played a real solid game as well. He scored, had a game-high eight(!) shots on goal and a game-high four scoring chances during 5 vs 5 play. The Devils need these kind of performances from him because they're not getting much from their depth guys.
3) Adam Larsson also played one of the best games of his career. The former 4th overall pick scored the game-winning-goal, added an assist and logged a team-high 23:55 (including 6:32 on the penalty kill). He's really coming into his own and becoming one of the team's most important players.
4) They did get one last night but only three of New Jersey's 11 goals have come at full strength (5 vs 5). That's a little worrisome considering most of every game is spent in that game state. They need to generate more.
5) Over the last three games the Devils have taken a then undefeated Sharks team to a shootout and picked up wins over the Rangers and the Coyotes. That's five of a possible six points against some pretty good teams.
6) Stefan Matteau was rather ineffective against the 'Yotes. He played just over seven minutes and his most notable event was taking a minor penalty. He's only 21 so it's too early to give up on him but as each game passes it looks more and more like he'll be a 4th liner for his career.
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