Tuesday night the Devils fell to the Blue Jackets in what was perhaps the strangest and most unpredictable game of the season.
Despite the Devils' well noted struggles to score goals and the fact the Blue Jackets were in the second game of a back-to-back situation, the game was much more run-and-gun style than it was a defensive struggle - which is what we all expected.
After trading goals in the first seven minutes of the game, the Devils opened things up in the 2nd period scoring two goals in the first four minutes to jump out to a 3-1 lead.
If you've watched any Devils games this season you'd think that'd be more than enough to win, but given the team's uncanny ability to do the unexpected and make things difficult, they blew the lead within the next five minutes of play.
The two teams then traded goals in the 3rd period before Nick Foligno scored the eventual game winner with 91 seconds to play in regulation.
Travis Zajac, Damien Brunner (2) and Michael Ryder scored for the Devils while Martin Brodeur stopped just 18-23, which was a big factor in the loss.
10 notes:
1. This was by no means a must-win game, but it was definitely winnable and one the Devils certainly should have had. Given the team's lack of scoring this season, they can not afford to lose games, especially in regulation, when they find twine four times. The defense did have a few too many breakdowns and a couple goals were off deflections, fluky bounces, etc. but allowing five goals on 23 shots is unacceptable. Brodeur had a lot of goal support, and he couldn't come up with a big stop, or even routine save, when it mattered most late in the 3rd period. The Devils outshot the Blue Jackets 18-5 in the 3rd and were outscored 2-1. That can't happen.
2. I respect Anton Volchenkov's fiery spirit and the way he puts his body in danger to help the team, but he is playing some awful hockey right now and is really hurting the team. I don't know what has happened, but Volchenkov went from a good defenseman, to an OK one to a flat out bad player. He can't keep up with anyone and watching him play you'd think he was skating around the defensive zone blindfolded. He needs to a) be much better or; b) find a seat in the press box.
3. Pete DeBoer's favorite son, Pete Harrold, is injured worse than originally thought and will walk around in a boot for the next week before being re-evaluated. This means if Bryce Salvador, who is nearing return, can't play on Friday than Volchenkov will remain in the lineup against Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and the Penguins. Let's hope that's not the case.
4. Sticking with injury news, Ryane Clowe has been fully cleared by doctor's to practice and play in game situations. That said, he won't play Friday as Lou Lamoriello and co. are being extra careful. Nothing official, but I expect Clowe will sit out the back-to-back this weekend then make his return Wednesday the 18th at home against the Senators.
5. I thought Reid Boucher looked good once again. He played a career-high 15:33, recorded his 2nd career assist, had a couple hits and posted a team-high Corsi rating of 73.3% in the process. He didn't register a shot on net, though, which is OK but can't happen regularly. He has a lethal shot and needs to use it.
6. Eric Gelinas continues to do Eric Gelinas things. The 22-year-old rookie had six shots, three hits and played 23:54, which was less than only Andy Greene among Devils' players. I think it's pretty safe to say No. 22 isn't going anywhere.
7. Pete DeBoer continues to lean on the team's young defenseman as the season goes on. Jon Merrill once again saw a lot of action as he finished with a hair under 21 minutes of ice. He has now played at least 20:30 in four consecutive games.
8. Damien Brunner and Patrik Elias brought back the preseason magic against Columbus. Brunner played his best game of the season finishing with two goals, three shots and a couple hits while Elias had a pair of assists to extend his point streak to four games. DeBoer kept that duo together in practice today which is a good sign they'll remain together against Pittsburgh. Brunner definitely has been inconsistent, but he has played his best hockey when lining up with Elias.
9. Michael Ryder has caught fire and has now found the net in four of the last five games. He has nine goals on the season thanks to his little streak and is on pace for just under 25 goals on the year. Ideally you'd like a little more, but that's not a bad number.
10. A lot of Devils fans are calling for DeBoer's head and have reached the conclusion that the team won't make the playoffs the season. My message to those folks is to relax. The Devils schedule is only getting easier as they have already completed their California road trip, their Western Canada road trip and have played 21 of their 41 road games in the first 32 games of the season. Even with that gruelling schedule and the barrage of injuries they've faced, they're two points out of a divisional playoff spot and are a couple wins out of a wild card spot, should they fail to finish top-3 in their devision. It's a long, long season and New Jersey has managed to stay in the race despite a lot going against them. Take a deep breath and have a little faith.
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