For the third time in as many games, the Devils blew a one-goal lead in the final two minutes of regulation that allowed the opposition to take the game to overtime.
Once again the Devils failed to regroup and collect a much needed 2nd point, as was the case Friday night in Nashville when Shea Weber powered the Predators to victory.
Colorado is a Western Conference team so allowing the game to go to overtime and losing doesn't hurt as much as it would if they were facing Detroit, Columbus, etc. but it still stings to allow another point to slip away in such a disappointing manner.
There's still plenty of time to make up for the points they let slip away, but the Devils' struggles to hold a lead late in game is a growing concern, and is something they've dealt with on and off all season long. If you don't recall, this was an issue dating back to their western Canada road trip at the beginning of the season.
Cory Schneider stopped 23-25 (.920SV%) and allowed two goals or less for the 11th time over his last 12 starts, but at some point the onus will fall solely on the players in front of him. He needs some goal support, and if he doesn't get some the Devils won't make the playoffs for the third time in four years.
That's something staring this organization right in the face, and is certainly a new trend to a team that made the playoffs every year for over a decade prior.
I'll be back with a new post tomorrow.
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- I recently posted my midseason rankings for the top-30 first-year NHL draft eligible players from the OHL. You can view that here.
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