Last night in Raleigh, the Devils played one of their best games in Carolina in recent memory, but to no avail. As they do, the Canes threw everything at the net and it once again worked. Out puck possessed for the majority of the night, Jersey kept it close the whole way. Goals by Dougie Hamilton, Cody Glass and Jesper Bratt re-tied the game on three separate occasions, but NJ could never get the lead. While the game was knotted at three late in the third, the 6-3 final and another loss to Carolina still stings.
Quick Hits
- Has Dougie Hamilton returned to top form? With trade rumors swirling and injuries nagging over the last few years, Hamilton, or Demolition Dougie(as we will call him after that huge first period hit) looked great in game one.
- Considering the upcoming schedule gauntlet the Devils have on the docket, it would have been nice to steal one from the Canes last night. The Devils visit Tampa on Saturday followed by games at Columbus, vs Florida, vs Edmonton, a road home back to with Toronto and Minnesota, then they have home/road matchup with both San Jose(the bread) and Colorado(the meat). Gotta carb load and get to November where the schedule lightens a bit.
- Luke Hughes getting physical and using his reach/speed combo. Despite missing most of camp, Luke looked much improved. Notably smearing out Jarvis early in the game with some added snarl that was lacking last season.
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