Perhaps their watches were still set to Eastern Standard Time, but whatever the excuse, the lackluster starts of NJ in the last two games has completely wiped the taste of winning hockey from the mouths of Devils fans.
After Tuesday’s game in Colorado I rushed myself to the Emergency Room for a tetanus shot after all of the rust that Jacob Markstrom threw in my eyes. Markstrom who appeared to be in his Halloween costume as the un-oiled version of the Tin Man from the Wizard of Oz, was lost in the forest from the early going. With Dorothy and the oil can nowhere in sight, Markstrom put the Devils in an early hole. Shooting a puck over the glass on his first touch only 18 seconds in, allowing a goal on the ensuing power play and another just minutes later gave Colorado all the momentum they needed and take over the game. Despite a surge by NJ in the second period, it was near impossible to win in this league when you spot any team the first five goals, let alone Colorado. A four goal in four minute span got the Devils back in it, but it was too little too late. No worries they'll surely come out strong versus San Jose on Thursday…
Nope, same nonsense. An awful pinch by Siegenthaler to start the game leads to another early goal against for NJ, this time at just 42 seconds in. Siegs needs to be way more aware in that situation. I’m sure the bulk of the prep for this game had to be about maintaining the structure that had them on an eight game win streak. A veteran leader, your rock on D (especially with Pesce out) does the complete opposite, bad bounce or not, inexcusable. A few more unfortunate plays, a bad penalty for too many men and a failed clearing attempt or two and before you know it it’s a 3-1 deficit going into the tunnel at the end of the first period.
For the second game in a row, the Devils woke up late and came out in the second period buzzin. Jack and Bratt were flying, despite being anchored to the ice by a six foot, 190 pound Ondrej Palat, who was in his ever so believable, snakebitten Erik Haula costume. Two more seeing eye shots by the Sharks and it’s an embarrassing, 5-1 after two.
Early in the third it became very evident as San Jose, with a bigger cushion than an overdone BBL, entered prevent mode. A clogged neutral zone made it near impossible for the Devils to generate the offense needed to make the game respectable. San Jose with zero shots in the entire third period (the second time the Devils have done that to them in a period in the past week) cruised the rest of the way, killing the clock ina way Jaxson Dart and Brian Dabol would be very envious of.
Why You Must Start On Time
The Devils have been in 5-0 and 5-1 second period holes in the last two games. An absolute atrocity. These deficits are impossible to overcome, unless the opponent completely fails, here’s why…
- The second you’re trailing you allow the lead team to instill their style of play
- They can play tighter defensively and no longer need to take any risks
- The trailing team, especially when it’s multiple goal deficits, must push the play, taking more risks, and in some cases abandoning structure leading to odd man opportunities for the opposition
- Despite solid play, your effort to get back into the game can be erased by one bad bounce.
- When you must play error free hockey, you often make even more errors than usual
- Goalies relax, play calm, see pucks better and make better decisions
Ondrej Palat
Enough is enough. Palat needs to be outside of the top six. Injuries or not.
This guy cannot bury. He’d be an awful squirrel, dog with a bone, Undertaker, and most importantly line mate for Jack Hughes and Jesper Bratt going forward.
Dawson Mercer
He must read my work. Amazing start to the season by 91. Two more goals on Thursday night, playing great in all zones. LEt's hope he keeps it going.
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