Wanna blog? Start your own hockey blog with My HockeyBuzz. Register for free today!
 

Blue Jackets 4, Devils 1: Five observations from an ugly loss

January 16, 2019, 10:13 AM ET [21 Comments]
Todd Cordell
New Jersey Devils Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
Follow me on Twitter @ToddCordell

Five observations from New Jersey vs Columbus:

1. Net-front defense was awful

This continues to be an issue on a nightly basis. It feels like it, anyway. Of the four goals Columbus potted, three were scored just outside the paint. Whether it stemmed from a turnover, a set piece off a faceoff, or regular zone play, the Devils struggled mightily to stick with their man. Blue Jackets forwards were consistently able to shake loose and find open space in dangerous areas around the net. Making matters worse is, often times, it was their best forwards. Damon Severson had a really tough night – and was benched accordingly – but other established defenders like Andy Greene and Sami Vatanen were also burned on the same type of plays. It was an ugly effort across the board.

2. The Devils didn't test Korpisalo

Since the beginning of 2017-18, 57 goaltenders have spent at least 1,500 minutes between the pipes. Korpisalo ranks 53rd with a .899 save percentage during that time. The only goaltenders he has out-performed are Cam Ward, Mike Condon, Chad Johnson, and Scott Darling. Korpisalo is not very good. He's just not. And the Devils barely tested him at all. Despite trailing for all but 45 seconds, they mustered up only five high-danger chances in ~52 minutes of 5v5 play. It never really felt like Korpisalo was uncomfortable.

3. Keith Kinkaid's trade value continues to plummet

Some will say he never held any. That's simply not true. Kinkaid put together a really strong 2nd half last season, which would have helped draw interest. He followed that up by starting this year really well. As of late November, Kinkaid owned a .916 save percentage. That was well above league average this season and a better number than the likes of Sergei Bobrovsky, Connor Hellebuyck, Braden Holtby, Marc-Andre Fleury and Carey Price.

If the Devils were out of the race – like they are now – Kinkaid was playing well enough to help them land a decent draft pick. Now? They'll be lucky to get much of anything.

After another tough night in Columbus, Kinkaid's save percentage sits at .899 for the year. He has posted a sub .900SV% in 12 of his last 17 starts and owns the worst save percentage in the league during that span. Beyond the bad numbers, he has looked horrendous. The confidence is non-existent and he looks like a fish out of water on many goals. If this continues, he'll hold more value to the Devils (#tank) than anything he'd fetch in a trade.

4. Blake Coleman stayed hot

This guy just doesn't stop. On a night where very little went right, Coleman's play was once again a positive. He finished tied for the team-lead with three scoring chances at 5v5 and scored the lone goal on a nice deflection. Was that enough to get him a regular shift on the power play? Of course not, but he did get 13 seconds! Maybe we're inching closer. Maybe...

5. The penalty kill was strong

Though the Devils did concede a power play goal to Pierre-Luc Dubois, it was another good night for the penalty killers. Why? They didn't give up a scoring chance in 4:17 of action (Dubois' goal was from a distance). The Devils generated a chance, though, and a high-danger one at that! This concludes the *very* short list of positives from last night.

Recent Posts

On Zacha's streakiness, Coleman's strong play, and Hischier without Hall

The Devils should trade Kinkaid prior to the deadline

On Hynes being extended by the Devils

Zacha's offensive play leaves little room for optimism

Predicting the Metro Division standings in 2018-19
Join the Discussion: » 21 Comments » Post New Comment
More from Todd Cordell
» Thank you
» On the Chayka rumors and finalists for the Devils' GM job
» Notes on quotes from Lindy Ruff's appearance on 31 Thoughts
» The New Jersey Devils may not have hired the coach they wanted
» Notes on quotes from Ruff, Fitzgerald, and Devils ownership