Hischier Wills Devils to a Point in 6-5 OT Loss to Capitals
The New Jersey Devils likely don't secure a point without Nico Hischier's 3-point game against the Washington Capitals
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Nico Hischier showed why he's the New Jersey Devils' captain. The team wasn't at their best in a 6-5 overtime loss to the Washington Capitals, but Hischier's three-point game willed the Devils to a point to move them to 5-2-1 on the season.
You have to love the Devils' effort to come back from two goals down twice to secure a point. But as Hischier and Sheldon Keefe alluded to after the game, that performance on home ice was unacceptable. Here are three takeaways from the loss.
Hischier Looks Poised for Huge Season
First, let's start with the good from last night's game, which was Hischier (and his linemates, too). Down 3-1 entering the second period, Hischier singlehandedly tied the game at 3-3 with two goals ten seconds apart, setting a franchise record for the fastest consecutive goals scored by the same player.
On his first goal, Hischier found the open space in the slot and received a beautiful pass from behind the net via Stefan Noesen. He one-timed the puck past Logan Thompson, who had no chance on that one.
Hischier's second goal was a hard-working effort emblematic of wearing the C on his sweater. He won the ensuing faceoff after his first goal, chased the puck down on the forecheck after Dawson Mercer dumped it into the zone, won a 50/50 battle against Trevor van Riemsdyk, then roofed the puck past Thompson after Timo Meier deflected the puck onto his stick.
That wasn't the last we heard from Hischier, though. He got the second comeback started in the third period after the Capitals regained a two-goal lead at 5-3. He made a beautiful cross-ice pass to Mercer on the rush in the offensive zone, which Mercer fired past Thompson.
Not only did Hischier total three points, but he won 63 percent of his faceoffs. He may have made a bad line change in overtime that led to the Capitals' game-winning goal, but you can't fault Hischier. The Devils would not have secured a point without him.
It's also worth noting that Keefe seems to have found something with the Meier, Hischier and Mercer line. They finished with an expected goals share (xG%) of 80.77 percent, the second game in a row where their xG% was above 70 percent.
Meier had a three-assist night, and Mercer again looked like a capable top-six winger; his goal was his first on a goalie this season. There are things to figure out with the rest of the top six, but Meier, Hischier and Mercer don't look like they're going anywhere any time soon.
Devils Played a Sloppy Game
Ok, now for the bad. The Devils' puck management looked a bit like it did last season, as their decision-making with the puck was not great. There were a couple of instances where I muttered to myself, "What's happening out there?"
Meier made one play in the second period in the defensive zone that nearly resulted in a terrible goal against. He had the puck on his stick but completely bobbled it. Fortunately, he recovered and stole the puck right back before any damage could occur.
Just after that, Jonas Siegenthaler and Šimon Nemec mishandled the puck, forcing Jacob Markström to make a save on a quality Alex Ovechkin chance.
On Dylan Strome's goal that gave the Capitals a 5-3 lead, Ondřej Palát made a good breakout pass to Jesper Bratt, but Bratt misfired on his pass attempt to Jack Hughes. The puck never left the defensive zone, and the Capitals made the Devils pay.
It was that kind of night for the Devils. Keefe mentioned after the game that the schedule may be getting to the team and not just Seamus Casey. That might seem crazy to say on Oct. 19, but the Devils just played six games in ten days (as Keefe mentioned) and started the season in Europe.
It won't get easier, as the Devils have four games in seven days this coming week. But it's been a rigorous early-season schedule for the team, so I wouldn't be shocked if a little fatigue is settling in already. That may be part of why they weren't as sharp last night.
Palát Continues to Struggle Mightily
It's been tough sledding for Palát to begin 2024-25, and last night was not a step in the right direction. He almost scored his first goal of the season in the first period when he had a breakaway after the Capitals tied it to make it 1-1, but Thompson denied him.
Unfortunately, it was downhill for Palát after that. He was on the ice for two goals against and finished with an xG% of 38.22 percent. He also finished with the second-worst Game Score among Devils skaters.
Keefe moved Palát up to a line with Hughes and Bratt in the second period after Paul Cotter struggled there, but the results were still not great; Palát, Hughes and Bratt finished with an xG% of 38.2 percent.
The Devils have been outscored 7-1 with Palát on the ice this season. He has the worst xG% (32.18 percent) among Devils skaters, and pretty much any line he's been on has gotten crushed.
There's no easy solution because of his no-move clause, but he's been a massive liability to start 2024-25. If this continues 15-20 games into the season, Keefe will have to consider healthy scratching him and giving someone like Brian Halonen or Nolan Foote a chance on the fourth line.
Quick Hits
The Cotter experiment on Hughes and Bratt's combo did not work well last night. Keefe has tried Meier, Cotter and Palát on that line, but to no avail. Part of it is because Hughes is not at his best right now, but Keefe needs to find a solution there. Perhaps it's Tomáš Tatar's turn?
Jacob Markström gave up six goals on 3.07 expected goals and was just 4/9 on high-danger shots. Still, that was more about the Devils' play in front of him and less about his performance in net. They can't be that sloppy and expect Markström to bail them out every time.
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Game Score Chart
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