Devils Had No Juice in 4-0 Shutout Loss to Avalanche
The New Jersey Devils started well but flatlined after the Colorado Avalanche took a 2-0 lead in the first period
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These New Jersey Devils. When they look good, they look like they can beat any team in the NHL. But when they have an off night, they look as they did in the 4-0 shutout loss to the Colorado Avalanche yesterday evening.
That was the fifth time the Devils have been shut out in their 12 losses this season and the third time they've gotten shut out on home ice. Now, they'll have to regroup quickly with the Toronto Maple Leafs in town tomorrow night.
Devils Started Well But Flatlined After Going Down 2-0
The Devils didn't get off to a bad start in this one. They looked like the fresher team the first few shifts, especially when the Jack Hughes line was on the ice. But as has been the case on home ice lately, one bad mistake led to them falling behind.
Shots and chances favored the Devils through the first five to seven minutes, but Brenden Dillon lost coverage on Ross Colton, who was alone in front of Jake Allen in the crease. Allen had no chance, and the Avalanche went up 1-0.
For a moment, it looked like Jesper Bratt tied the game, but the puck clearly came off a high stick from Bratt. He didn't even argue the call because it was obvious.
There was some bad luck on that goal, but it looked like the Devils tied it again when Timo Meier knocked in a loose puck. Unfortunately, the refs waved off the goal immediately. The call was upheld after a review, even though it never looked like Scott Wedgewood had the puck covered; replay also showed the whistle blew after the puck went in.
Had the call on the ice been a good goal, it probably would have stood. Again, a bit of bad luck, but there wasn't much of a response from the Devils after that.
After dominating for the first five to seven minutes of the game, the Devils flatlined, especially in the second period. They generated 1.54 expected goals at five-on-five in the first period but just 0.08 in the second. You could argue it was their worst period of hockey this season.
The Devils did find their legs a bit in the third period. Bratt had a breakaway in the opening minute off a beautiful setup from Jack Hughes but couldn't find the back of the net after Sam Girard hooked him. The Devils couldn't score on the ensuing power play, and that felt like it was it.
That could have changed the momentum and helped the Devils get back in the game. But even the power play, which has been scorching hot, couldn't help give the Devils some life in the third. It just wasn't meant to be.
Devils Have Had Some Bad Luck on Home Ice
The Devils got this homestand started on the right foot when they beat the Seattle Kraken 3-2 on Friday night, but their home-ice struggles continued yesterday.
There are still three more games left on his homestand, with two tough tilts against the Maple Leafs and Los Angeles Kings. I know the Devils aren't getting enough wins at home, but I don't think they're playing that poorly at the Prudential Center.
Some of it has been bad luck. Last night, they outplayed the Avalanche for the first five to seven minutes before having their one breakdown in those five minutes that led to a goal against. That game probably looks different if they capitalize early or one of the two goals doesn't get called back.
Or take the 3-0 shutout to the St. Louis Blues. Nico Hischier got tripped right off the opening faceoff, but there was no call, and the Blues scored nine seconds into the game. That's bad luck, too.
I wrote about it earlier this week, but the Devils' numbers at home have been better than they have on the road, even when you adjust for score effects. Goaltending wasn't the problem last night, but their .875 save percentage at home means they need more saves at the Prudential Center.
Once that comes around, their fortunes at home should start changing. Plus, some of the bad luck they've had at the start of games at home should reverse, too. Opponents aren't going to continue scoring on their first shot of the game at Prudential Center, and the Devils won't have two goals waved off very often. There should be better days ahead on home ice.
Quick Hits
The Brenden Dillon and Dougie Hamilton pairing is full chaos, and you'll just have to live with it. On their best nights, they're creating plenty of offense. On their worst nights, they're chaotic defensively as they were against the Avalanche. As mentioned, Dillon lost coverage on Colton's goal, but also got puck-watching after Hamilton made a turnover in the neutral zone that led to Artturi Lehkonen's breakaway goal. It was one of those nights for this pairing, as they were the Devils' bottom two skaters in Game Score.
Nathan Légaré has been decent in the few games he's played for the Devils, but they need some reinforcements on the fourth line. The good news is Nathan Bastian has been cleared for full participation to practice. He hasn't gotten game clearance yet, but his return must be nearing. He should help reinforce the Devils' fourth line until general manager Tom Fitzgerald hits the trade market for help.
The Devils may have lost 4-0, but the Jonas Siegenthaler and Johnathan Kovacevic pairing locked down the Nathan MacKinnon line. The Devils had a 76.02 expected goals share (xG%) with Kovacevic on the ice against MacKinnon and an 82.82 xG% with Siegenthaler on the ice versus MacKinnon. They did their part in shutting down the Avalanche's top players. There was just no goal support for their strong defensive effort.
Game Score Chart
Advanced stats from Natural Stat Trick