Devils' 1-0 Loss to Flyers: Offense M.I.A.

The New Jersey Devils failed to play spoiler in a 1-0 loss to the Philadelphia Flyers, as their offense was missing in action.

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The New Jersey Devils had a chance to play spoiler yesterday and put the Philadelphia Flyers' playoff hopes to bed. But they couldn't do so in a mostly uninspired offensive performance in a 1-0 loss. Here are three takeaways ahead of tomorrow's finale against the New York Islanders. 

Devils Offense Has Gone Missing

These are not the same Devils from five weeks ago. Yes, that is a direct reference to how the team played under former head coach Lindy Ruff. Though I think it was time for them to move on from Ruff, interim coach Travis Green has not done the team any favors. 

Since the coaching change, the Devils have become a bottom-of-the-barrel five-on-five team. The Flyers play a suffocating style of hockey defensively, something the Devils have struggled against this season. But even against the trappiest of trap teams, the Devils would find a way to generate some offense under Ruff. 

Under Green, trying to find offense has been a struggle. The Devils generated 0.96 expected goals at five-on-five last night. Not even a full expected goal over an entire game is no bueno. They had just three high-danger chances at five-on-five, and there was a lot of one-and-done in the offensive zone. 

Even with a power play, they fired just 20 shots on goal, one of many games under Green where the team has finished with fewer than 25 shots. Sure, not having Jack Hughes and Dougie Hamilton doesn't help. But I think there's something more going on here than just missing players due to injuries.

Under Ruff, the Devils generated 2.92 expected goals per 60 at five-on-five. Keep in mind that Ruff did not have Hamilton or Hughes available for a good portion of the season due to injury. And yet, they found ways to create offense.