Devils Notes: Hurricanes Loss & Markström

The New Jersey Devils played well in 1-0 OT loss to the Carolina Hurricanes. Plus, a significant update on Jacob Markström, via Elliotte Friedman

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Just when you thought "1-0, them" couldn't be a bit more painful, it finds a way to hurt a little more. The New Jersey Devils played a solid game against the Carolina Hurricanes, but they couldn't find the back of the net in a 1-0 overtime loss. 

Here are a couple of takeaways from the game. Plus, a significant update from Elliotte Friedman on the Devils' pursuit of Jacob Markström. 

Devils' Effort Was There

The Devils have had trouble with the Hurricanes for the last couple of seasons, but they went toe to toe with them yesterday evening. They were structurally sound in the defensive zone, which helped Vitek Vaněček put up one of his best performances of the season. 

You have to be sharp with your puck management against a Hurricanes team that likes to use their pace to get in on the forecheck. But the Hurricanes had more trouble with giveaways, not the Devils. New Jersey also didn't have as many problems breaking out of the defensive zone, which was a positive sign. 

Offensively, the Devils were able to generate some opportunities, though perhaps not enough. They had just four high-danger chances at five-on-five for the game, but their power play is where they created some of their best scoring chances. 

The Devils had five high-danger chances on the man advantage, including a couple of grade-A opportunities at the doorstep. They generated nearly a full expected goal when up a man against one of the best penalty kills in the NHL. They just couldn't find the back of the net. 

Coach Lindy Ruff said afterward that the Devils played "a heck of a hockey game." "Our details were good. We took away time and space, generated the opportunities we needed to. We just couldn't finish."

Everything but what they needed was there. Fortunately, they got a point. We'll see how much that matters in the long run, with the Devils' playoff chances looking bleak this morning. But perhaps it's something to build on for a week that will likely determine if they can make a run toward a playoff spot. 

Vaněček Silenced Everyone