Devils' 4-0 Win vs. Islanders: Kähkönen Shines
Kaapo Kähkönen's excellent 37-save shutout helped power the New Jersey Devils to an impressive 4-0 win over the New York Islanders
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The New Jersey Devils needed a response after a disappointing outing against the Ottawa Senators, and they sure got one. Led by Kaapo Kähkönen's 37-save shutout, the Devils trounced the Islanders 4-0 and kept their slim playoff hopes alive. Here are three takeaways from the victory.
Kähkönen Was Outstanding
Kähkönen was just a throw-in in the trade that sent Vitek Vaněček to the San Jose Sharks, but his play, even before the trade, suggested he was more than just a throw-in. It was only his third start with the Devils and the first time he got the nod in eight days, but he was sharp right from the get-go.
It started in the first period when the Islanders got back-to-back power plays. Right then and there, the Devils could have fallen behind the eight-ball, but Kähkönen stood tall, making timely saves on Bo Horvat and Pierre Engvall to keep the score level at 0-0.
That wasn't Kähkönen's best of the first period, though. Shortly after the Islanders' consecutive power plays, the Devils received consecutive power plays, one of which was a 5-on-3 for about 40 seconds. Unfortunately, the best chance of that 5-on-3 came on a shorthanded breakaway from Adam Pelech. He got in on Kähkönen clean, but Kähkönen robbed Pelech by flashing the leather to keep it 0-0.
I don't think there's any question that if Pelech scored on that shorthanded chance, it would have deflated the Devils, and the game could have looked much different. We've talked about timely saves here and on Twitter plenty this season. It's something the Devils have not gotten enough, but that stop by Kähkönen was one of the best the team has received in 2023-24.
There was plenty of good from Kähkönen following the first period, too. The Devils started the second frame quickly, with goals from Timo Meier and Jack Hughes to go up 2-0 before Alex Holtz made it 3-0 off a sweet pass from Šimon Nemec, but Kähkönen faced plenty of work afterward.
Perhaps Kähkönen's best came in the third period when he denied Casey Cizikas in tight with the blocker. There was still plenty of time left when he made that stop, so it could've given the Islanders some life had they scored. But after that save, it seemed like Kähkönen was destined for a shutout.
The Finnish netminder made 37/37 saves while stopping 4.09 goals above expected. It was the first shutout by a Devils goalie this season, and his 4.09 goals saved above expected was the best by a Devils netminder, too. Jake Allen has also been excellent for the Devils, but I can't imagine interim coach Travis Green doesn't turn to Kähkönen against the Toronto Maple Leafs tomorrow night.
Meier's Gordie Howe Hat Trick
I think we have enough of a sample now to say Timo Time is back. Meier has been playing well for a while, even since before the Devils fired Lindy Ruff. But he's now playing his best hockey and helping lead the Devils to wins more often.
Meier had quite an eventful day. It started by converting on the Devils' 5-on-3 power play to start the second period on a beautiful pass from Jack Hughes. He followed that up by collecting the primary assist on Hughes' snipe to make it a 2-0 game.
But perhaps Meier's best came when Anders Lee laid a dirty hit on Nico Hischier late in the second. Meier immediately dropped the gloves and stood up for the captain for the hit, which resulted in a major penalty and a game misconduct for Lee. He's not a dirty player, but that was a bad hit, so it was good to see Meier answer for it.
Meier got five for fighting, a two-minute minor for instigating, and a 10-minute misconduct. But it was worth it, with the team already up 3-0. And it completed the Gordie Howe hat trick, the Devils' first Gordie Howe hat trick since Sergei Kalinin had one in 2016.
I doubt Meier's streak leads the Devils to the playoffs, but it is good to see him healthy and contributing how many of us thought he would at the start of the season. That's a positive to close 2023-24, even if it doesn't result in postseason play.
Hughes Brothers Shined Again
Jack Hughes deserves a lot of credit for how he's playing right now. He might not be dominating at five-on-five, but he's still finding ways to impact the game. He totaled three points in the 4-1 win against the Winnipeg Jets and was a factor in defeating the Islanders.
As mentioned, Hughes made a great seam pass to Meier around the net front on Meier's power-play goal. Three Islanders running into each other helped create the odd-man rush that led to Hughes' goal, but make no mistake, his shot was a snipe on Ilya Sorokin.
According to Money Puck, Hughes' tally had an expected goals of just 0.06. But not many goalies will stop a shooter of Hughes' caliber on an odd-man rush like that when he can pick his corner, even a netminder of Sorokin's stature.
Just like the Jets game, Jack wasn't the only Hughes brother with a strong performance. Luke Hughes continued his run of solid play, finishing with an assist and a career-high six shots on goal. He also had ten shot attempts and two scoring chances at all strengths.
It's something that the Devils' broadcast team has pointed out, but it sure seems like Green and the coaching staff have told Luke to start firing the puck away. He's been effective in doing so, as he's getting pucks through traffic much more frequently than earlier in the season.
Jack led all skaters with a Game Score of 3.32 yesterday, while Luke posted a Game Score of 1.43. I'm not #TeamTank, even if the playoffs are likely out of reach. But seeing Jack and Luke Hughes finish the season strong is easily something to root for.
Quick Hits
Nick DeSimone's underlying numbers weren't great last night, but I thought he played a solid game. He moves the puck quickly in the defensive zone and skates well. If he keeps up his play, it wouldn't surprise me if the Devils brought him back to be a depth defender for next season.
Prime Nemec has the potential to be something special. On Holtz's goal, he won a 50/50 battle along the boards and then showed patience once he controlled the puck. That patience sold Sorokin on the shot, but Nemec fired a crisp cross-ice pass to Holtz, who had an open net to score. It's not the first time Nemec has made a play like that, so I expect it to become more frequent once he further develops.
Game Score Chart
Advanced stats from Natural Stat Trick, Hockey Stat Cards
Alex - if you could only have one of them on the Devils for the next 10yrs: Nemec or L. Hughes?