Devils' 3-1 Win vs. Kraken: All About Defense

The New Jersey Devils put forth another strong defensive effort en route to a 3-1 win over the Seattle Kraken.

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The New Jersey Devils got an important week off to a good start last night, defeating the Seattle Kraken 3-1. Here are three takeaways from the win ahead of tonight's tilt against the Nashville Predators as they hope to end their back-to-back woes and secure another two points. 

Devils Played Another Strong Defensive Game

That defensive effort in a 1-0 overtime loss to the Carolina Hurricanes over the weekend? It might not have been a fluke. The Devils got off to a strong start against the Kraken, and their defensive play in the first period was a significant reason. 

Tyler Toffoli got the Devils on the board with a power-play goal to make it 1-0, ending a 0/23 drought on the power play. But that wasn't the story. The highlight was how well the Devils played defensively, specifically at five-on-five. 

Like the Hurricanes game a couple of nights ago, the Devils did a great job taking the center of the ice away. The Kraken had just seven shots on goal at all strengths and 0.26 expected goals at five-on-five, along with one high-danger chance in the opening frame. 

What stood out about the Devils' play in the first period was how everyone covered their assignments. There was no time and space for the Kraken in the offensive zone, as the Devils kept everything to the perimeter. Any time a puck got to the slot, they did a good job clearing it away. 

Heatmap from the first period of Kraken vs. Devils

Bryce Salvador noted during the first period that the Devils are now playing a more simplified defensive zone scheme. The center has more defensive responsibilities in the center of the ice. I'm far from an expert on hockey systems, but it sounded like the team has more or less gotten much less aggressive with the swarm in the defensive zone. 

It's only been two games of the Devils looking like a defensive force, but it's hard to argue with the results. If this is a sign of things to come, the Devils can get themselves back in the playoffs; they're only four points behind the Detroit Red Wings with the same amount of games played. That's especially true if it helps the goaltending, too. 

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