Many Devils’ fans may have been expecting the New Jersey Devils to rebound after their down right terrible four game series against the New York Rangers. However, after a 7-6 loss against the Pittsburgh Penguins last night, those may have been left a bit disappointed. First, there was a handful of new injuries. Then there was the first period that was too much to overcome. Either way, it ended with the New Jersey Devils getting their seventh consecutive loss. This despite scoring six goals in the third period.
After forty minutes the game looked like too many we had seen over the past week. Unlike other games, the Devils kept fighting. The final twenty minutes might have been some of the most eventful we’ve seen in a while from this young team. So yes, it was a loss, but it had a few exciting and unpredictable twists.
Flying Penguins
Much like the games against the Rangers, the Devils saw their opposition come out with intense pressure. The Penguins saw their first goal come less than four minutes into the first as Mike Matheson lit the lamp. Four minutes later, Brandon Rust added one of his own, followed by Brian Dumoulin adding his own less than a minute later. Former Los Angeles Kings, Stanley Cup champion Jeff Carter added another with just over two minutes left in the first to give Pittsburgh a commanding 4-0 lead in the game’s first 20 minutes.
New Jersey didn’t put up much of a fight in the first, being outshot 13-5. This despite receiving the period’s only power play. The Devils would outshoot Pittsburgh in the second 14-8 to almost even the shot count, but Pittsburgh would score the second period’s only two goals. Teddy Blueger scored just over a minute into the game’s middle period. Jason Zucker got the game’s first power play goal after newly acquired defenseman Jonas Siegenhaler was sent off for elbowing Jake Guentzel.
Scott Wedgewood over Aaron Dell?
Following the news that Mackenzie Blackwood was unavailable due to an upper-body injury, Scott Wedgewood was name the games starter. Wedgewood might not have been an obvious choice, but he wasn’t a bad one, considering he has two shutouts on the season. Remember, Aaron Dell’s last start was a subpar performance against the New York Rangers.
Well, Wedgewood couldn’t replicate those performances in his few victories as he allowed four goals on 15 shots in the game’s first period. As the period period came along, he was promptly replaced by Aaron Dell. Back up goaltending remains a clear priority for this team. Is Gilles Senn ready to fill that role? Maybe next year, we’ll see.
It’s Not Over Until It’s Over
I don’t know what happened during the second intermission, but it resulted in possibly the most exciting period of Devils’ hockey all season. The team had not one, not two, but six goals. Even better all six goals came from different players. Unfortunately, a Sidney Crosby goal half way through the Devils goal scoring marathon was the game-winner for Pittsburgh.
Recently retured captain Nico Hischier had this fourth of the year to get the party started. Yegor Sharangovich then added a short-handed goal of his own. Speaking of players coming back, Nathan Bastian got one of his own. Jack Hughes also had his 10th goal of the season.
After getting his first career point a few games ago, Nolan Foote got his first NHL goal. Will Butcher who found himself in the lineup after injuries on the blue line got himself three assists on the night. Miles Wood also had two assists. Sharangovich had an assist on Hughes’ goal, being the only other Devil to have a multiple point night.
Conclusion
Was it too little too late? Absolutely. You wonder if Wedgewood didn’t struggle so much in the first if this team could have pulled out the win. Even if the season won’t see them go to the playoffs, a win every week or so would be nice. Still, the Devils took what could have been a blow out loss and added some excited up until the final seconds of the third.