First Period
- The action was fairly balanced throughout the first period.
- Shots were 13-12 in favor of New Jersey.
- Yegor Sharangovich had one of the teams better chances but put his shot just off the outside of the post.
- Kevin Bahl sent Colorado to their first powerplay after a holding penalty against Rantanen. Rantanen beat him wide and would have been in with a great scoring opportunity.
- The Devils dodged a bullet when a shot by Girard ran off the post and they were able to complete the kill.
Second Period
- The second period belonged fully to Colorado.
- Shots were 14-4 in favor of the Avalanche.
- Logan O’Connor broke the scoreless tie. Darren Helm brought the puck into the zone and fired a wrister from just above the right faceoff circle which was saved to the slot by Andrew Hammond. O’Connor picked the puck up on his backhand, spun to his forehand and ripped a shot far side by Hammond.
- Andre Burakovsky would go on to make it a 2-0 game with 12:15 remaining in the second. The Avalanche played a puck into the corner which they were able to win possession and move behind the net. The Devils were caught chasing and out of position, leaving Burakovsky wide open in the low slot who made no mistake after receiving the centering pass. The net was falling forward after Hamilton bumped into it, but the goal would be confirmed.
- The Avalanche would cap off their second period dominance with a third goal. It was scored by Arrturi Lehkonen on the powerplay. Following a Michael McLeod hooking penalty, Colorado would get setup in the offensive zone and get to cycling. A quick seem pass found Rantanen with space to let a wrister fly which was saved by Hammond. The rebound went right to an uncovered Lehkonen who tapped it into the empty net.
Third Period
- Devils controlled much of the offensive opportunities in the third period, but ultimately it wasn’t enough.
- Shot totals were 10-4 in favor of New Jersey.
- Makar went off for a holding penalty in the opening minute of the period. Unfortunately, New Jersey was unable to capitalize.
- The Devils would get a second crack at the powerplay when Andrew Cogliano went off for tripping with roughly 12 minutes left. However, once again the powerplay didn’t create any opportunities.
- Things began to open up and ultimately the Devils and Jesper Bratt would capitalize to get on the board. Nico Hischier took a rush up the right boards, cutting to the net underneath defenders and got off a solid shot that was blockered away into the corner. A quick puck win left the puck on Pavel Zacha’s stick, who found a wide open Bratt who fired home the one timer for his 24th of the season.
- Hammond would make his way to the bench for the extra attacker at the end of the game. However, the Devils ultimately would come up short and drop the game 3-1.
Takeaways
- Hammond had his best performance thus far as a Devil, but still leaves a bit more to be desired.
- Ryan Graves took an accidental skate to the face from Mackinnon. He left the game with a little over eight minutes left in the third period. Head coach Lindy Ruff said after the game that he is doing well and is getting stitched up.
- The powerplay is still a major detriment, going 0-for-2 and never generating much of anything.
- Colorado imposed their will at times and showed why they are legit cup contenders.
Next Up: Saturday, April 10th in Seattle