After earning a gritty 4-1 win over the Florida Panthers on Saturday, the New Jersey Devils (22-16-3) fell to the Boston Bruins (26-8-9) in a shutout loss at TD Garden. They were on the back foot for most of the game but even when they got going they couldn’t break through Jeremey Swayman and the Bruins’ defense.
First Period
Much like their game on Saturday, the Bruins worked the Devils heavily in the first period. From the opening puck drop, Boston generated offensive pressure and easily held the zone for entire shifts. Despite the lack of team defense, Nico Daws kept the Bruins off the scoreboard in the first, making 17 saves, 12 of them being high danger.
John Marino took a boarding penalty midway through the period and Simon Nemec compounded the issue with a delay of game call during the kill, giving Boston a limited five-on-three and a power play after that. New Jersey managed to kill off the original penalty, but James Van-Riemsdyk found the back of the net on the ensuing power play. In a smart move by the video team, however, head coach Lindy Ruff successfully challenged the goal for offside. Boston kept the heat on for the rest of the period, but Daws was dialed in for every shot.
The Devils had a rough start against a dangerous Boston squad out of the gate, achieving a minuscule 27.27 Corsi-for percentage (CF%) and 23.96 % of the expected goals (xG%).
Second Period
The Bruins continued to dominate possession early in the second period. Nico Daws played a great first period to keep the game tied up, but the Bruins had to break through at some point. Charlie Coyle finally opened the scoring for Boston 30 seconds into the period, fooling Daws with a weak backhand shot from in tight.
The Devils got their feet moving after the goal, however, getting some good chances on Jeremy Swayman. Nico Hischier in particular had a great second period, battling for the puck and generating high-danger chances in front of the net. The Bruins played solid defense, however, collapsing in on any good chance. Boston turned the momentum late into the frame, but New Jersey managed to salvage a one-goal deficit heading into the second intermission.
The Devils played a much better period, notching a 63.16 CF%, and kept the expected goal battle tight with a 50.97 xG%.
Third Period
The Bruins put New Jersey on the back foot to start the third period, generating unrelenting pressure on the banged-up defense. A flurry of chances in front of Daws resulted in a Max Willman slashing call, giving the Bruins their third power play of the night. Daws came up huge on a number of shots early in the kill, but could only do so much as David Pastrnak ripped home a slap shot from the circle.
The Devils continued to generate chances, but few of them were high-danger with Boston clamping down on any potential shooting lanes. After a much better kill on an undisciplined Tyler Toffoli tripping call, New Jersey tried to get back in the game. The turning point came with less than half the period to play when the Devils got their first power play of the night. They cycled well once they were in the offensive zone, but Boston granted no lanes to Swayman, allowing no shots on net. Lindy Ruff pulled Daws with less than three minutes to play, but Trent Frederic muscled in the empty-netter to seal the deal.
Once again, the Devils controlled possession in the third period with a 65.63 CF% and a 51.33 xG%, but Boston shut down the possibility of any high-danger chances.
Results
The Devils fought well considering they were at the end of a tough road trip with a beaten-up roster. Although they were shut out for just the second time this season, they secured three points against Tampa, Florida, and Boston, which helped them stay alive in the Eastern Conference playoff race.
The Devils now own a record of 22-16-3 and sit sixth in the Metropolitan Division with 47 points, two out of the final wild card spot with at least a game in hand on every team ahead of them. The Bruins, on the other hand, are 26-8-9 and sit atop the Atlantic Division with 61 points.
Game Notes
Nico Daws Stands Tall
One bright spot over the past few games has been Nico Daws. In his fifth game back from hip surgery, Daws put on a clinic, keeping New Jersey in the game until the final minutes. He posted a .943 SV% on 35 shots and accrued 1.00 goals saved above expected (GSAx). Over his past two starts, he has 2.74 GSAx. Lindy Ruff would be wise to let Daws build momentum with a third consecutive start.
Live to Play Another Day
Going 1-1-1 on this road trip was huge considering the schedule and injury situation. Now, the Devils will play the Montreal Canadiens and Columbus Blue Jackets later this week before facing a gauntlet at the end of the month against Dallas, Vegas, Carolina, and Tampa. With February looking just as tough, the Devils must win these two upcoming games to tread water in the conference.
Up Next
The Devils will return home to face the Canadiens tomorrow at 7:00 p.m.