The New Jersey Devils lost yet another important game against the Los Angeles Kings. After scoring first, the team allowed five straight to lose 5-1. The Devils fall to a record of 30-27-4 and sit at sixth in their division.
Recap
Period One
The Devils came out strong in this one, scoring just 15 seconds into the game off the stick of Timo Meier. Meier fired a backhand short side on Cam Talbot to put New Jersey up by one. After both sides killed off a penalty, Phillip Danault would fly off the bench from a change, receive a pass and wire the puck by Nico Daws. With just a few minutes to go in the period, the Kings would score again. New Jersey native Alex Laferriere would fire a very savable puck past Daws to put the Kings up a goal. Nico Hischier would have a nice chance to tie the game but by the end of the period the kings would remain on top 2-1.
Period Two
The Devils played fine to start the period, keeping the game tight. Everything fell apart about 12:30 in as Phil Danault scored his second of the game into an open net. While Tyler Toffoli made a poor play to turn the puck over, Nico Daws way overplayed it which is why the puck went in.
Just 34 seconds later, the Kings were on the power play and would score again. Kevin Fiala snipped a shot to put LA up 4-1 and after that most of the team seemed checked out. Akira Schmid then replaced Daws. Kings lead by three after two.
Period Three
The third period started out with some good pressure by the Devils, but without a goal. They had some decent chances, but Cam Talbot stood strong. The Kings had a few chances of their own on a power play that Schmid made some strong saves on as well. The Devils would pull the goalie with over five minutes left down three and as it normally goes pulling the goalie for that long it didn’t go well. A couple decent chances, but the Kings would score again, Danault with the hat trick. The Devils would fall 5-1.
Game Notes
Lindy Ruff
As much as injuries and goaltending have derailed this season for the Devils, sometimes you just need a change. Is it too late for this change to happen? Edmonton, Ottawa, the Islanders, Minnesota, even the Kings after a rough stretch fired their head coach. Will the Devils be added to this list come Tuesday?
Timo Meier
Coming out of his cage, and Timo’s doing just fine. It’s been a rough year for the most part for Timo Meier, but he’s been really solid for the most part over the past few weeks. He has been playing higher up in the lineup and has earned it.
This afternoon, Meier held a 58.33 corsi-for percentage (CF%) and 65.79 expected goals percentage (xG%) at five-on-five. Over his past five games Meier has gone pointless in only one and has been over a point-per-game. TImo has three goals and three assists for six points in that span.
What’s Next
The Devils finally return home as they welcome the Florida Panthers to the Prudential Center on Tuesday at 7:00 pm ET.