Last night, the New Jersey Devils dropped an important game in Buffalo 5-2. After owning a 2-0 lead after the first period, they proceeded to allow five straight goals. The Devils fall to a record of 36-34-4 and sit sixth in their division.
Recap
Period One
The first period was a good one for the Devils as Max Willman got it started early with a nice tip for a goal. That was his second straight game with a goal.
Later on, Nico Hischier got a puck to Jesper Bratt in front who then whipped it in to make it 2-0 Devils. Some nice saves from Jake Allen would keep it that way after one period.
Period Two
The Devils would play a very up-and-down second period that would start and end with multiple Sabres goals. Tage Thompson would score his first of the game off a puck that fluttered by Allen. Certainly one he would want back.
Towards the end of the period, Kevin Bahl had a bad turnover that led to Thompson getting the puck in a similar spot to his first goal. However, this time, he ripped it by Allen, clean, to even the score.
Period Three
The domination towards the end of the second by Buffalo continued into the third as they controlled most of the play. It all boiled over into Thompson’s third of the game as he got his own rebound in the crease.
Buffalo would not relinquish their lead with under five minutes left. After a couple empty netters, they would win 5-2.
Game Notes
Losing to Bad Teams
The Devils have been not too shabby in many aspects this season, but what they’ve been best at is losing games they shouldn’t. San Jose, Columbus, Montreal, Calgary, Ottawa, Anaheim and Arizona (twice), and, now, Buffalo. These are all teams that sit at the bottom of the standings and teams the Devils have lost in brutal fashion to.
Playoff-caliber teams don’t do that, for winning teams with good coaches losses like those are unacceptable and rare. The Devils clearly haven’t had that under Lindy Ruff nor interim Travis Green.
Devon Levi and Jake Allen
The goaltending was terrific last night on both sides. For the Devils, Jake Allen kept them in the game with 1.37 goals saved above expected (GSAx). For the Sabres, Devon Levi helped them win the game, making a few incredible saves and stopping 1.83 GSAx.
Overall, it was a goalies game which has not favored the Devils in the past and certainly didn’t last night.
What’s Next
The Devils have a few days off before taking on the Pittsburgh Penguins on Tuesday at the Prudential Center. Game is slated for a 7:00 pm ET puck drop.