Overview
Things got off to a rocky start with the New Jersey Devils falling behind 2-0 through the first period on goals in the opening and closing minute against the Nashville Predators. The Devils battled back rattling off three goals in under three minutes to take control 3-2 after two periods, but some late mistakes and questionable strategy would allow Nashville to tie the game in the dying seconds before snatching a 4-3 victory in overtime.
This was the first time all season the Devils had a loss as frustrating at such. Which tells you all you need to know about how otherwise successful the team has been.
Recap
1st Period
Things got off to a real tough start for New Jersey when Ryan Johansen came in through the right side of the offensive zone and scored on his own rebound opportunity just 11 seconds into the game.
The only thing worse than a goal in the first minute is a goal in the last minute, and that’s exactly what Nashville was able to do. After Roman Josi was able to hold the zone, a seemingly harmless puck thrown towards a pile of bodies in front settled on Colton Sissons stick who made no mistake going top right corner.
New Jersey trailed 2-0 after the first period.
2nd Period
The Devils have shown the fight and ability to comeback from deficits all season long, and the second period was a perfect example of that. In under a three-minute span, goals from Kevin Bahl, Jesper Bratt, and Alexander Holtz would give the Devils a 3-2 lead.
Bahl did a great job filling the high slot as Jack Hughes circled behind the net and found him with the crisp pass. Bahl fired a quick snapper short side and beat Juuse Saros to make it 2-1.
Just 30-seconds later, Jesper Bratt tied the game off an absolutely beautiful passing play. Hughes entered the zone on the powerplay and sent a cross ice pass over to Nico Hischier, who immediately hit the cutting Bratt wide open in front who slide it five hole.
The powerplay would strike yet again to cap off the scoring spree and give the Devils a 3-2 lead. Erik Haula cycled the puck to Damon Severson at the point who slid a perfect pass into Holtz’s wheelhouse at the left faceoff circle. Holtz let a beauty slap shot fly just inside the left post for his second-career NHL goal.
3rd Period
Nashville just had a thing for scoring at the worst times in this one. The Devils would go on the power play with just over two minutes remaining in the third and a one goal lead, seemingly being icing on the cake to seal the victory. A somewhat questionable decision, however, was their strategy of simply trying to milk the clock down instead of going on the offensive and looking to end the game with another goal.
Not scoring there would ultimately lead to their demise as Nashville found a way to tie the game with just eight-seconds remaining. Nashville threw a puck towards the net from the point where Mikael Granlund was able to find it and bury it into the net. Ryan Graves got caught a bit out of position and just wasn’t able to recover in time to make the defensive play.
Overtime
Overtime wouldn’t prove to be any better. Hischier won possession and flipped the puck back to Vitek Vanecek who struggled a bit and just played the puck into the corner for Yegor Sharangovich. Hischier and Dougie Hamilton would come to the corner as well to try and help gain puck possession, but Matt Duchene would ultimately win the puck and set up a wide open Ryan Johansen for the game winner from the slot.
Takeaways
First Heartbreaker Of A Loss This Season
Normally by this point in the season the Devils have had their fair share of bad losses, but this really was the first one that felt like they blew a chance at a victory. It’s a learning experience for this young roster, but ultimately they still sit at 19-4-1 and atop the standings with 39 points.
What’s Next?
The Devils get a chance to get back in the win column on Saturday night against the rival Philadelphia Flyers. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 P.M. ET and can be seen on MSGSN.