Introduction
The New Jersey Devils (0-1-0) traveled south down the turnpike to Philadelphia (1-0-0) where they suffered defeat. They lose to John Tortorella’s squad by a score of 5-2.
New Jersey, who was without captain Nico Hischier due to a hamstring injury, suffered from the same woes that plagued them last year: goaltending. Mackenzie Blackwood was woeful and the Devils loss as a result.
Game Summary
The first period saw a back-and-forth affair. After a slow start by both teams early on, each traded goals midway through the period. The Flyers found themselves in the penalty box, and New Jersey made them pay. Upon zone entry, Jesper Bratt slid a pass over to rookie Alexander Holtz who snapped a shot that trickled through Carter Hart.
However, 23 seconds later the Flyers tied it up. A shot from the blue line saw Blackwood give up a juicy rebound that Wade Allison pounced on. The two teams would head to the first intermission tied at one.
The second period was all Flyers. Midway through the second period, Travis Konecny makes it 2-1. Coming off the bench, center Kevin Hayes found him, and placed a perfect shot past Blackwood. Then, just 23-seconds later, Morgan Frost roofed a shot past Blackwood’s glove to make it 3-1.
Despite being down 3-1, New Jersey dominated at even strength in the period posting a Corsi-for percentage of 68.42 and finished with an expected goals-for percentage of 66.85.
In the third period, the Flyers picked up where they left off. A little over a minute in, Konecny scored his second of the evening on a one-timer from the top of the circle. The Devils responded midway through the period. A wrist shot from the faceoff dot by Damon Severson that found a way past Hart to cut the deficit to two. The deal would be sealed on an empty-net goal by Morgan Frost. The horn would sound and the Devils were defeated 5-2.
Wrap Up
This game was all Philadelphia on the scoreboard. Alexander Holtz did score his first NHL goal to open things up. But the rest of the way, goaltending plagued New Jersey.
Game Notes
- After a strong preseason showing, Mackenzie Blackwood had a night to forget. He allowed four goals and finished with a save percentage of .833. According to Money Puck, Blackwood would also finish with -1.54 goals saved above expected. Not the ideal start he envisioned having.
- The Devils dominated at even strength. Per Natural Stat Trick, as a team they finished with a CF% of 68.89. They finished with an xGF% of 60.02 and finished the third period with a whopping 71.03. Controlled the play and improved in the third, but could not get the job done.
- Carter Hart stood tall. The Devils outshot the Flyers 36-25. He finished with a .944 save percentage and 0.81 goals saved above expected.
- Jesper Bratt had a team high CF% of 88.24. This was a result of a shot attempt differential of 30-4. Only two Devils finished below a 50.00 CF% and that was Brendan Smith and Michael McLeod.
Whats Next?
The Devils return home for their home opener Saturday. October 15, against the Detroit Red Wings.