What a beautiful night at Prudential Center. In front of a sold-out crowd, the New Jersey Devils (0-2-0) honored defenseman Andy Greene prior to puck drop.
New Jersey then welcomed the Detroit Red Wings (2-0-0) to town and the night did not end the way they would have liked. For the second night in a row, the Devils lacked finishing and did not get the goaltending needed. When it was all said and done, the Devils lost 5-2.
Game Summary
The first period saw the Devils strike first. After a blocked Jesper Bratt pass attempt, Dougie Hamilton found the loose puck and fired a wrist shot from the back end. The Devils would hold the lead for the remainder of the period and headed to intermission up 1-0. The Devils dominated even-strength play and had a Corsi-for percentage (CF%) of 67.86 and a whopping expected goals-for percentage (xGF%) 73.27. New Jersey also found themselves in penalty trouble this period but remained perfect on the penalty kill.
The Devils saw their lead evaporate quickly. Shortly into the period, a bad rebound found its way to the point where Ben Chiarot rifled a slap-shot past Vitek Vanecek. Three minutes later, Jacob Vrana snipes a short-side shot to take the lead.
Luckily, it was the Devils who responded just 10 seconds later. Miles Wood found the back of the net after a beautiful passing play by Fabian Zetterlund and Dougie Hamilton. The seasaw affair ended, and the Red Wings dominated the rest of the way. In the final three minutes of play, the Red Wings would score twice more, expanding their lead to 4-2.
The third period remained all Detroit. Despite the Devils getting their chances, the Red Wings were the ones to capitalize. Dominik Kubalik slipped a backhand shot past Vanecek, and the lead became a three-goal lead. The Red Wings would maintain that lead and secure the two points.
Wrap Up
For the second game in a row, the Devils took a loss. Woeful goaltending plauged the team for the second night in a row. Lucas Raymond and Ben Chiarot both had multi-point games. Alex Nedeljkovic had a good night allowing two goals and finishing with 2.56 goals saved above expected. The Devils controlled the play, but could not execute and fall to 0-2-0.
Game Notes
- Despite the loss, Jack Hughes had himself a good night. Per Natural Stat Trick, he finished with a CF% of 68.18 and an high-danger CF% of 75.00. With him on the ice, the team generated nine high-danger chances.
- Vitek Vanecek had a night to forget. Per Money Puck, He allowed five goals, posted a .773 save percentage, and finished with -3.35 goals saved above expected.
- For the second game in a row, the Devils dominated at five-on-five. The team finished with 61.95 CF% through three periods, yet they found themselves on the losing end. The Devils generated chances, finishing the game with a 69.07 xGF% as well.
What’s next?
The Devils remain at home as they welcome the Anaheim Ducks to town on Tuesday, October 18th.