The New Jersey Devils losing skid continues. Despite a late surge, the Devils fell short to the Ottawa Senators 3-2 and left a very important two points on the table. New Jersey sits six points up in the playoff race.
Game Recap
First Period
The first period was quite the frame. The play of the period was made by Devils forward Curtis Lazar, who made a great play to prevent the puck from crossing the goal line. The period was scoreless and both goalies stood tall. Linus Ullmark finished the period with 1.05 goals saved above expected and Jake Allen at 1.46.
During five-on-five play, the Devils held the slight edge in shot attempts 12-10, and even controlled the expected goals share (0.98-0.83). Shot totals were low and the scoring chances were even.
Second Period
What a dreadful start to the period for the Devils. After Jake Allen robbed one of the Senators right on the door step, the Senators went on to score two quick goals. After getting set up along the walls, Jake Sanderson fired a shot that was deflected by Brady Tkachuk, who was standing right in front of the net. 33 seconds later, the Senators executed a great passing sequence and Drake Batherson tipped in an easy cross ice pass by Dylan Cozens. While things looked bleak for the Devils, they responded.
The Devils power play went to work. Jesper Bratt sent a pass over to Nico Hischier, who blasted a one-timer past Linus Ullmark to cut the lead in half. That assist by Bratt set the Devils franchise record for the most assists in a single season. The joy was short lived, as the Senators responded and on the power play.
After getting set up on the power play, Claude Giroux got set up and fired a slap shot from the face off circle that got deflected by forward David Perron that made it 3-1 Senators. That’s how things stayed heading to the third period.
During five-on-five, the shot attempts were dead even at 10 each. The Devils did get outshot 5-3 and the Senators got the jump on the Devils with more scoring chances (6-2) and high-danger chances (4-0). Special teams play was huge this period for each club, but the Devils generating just 0.17 expected goals during five-on-five play was not ideal.
Third Period
This was the best start to the third period the Devils have had in a few games. They came out charged and found their legs to start. The Senators matched the Devils desperation and pushed the pace back. The Devils nearly lost both Luke Hughes (blocked shot) and Brett Pesce (puck to face), but both did return to the game.
The Devils pulled the goalie with over two minutes to go and with 22.3 seconds to go scored a goal to cut the lead to one thanks to Erik Haula. After the goal, the Devils sent a barrage of chances on net and even got behind Ullmark. Thanks for defenseman Artem Zub, the lead was preserved and the Devils skated away in defeat 3-2.
Game Notes
- This was the best third period the Devils have played in the last several games. They finished with a Corsi-for percentage of 65.52 at five-on-five. They heavily out-played the Senators and generated 1.4 expected goals and pushed the pace that period. Good to see the effort.
- Nico Hischier scored his 30th goal of the season, which is the second time in the last three seasons he’s reached the mark. Jesper Bratt passed Scott Stevens to have the most assists in a single season by a Devil.
- Bratt continues to be a force offensively for the Devils. He finished with an expected goals for percentage (xGF%) of 62.39 and finished with the highest xGF with 1.38.
What’s Next?
The Devils home stand continues Monday against the Vancouver Canucks.