Brief Summary
After a brief winning streak, the New Jersey Devils found themselves back in the loss column. The second game of back-to-back did not produce the result the team wanted. Despite a decent effort, the Devils fell short in Columbus and lost 4-3.
Game Summary
Period 1
It did not take long for the action to start. The Devils picked up where they left off last night. Only 56-seconds into the game, and the New Jersey was on the board. A Damon Severson shot caused a scramble in front of the net where Jack Hughes found the loose puck.
More than halfway through the first period, the Blue Jackets got on the board. Pinching in from the left point, Jacob Christiansen scored his first career NHL goal to tie the hockey game.
The Cannon kept firing. A relentless forecheck led to the goal, and as the Blue Jackets possessed the puck, Jacob Voracek found Oliver Bjorkstrand right in the slot for the score. The Devils’ killer continued his success against the red and black. After a strong start and finding their legs, the Devils trailed 2-1.
Period 2
About 46 seconds into the period second frame, Boone Jenner scored on the powerplay. A one-time blast by Patrick Laine caused a rebound where Jenner was waiting for the loose puck.
The Devils responded. A beautiful stretch pass by Damon Severson found Nico Hischier, who sniped a shot top-shelf to make it a 3-2 hockey game. The horn would sound, and the Devils would head to the third period down one.
Period 3
For the third straight period, a goal occurred in the opening minute. A highlight-reel goal by Patrick Laine put the Blue Jackets ahead 4-2. Damon Severson tried to make the right play by playing the body, but whiffed and it led to the terrific goal.
The back and forth affair continued. The Devils answered back. Generated off the rush, the rookie Dawson Mercer found Pavel Zacha, who placed a perfect shot to cut the deficit to within one again.
Despite last-minute efforts, no more goals would be scored, and the Devils would lose 4-3.
Game Notes
- Despite the loss, the Devils’ big fish in Jack Hughes and Nico Hischier kept their point streaks alive. Both notched a goal each and are still leading the way for the team.
- The best line of the night for the Devils was the line of Jesper Bratt, Yegor Sharangovich, and Jack Hughes. According to Natural Stat Trick, the line had a Corsi-for % (CF%) of 75.00. They were buzzing all game.
- Goaltending became the difference in this game. MoneyPuck indicates that Devils’ netminder Nico Daws faced an expected goals against (xGA) of 2.88. However, he let in four. That is a difference of 1.2 and in the end that became the difference of winning and losing.
What’s Next?
The Devils have a brief break. The team’s next game is Friday night at Madison Square Garden as they take on the New York Rangers.