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Match Summary
With a heavily depleted lineup missing key players like Dougie Hamilton and Jesper Bratt, the New Jersey Devils were not expected to compete with the Columbus Blue Jackets in last night’s game. Despite this disadvantage, the Devils managed to make it a close one. However, they fell just short in the 4-3 loss.
First Period
The Devils got out to a rocky start early in the first, letting in two goals before five minutes had past. The first goal was an accidental own-goal via Jack Hughes. He deflected the puck off his skate and into the net. The Devils struck back later in the period, however, with two goals of their own. One from Nico Hischier and another beauty from Jimmy Vesey. It was an exciting first period, but the game was still in knots when the Devils went to the locker room.
Second Period
The Jackets and Devils scored a goal apiece in the second frame, with Colombus’ coming from Yegor Chinakhov and the Devils’ from forward Marian Studenic. Studenic’s goal was particularly important as it was the Slovakian’s first of the year. He has been a solid defensive forward all year, skating hard, getting in lanes, and creating defensive zone exits. Later in the period, Blue Jackets goaltender Joonas Korpisalo made a mind-bending glove save to deny a nearly flawless shot from Nico Hischier to keep the game tied. With that, a frustrated Devils team went into the second intermission.
Third Period
The third period certainly wasn’t a fun one for the Devils. Oliver Bjorkstrand scored his second goal of the night to put the Jackets up 4-3, and it was a lead they wouldn’t surrender for the rest of the night. Korpisalo made yet another highlight-reel save on Jack Hughes’ backhand attempt to frustrate the Devils further. In the final minutes of the period, the Devils pulled MacKenzie Blackwood and went on a furious six-on-five comeback rally that yielded some great chances, but to no avail.
Results
While it definitely wasn’t what the Devils had hoped for going into their matchup with Columbus, last night was a showcase of New Jersey’s resiliency in the face of adversity. With more than a few key cast members out of commission and others shifted around because of it, the Devils played a close game and made a competition out of what was expected to be a slog.
The Devils now have a record of 14-17-5 and have dropped to seventh place in the Metropolitan Division. The Blue Jackets, on the other hand, climbed back up to hockey .500 and hold a record of 16-16-1. They stand in fifth place in the Metro Division.
Keys to the Game
Oliver Bjorkstrand Dominates Again
As MSG’s Steven Cangelosi put it, Oliver Bjorkstrand loves seeing Devils’ jerseys. Bjorkstrand has 11 goals and 16 points in 18 games played against New Jersey, including two goals last night. He was the difference-maker yesterday, and he killed the Devils’ hopes yet again.
COVID-19 Chaos
As mentioned previously, the pandemic hung like a cloud over the Devils’ roster last night. They currently have seven players on the COVID-19 list, including Dougie Hamilton who already has a broken jaw. As a result, the lines were shifted around, but this didn’t stop the Devils from finding their groove. The Vesey, Hischier, and Janne Kuokkanen line in particular got some great looks on offense. This COVID-19 chaos is far from over, but in the meantime, the Devils will grind through.
Up Next
The Devils and Lightning will face off at the Prudential Center on Monday at 7:00.