As hockey fans around the NHL have seen, sometimes coaching changes spark a team. It may be too late now, but the New Jersey Devils (30-28-4) turned over a new leaf by firing head coach Lindy Ruff on Monday. However, that spark was not ignited in interim coach Travis Green’s first game at the helm. The Devils battled hard and some may say outplayed a very good opponent in the Florida Panthers. However, the scoreboard showed 5-3 Panthers when the horn sounded.
Game Recap
First Period
The first period between these two teams features a ton of goal scoring. For the 45th game this year, the Devils surrendered the first goal of the contest. After clearing the puck out of the zone, the Panthers sprung in quickly. Nick Cousins with great speed and open ice pushed towards the goal and roofed a backhanded shot over Akira Schmid.
Moments later, the Panthers went to work on the power play. After swift puck movement, Evan Rodrigues found an open seam and extended the lead 2-0. Now it was the Devils turn, who took advantage on the power play as well. A Jack Hughes shot bounced off a Panthers player and went past Anthony Stolarz to cut the lead in half. The horn would sound and the Devils found themselves trailing 2-1.
Both teams found success with the man advantage, but the Devils held the edge when the game was played at five on five in the opening frame. The Devils held the puck more often and led in shot attempts 14-12. However, the Panthers dominated in terms of shots on goal (8-2). To make things more interesting, the Devils dominated the high-danger area, out attempting the Panthers 3-1.
Second Period
This period has great pace between both teams. Each team was getting after it and generating chances. Jack Hughes had a terrific chance in front of Stolarz and got stoned, meanwhile, Schmid held down the fort at the other end.
Finally, the Devils managed to break through and tie the game. Right after a power play, Timo Meier willed his way to the front of the net and with one hand on his stick, knocked the puck into the net. The joy for the Devils was short lived, as the Panthers responded minutes later. A great stretch pass found Eetu Luostarainen’s stick and ripped a perfectly placed shot over Schmid to break the tie. Even though the Devils had other chances, the team would find themselves down for the second period in a row.
The Devils once again controlled the pace of the game at even strength. They controlled the shot attempts (19-15) and also held the edge in shots on goal (11-9). They continued their dominance in the high-danger area, as they heavily out-attempted the Panthers 8-1.
Third Period
The dagger was put in the Devils heart in the opening part of the third period. Gustav Forsling threw a wrist shot from the perimeter and Cousins deflected it past Schmid for his second of the game. As they’ve done all game, the Devils would respond. Similar to Forsling, Colin Miller fired the puck from the blueline and with traffic it slid past Stolarz to cut the deficit to one.
The Devils would get there chances but the Panthers would seal it with an empty net goal. As the horn sounded, the Devils suffered defeat 5-3.
Game Notes
- This was a game that was plagued by goaltending. There is a legit argument that the Devils were the better team and just an extra save would’ve helped the team get into overtime. Schmid allowed four goals and finished with -1.2 goals saved above expected. He did do some good things, as he was steady in the high danger area, stopping eight of nine shots he faced.
- Timo Meier is alive and well. In what’s been a tough season for the skilled winger, he has been impactful the last few games. He scored a goal in the game, as is his third-straight game with a goal. Meier keeps finding ways to get it done in front of the net.
What’s Next?
The Devils continue their home-stand Thursday night against the St Louis Blues.