For the second time in five days, the New Jersey Devils (22-11-2) were defeated by the Boston Bruins (28-4-3), this time by a 3-1 scoreline. With the loss, the Devils have now dropped eight of their last nine games. New Jersey remains in second place in a closely-contested Metropolitan Division.
Game Summary
First Period
The Devils dominated the play early, firing seven of the game’s first eight shots on Linus Ullmark. However, the Bruins netminder was up to the task with his best save coming on a Miles Wood breakaway. Later, Trent Frederic and Kevin Bahl dropped the gloves midway through the frame, but neither team could capitalize on any momentum gained.
The best chance of the period came off a Jesper Boqvist takeaway. The Swedish forward stole the puck at the top of the circle, walked in, and fired off the crossbar, leaving the game scoreless. Despite some late period pressure, New Jersey couldn’t open the scoring, and the first period ended 0-0.
In the first, shots were 16-8 in favor of the Devils. NJ posted a 68.29 Corsi-for percentage (CF%) and a 78.91 expected goals-for percentage (xGF%) at five-on-five.
Second Period
The Bruins came out much stronger in the second and played with much better structure. However, Boston still could not solve Vitek Vanecek early on. The Devils had a golden opportunity, but Ullmark made another tremendous save on Dawson Mercer from in close.
A New Jersey power play then went to waste and Boston took advantage at the other end. A brutal Michael McLeod giveaway in the slot led to a clear look for Trent Frederic. The 24-year-old buried a wrist shot blocker side to open the scoring nine minutes into the middle period. Neither team could find another goal in the frame, although the Devils killed off consecutive Kevin Bahl penalties.
Second period shots were 13-6 Boston. The Devils had a 52.94 CF%, but just a 36.35 xGF% at five-on-five.
Third Period
It was a slow start to the final period which favored Boston. However, six minutes into the period, Nico Hischier knotted the score at one off a great pass through the crease from Fabian Zetterlund.
With the score tied, the game opened up with both teams creating chances. However, both netminders continued to play well. Vanecek made his best save of the night to deny Jake Debrusk on the doorstep with seven minutes left.
However, it was Boston that broke the deadlock. With 4:09 to go, Patrice Bergeron tipped home a Hampus Lindholm wrister from the point. The Devils tried to answer and pulled the goalie with 2:30 remaining, but former Devil Pavel Zacha hit the empty net to seal a 3-1 victory for Boston.
In the third period, shots were 9-6 in favor of NJ. The Devils had a 53.57 CF% and a 41.88 xGF% at five-on-five.
Recap
Vitek Vanecek played well for New Jersey in the loss. He stopped 24 of 26 shots, stopping 1.39 goals above expected. Despite the result, that is a very encouraging sign given that Vanecek had a .841 save percentage and a -5.42 GSAx in his past five outings. Offensively, Nico Hischier had the lone goal, his 14th of the year. Zetterlund and Tatar had assists.
As for Boston, Linus Ullmark was tremendous once again. The Swedish netminder turned aside 30 of 31 shots, saving an outstanding 3.02 goals above expected. Seven Bruins recorded points in the win. Hampus Lindholm had the only multi-point game with a pair of primary assists.
For the game, shots were 31-27 New Jersey with the Devils posting a 59.22 CF% and a 59.72 xGF%.
Game Notes
The Jack Hughes Line
The trio of Jack Hughes, Jesper Bratt, and Erik Haula absolutely dominated play in the loss. The line played over 12 minutes together at five-on-five and registered a 81.82 CF% and a 87.06 xGF%. These were both comfortably the top marks among the Devils’ forward lines. High danger chances were also 6-0 in favor of NJ with this line on the ice.
However, despite the dominance in controlling play, the line could not score a goal. Erik Haula has spent the majority of the season with Hughes and Bratt. He still has just two goals. While head coach Lindy Ruff wants to keep his lines balanced, it may be time to put Yegor Sharangovich or Dawson Mercer back with Hughes and Bratt.
Devils’ Top Defense Pairing
With Ryan Graves and John Marino injured and listed as week-to-week, the Devils need their other defensemen to step up. Dougie Hamilton and Jonas Siegenthaler did just that tonight. Both defensemen posted CF% north of 68.00 and xGF% better than 71.00 at five-on-five. These metrics led all Devils defensemen by a wide margin. On top of that, the pairing was not on the ice for either five-on-five goal against.
Michael McLeod
It was a tough night for the Devils’ fourth line center. McLeod had a brutal turnover that led to the game’s opening goal, and his underlying metrics did not fare much better. McLeod had a 35.29 CF% and a dismal 23.14 xGF% at even strength. Both marks were the worst on the team in the loss.
What’s Next
The Devils travel to Pittsburgh to take on the Penguins on Friday night. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. ET and MSGSN will televise the game.
Note: All statistics via Natural Stat Trick.