Match Summary
Despite outplaying the Winnipeg Jets throughout most of the game, the Devils dropped last night’s contest in a 2-1 heartbreaker. There wasn’t much more they could have done to overcome the Jets, but goaltender Eric Comrie put the dagger in the Devils’ hearts, standing tall in the face of a relentless New Jersey onslaught.
First Period
It didn’t take long for things to get exciting in this game. The Jets drew first blood in the opening frame with a two-on-one goal off the stick of Brenden Dillon. Later in the period, however, Devils’ star Jack Hughes sniped a power play goal to tie the game. Both teams tried to get something going at the end of the period, but they went into the intermission tied at one.
Second Period
The second period was the most exciting of the game, with the teams trading chance after chance. Midway through the period, the Devils had two full shifts of sustained pressure with more than a few grade-A chances on Comrie, but couldn’t put one through. Unfortunately, the Devils let up another odd-man rush, and Kyle Connor made them pay with a goal that nobody but him saw. Despite posting a 61.97 Corsi-for percentage (CF%) through the first two frames, the Devils ended the second period down 2-1
Third Period
The Devils returned to the ice in the third and quickly went on the powerplay off a Dylan DeMelo penalty. However, they failed to score a goal. New Jersey had some more opportunities on Comrie, including a post-ringer off the stick of Jesper Bratt, but just couldn’t score on the former Devil. After a furious empty-net penalty kill frenzy at the end of the game, the clock hit zero and the Devils went home with a 2-1 loss.
Result
The Devils have been playing solid hockey as of late, and this game was a continuation of that streak. They notched a CF% of 54.37 and an expected goal-for percentage (xG%) of 56.99. Overall, this is a game the Devils will look back on as one they should have won.
The Devils now hold a record of 21-32-5 and are in seventh place in the Metropolitan Division. The Jets own a record of 26-22-10 and sit in sixth place in the Central Division
Game Notes
Comrie Steals the Show
Just by watching the Devils’ offensive pressures last night, it was clear that goaltender Eric Comrie was the reason Winnipeg won. The former Devil stopped 33 out of 34 shots, coming up clutch against a surging Jersey offense. He has a .914 save percentage in ten games played this year.
Hughes Strikes Again
What? Did you expect Hughes to not score? The young Hughes has been rolling for over a month, with six goals and 17 points in his previous ten games before last night. He added to that streak against the Jets, scoring the lone Devil goal. In addition, he posted a CF% of 52.78 and an xG% of 62.49. Although the Devils couldn’t pull out a win, Hughes was a force to be reckoned with last night.
Up Next
The Devils will take on the Anaheim Ducks tomorrow at 7:00 PM ET.