Recap: Struggling Devils Secure Two Points Against Buffalo

New Jersey Devils' Miles Wood, center, celebrates as Buffalo Sabres goaltender Jonas Johansson and Rasmus Ristolainen, left, react after Wood scored a goal during the third period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, March 16, 2021, in Newark, N.J. The Devils won 3-2.
The Devils got a crucial win against Buffalo yesterday (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II).

Match Summary

It’s a miracle! The Devils won a home game at home, in front of fans, and in their reverse retro jerseys! Now that’s what I call getting the monkey off your back.

After four straight losses, including a soul-crusher to the Islanders, the Devils desperately needed a win against the Buffalo Sabres. It all came together in a dynamic 3-2 win. The youthful Devils were in dire need of a morale booster against a weak team, and they got exactly that.

First Period

It’s crazy to say, but New Jersey didn’t go into the first intermission trailing. This doesn’t exactly mean they were spectacular in the first, in fact, the Sabres controlled much of the play. The Devils were outshot 12-5, but MacKenzie Blackwood stood tall and made some nice saves. Jersey couldn’t get a shot past Jonas Johansson until late in the period when Yegor Sharangovich roofed a wicked slot-shot. The Devils went into the locker-room up 1-0.

Second Period

Things didn’t go as well for the Devils in the second, they were outscored 2-1. Tobias Rieder and Jeff Skinner scored for Buffalo while Sami Vatanen notched one for Jersey. Analytically, this was actually the Devils’ best period: They had a CF% of 61.29 and an xGF% of 74.58. It is worth noting that after taking a puck to the face earlier in the game, former Devil Taylor Hall returned to play in the second. The teams went into the second intermission tied 2-2.

Third Period

Jersey put the icing on the cake when they took the lead and never gave it back. Early in the period, Colin Miller brutally slashed Pavel Zacha (who left the game), resulting in a Devils power play. Jesper Bratt took a shot from the blue line, Miles Wood tipped it, and they scored. Later, with the Sabres’ net empty, MacKenzie Blackwood made a ridiculous series of saves to secure New Jersey’s win.

Results

Overall, a lot went well in the Devils’ 3-2 win against Buffalo. The offense played with fire, the special teams were on point, and MacKenzie Blackwood played well. It was the first feel-good win for New Jersey in a long while (Wedgewood basically carried them to a win against Boston). Hopefully, they can carry this momentum into their three-game set with Pittsburgh.

New Jersey is now 9-13-4, good for seventh in the East division. The hapless Sabres are 6-18-4, a terrible eighth place.

Keys to the Game

MacKenzie Blackwood

Blackwood had a game to be proud of yesterday, something that can’t be said for much of his recent games. He stopped 33 pucks on 35 shots for a .943 SV%. A terrific game against the lowly Sabres ought to help him regain some confidence. Hopefully, the Devils’ star netminder can use this momentum in the games to come.

Special Teams

I never thought I’d say this, but the Devils’ powerplay and penalty kill were BOTH effective last night. New Jersey went 1-3 on the man-advantage, resulting in Woods’ game-winner. On the PK, they stopped both Buffalo powerplays and played aggressively. This is a needed improvement for the Devils, it is vital that they keep this kind of success in the future. 

Up Next

The Devils and Penguins face off on Thursday at 7:00 pm.

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