the New Jersey Devils entered last night play some strong hockey. However, two special team blunders as well as a goaltending folly led to a loss.
Nikita Okhutiuk made his NHL debut for the New Jersey Devils. He found himself along P.K. Subban on the Devils’ third defensive pairing. Andrew Hammond made his third consecutive start for New Jersey.
First period
The first period was filled with near misses for both teams. Tage Thompson of the Buffalo Sabres had a bouncing puck just go over his stick. Later on, Alex Tuch would hit the post with his own shot. The Devils would have a two on one with Tomas Tartar and Fabian Zetterlund broke up by Henri Jokiharju.
New Jersey would get the period’s only power play after Kyle Okposo was sent off for hooking. New Jersey would get three shots on the man advantage, and a perfect opportunity from Jesper Bratt that hit the post, but couldn’t get one in the net. The Devils’ power play problems continue.
Second Period
The first half of the second period was much like the first period: a scoreless back and forth between both teams lacking urgency. At the halfway point, the Devils would get their second power play of the game. Rasmus Dahlin was sent off for tripping Andreas Johnsson. Thirty seconds later, New Jersey’s man advantage was negated. Dougie Hamilton would take a slashing call resulting in four on four hockey for 1:31.
Before the four-on-four was even over, the Sabres would send another to the box as Casey Mittelstadt was sent off. Unfortunately, Kyle Okposo would score shorthanded with a long-range, outside the blue-line shot to give Buffalo a 1-0 lead. It was poorly played by Hammond.
New Jersey would give away a shorthanded breakaway to Victor Olofsson. Tuch would send the rebound home for a second breakaway goal. Before the red light was even turned off, Buffalo would get a third short-handed chance. The Devils would save the shot, but not without a Damon Severson penalty.
The myriad of penalties, power plays, and short-handed goals seemed to end with the Sabres up 2-0. Severson would get a breakaway chance while leaving the box. Once again, the Devils and Sabres would trade power plays with New Jersey heading back to the man advantage. The Devil’s power play effort was better but still unsuccessful.
Buffalo would add lucky number three before the period ended. Rasmus Dahlin scored his 14th of the season. With less than ten seconds left in the period, the Devils would find their first goal of the game. Jesper Boqvist would make it 3-1 Sabres. This is the first time in his career Boqvist has scored in three straight games.
Third Period
Okhotiuk wouldn’t have to wait long for his first NHL goal. He grabbed the rebound off a Jane Kuokkanen shot that found itself at the top of the left faceoff circle. He spent the better part of the night firing pucks more than you would expect from an offensive-minded defenseman. It seemed to work, as New Jersey but the deficit to 3-2.
A puck would trickle out of the Devil’s zone and into Buffalo, leading Craig Anderson to leave his crease and retrieve the puck. A bit of puck mismanagement also most less to a Johnsson goal for New Jersey. Moments later, at the other end of the ice, Owen Power would earn his first NHL goal off a pass from Jeff Skinner, who fell down on a partial breakaway.
Buffalo wasn’t finished scoring. Skinner would add another to it 5-2 Buffalo. Skinner is having a resurgent season for the ever rebuilding Sabres, with his 32nd goal of the year.
Wrap-Up:
The Devils would lose by the final score of 5-2 and end the season series against Buffalo 2-1-0. Even with the loss, it was a great feel-good night for the recent AHL call-up Okhotiuk. Owen Power also got to celebrate a memorable milestone for himself as well.
Next Game: Saturday, April 23rd at 12:30 PM ET against Carolina