Game Overview
Yeah, I bet you did not think we would have hockey again, did you? Yesterday, the New Jersey Devils announced they would utilize NHL 20 — the video game — to stream their schedule for the foreseeable future. This process started yesterday against the Calgary Flames.
The Devils picked up right where they left off with more red-hot play. They defeated the Flames in a thrilling 6-4 game! In the victory, Pavel Zacha stayed hot scoring two goals. The Devils also saw goals off the sticks of Nico Hischier, Jack Hughes, Michael McLeod, and Miles Wood. Cory Schneider got the nod in between the pipes against Calgary’s backup netminder Cam Talbot. Schneider made 98 saves on 102 shots, while Talbot let in six goals on 86 shots in a back and forth game.
Ok, we understand this is only a simulation from NHL 20. But who cares! To some degree, we got Devils’ hockey back, baby!
As was mentioned above, the Devils will be live-streaming the rest of their games on NHL 20 matching-up with their regular-season calendar. I will include a link below to the post of the game on YouTube. Other avenues in which you can view upcoming games are the Devils’ Twitter and Facebook page as well as njd.tv.
Let’s be real, we are getting the closest thing to a sense of normalcy when it comes to our Devils given what is going on around the world, the country, and the tri-state area. While we learn to adapt to the new adversity life has thrown our way, there is one aspect we can still enjoy and that is Devils’ hockey, whether it is live-action or a live broadcast simulation from NHL 20.
Goal and Statistics of the Game
Cory Schneider finished the game with an astounding .961 save percentage (see an awesome post-game interview above). I expect to see Mackenzie Blackwood receive the next start which will be on Saturday night against the New York Islanders. While Pavel Zacha scored two goals in the game, the goal of the game goes to Miles Wood. This is more so due to the beautiful complete line effort of a beautiful tic-tac-toe passing play almost like it was drawn up on the whiteboard.
The game was not perfect, obviously, but more steps in the right direction are being taken. For example, Janne Kuokkanen was wearing number three. This is surprising because it is usually impossible to assign retired numbers in the video game.