Scoring the first goal in a hockey game is important. Just how important? The Devils are now 20-0-4 when they score first. That is INSANE. But, shows just how decisive it is to get out to an early lead and set the tone. Here's another crazy stat, the Devils have zero goals 5 on 5 in the past 4 games. Yet, they've won three in a row. Devils 2016 hockey = strong goaltending and defense, but no scoring. Look at the overall rankings:
2015-16 OVERALL NHL RANKINGS
GOALS PER GAME
GOALS AGAINST
POWER PLAY PCT
PENALTY KILL PCT
It's unbelievable to think that the Devils are now sitting at 3rd in the Metropolitan division while also being last in goals per game in the league. It's more believable when you consider how stingy Cory Schneider and the defense has been, first in the league in goals against. Again, the stats speak for themselves. The Devils have been absolutely ROLLING on the powerplay. I can't remember the last time I had this much confidence in our special teams. The penalty kill has been ridiculous as well. Until the goal given up in the Philly game, the Devils hadn't given up a goal in 22 straight kills.
The Devils looked energized and hungry against Philly. Having not played since last Tuesday, they had fresh legs and won the puck battles along the boards. Loved hearing the boo birds come out early in Philly in the first period. The Devils were simply outworking the Flyers and getting in their head.
I talked about how good the Devils on the power play. You know who else has been really good? Joseph Blandisi. I stumbled upon his Twitter while watching the game. His handle is @themagicbullet. He is REALLY embracing the "Blender" nickname and I love it. I've been singing his praises and he has not disappointed. Check out the between the legs goal that got it all going Saturday:
— New Jersey Devils (@NJDevils) February 13, 2016
As for the Kings game, first thing's first: does anyone else think that Drew Doughty is in fact Russell Brand? I have thought this for the past couple years. The resemblance is uncanny:
As for the actual game, congrats to Keith Kinkaid on his first career shutout.
Kinkaid got the job done against a big, fast Kings team, with only one goal of support. Here's another stat for you, the Devils are also last in the league in shots per game. Surprised? Me neither. Typically you need to shoot the puck to score.
The Devils are quite simply taking advantage of the opportunities given to them. The lone goal by Schlemko was again on the power play. I can't even remember the last time the power play was this hot. Even with the Kings controlling most of the 2nd and 3rd periods, the Devils held strong. They started playing physical and clearly were frustrating guys like Doughty.
The bottom 6 forwards have impressed me the past couple of games. I have hated on guys like Kennedy and Josefson, but both of them, along with Boucher, have really been taking advantage of their ice time and creating scoring opportunities.
John Maclean actually made a good point in the postgame yesterday, for once, saying that there's good competition for when Cammalleri comes back. He's right. One of those guys is going to lose his roster spot when Cammy comes back, which is completely up in the air. I think that's why you are seeing the bottom 6 guys turn it up. Nobody wants to be the guy to get scratched when he does come back.
Philly comes in to Newark on Tuesday and I'll be at the game. PUMPED that they are bringing back the green retro jerseys for the game. Will Daneyko bring his hair back for the game too?
No comments:
Post a Comment