Three games is what it took for the Devils to turn in their first mediocre performance of the season, but - thanks in part to Peter DeBoer's familiar inability to get his teams to turn possession into production - it'll be at least four before they have to head back to the locker room as losers. The experiences of Switzerland and Sweden seems to have done a lot for the Devils, and none the least of which is set their schedule back so that their 3-0 start makes their record the only flawless one remaining. That means next to nothing in mid-October, of course, but the same can't be said for toughing out a victory in the 3rd period of a game in which they didn't play close to their best against one of the most talented rosters in the entire league. Labeling a win as "gutsy" sometimes feels disingenuous when all it really means is that a couple bounces went your way during a game in which you were otherwise underwhelming. However, I'm not sure there's a better way to describe concluding a come-from-behind win by killing off two separate penalties in the closing minutes against a powerplay that strikes as much fear into the hearts of its opposition as the apex predator that's stitched across its chest. No one would argue that the Devils played great, or even good for that matter. The only reason they had to desperately throw their bodies in front of a barrage of pucks was because they made no adjustments in continuing to shoot themselves in the foot with their slingshot-style powerplay and passed up on a golden opportunity for an insurance goal as if it were an impromptu meeting with a door-to-door insurance salesman. As praiseworthy as the ensuing PK was, requiring it's services for a 'holding the stick' penalty and a 'too many men' penalty is simply inexcusable in the late stages of a one goal game against a team that's armed to make you pay in that situation. Add to that the fact that the Devils' pinpoint passing on the afternoon was about as precise as a back-alley acupuncturist and that their execution was particularly off throughout a second period in which the Sharks seemed to be swarming with the current, and you get the type of performance that becomes defined by nothing more than its outcome. Be they lazy offsides, careless turnovers, or dumb penalties, there were no shortage of mistakes from a team that appeared vulnerable for the first time all year. Fortunately, those mistakes were largely covered up by the scorching hot stick of Kyle Palmieri and the continued early excellence of Keith Kinkaid, so we can look at the Devils' effort yesterday as resilient as opposed to reckless. For what's it's worth, which is two points in the standings, the Devils' effort never waned. The same can't be said for their focus, but it speaks volumes of their construction that they can beat a team like San Jose while playing through the blunders that tend to bubble up during a long season. --------
- I suppose you could consider it concerning that Kyle Palmieri currently accounts for nearly 50% of the team's goals. However, while he's as hot as someone could possibly be three games into the season, both his linemates are as cold as you could possibly be three games into the season. The chances have consistently been there for all of Hall, Hischier, and Palmieri, so whatever drop-off the latter might experience from his historical pace should be more than made up for by a positive regression in pucks going in for those skating alongside him. Everyone has made contributions in some form or fashion, so let's just enjoy the Devils' ride on Kyle Palmieri's back as he does what he does best in pocketing goals in bunches. - As fantastic as the Johansson-Zacha-Noesen line looked against Washington, they looked just as lost against San Jose. Plus/minus can be a misleading stat, but it's no coincidence that it's one that didn't favor them yesterday. It looked like Pavel Zacha's remote control shut off mid-game as he gave away the puck that eventually ended up in the back of the Devils net to make it 2-1, and when Stefan Noesen wasn't waltzing his way offsides during odd-man rushes like he was in a bad way with his bookie he was sitting in the box for the fourth time in three games. Marcus Johansson may not have done anything equally as egregious, but he also wasn't anywhere closer to the difference maker he was prior. I don't think Thursday's chemistry was an aberration, but it just might have been the high to yesterday's low, as well as a reminder of why the spot on the right spot of that line is ripe for the return of Jesper Bratt.
- Face-offs usually go overlooked in their impact on the game, but the Devils marked improvement in the dot has created so many chances that's it's almost been impossible to ignore. This time it led to the game-tying goal, and even if their numbers (that are nothing short of shocking, mind you) regress they should still continue to benefit what's sneakily been the most surprisingly aspect as of their hot start.
- This one was predictable. Damon Severson is far too often treated as the whipping boy when things go wrong, but there's something about having more room to make plays that really brings out the worst in his instincts. I tend to think his spot on the second powerplay unit, that hasn't gotten any better than it was last year, was inevitably going to be taken by a 4th forward at some point anyway, but it's clear I wasn't imagining his hesitancy in moving the puck while he was acting like one yesterday.
- I don't know that any Devils' fan still needed closure to the Peter DeBoer era in New Jersey. While it ended poorly, he wasn't exactly given much to work with as that Finals appearance crept further and further into the rearview and the franchise finally floundered its way towards a rebuild. That said, it's tough not to appreciate the irony of John Hynes passing him in games coached for the Devils while out-coaching him in New Jersey. - Holds breath...
...annnd let's out with a gasp...
- Bravo. Just, bravo...
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