Click to set custom HTML
I suppose it was a matter of time before it caught up to them. If only because the start to their season was nothing short of stellar, the Devils play has been trending in the wrong direction as of late. That might seem like a weird thing to say about what was the last remaining undefeated team in the league prior to last night, but Keith Kinkaid and quality puck luck were quite helpful in covering up any holes in their game. Of course, neither the former (Kinks played well) or the latter (Boyle's ankle put them ahead in the 3rd) worked against them last night, which really speaks to how undisciplined - in play and penalties - they were throughout a contest that, score aside, predominantly felt like an uphill battle. The beauty of starting 4-0, as opposed to 2-2 or the like, is that coming away from a game you led halfway through the 3rd period can be viewed as a reality check instead of an abject disaster. Not to overreact, but the Devils probably needed to leave the ice looking at a scoreboard that reflected a relatively ugly effort as they head outside the friendly confines of the Prudential Center for the first time all season. I suppose shutting down superstar after superstar wasn't a habit that had all that much staying power for a defense that doesn't have much firepower, but the Landeskog-McKinnon-Rantanen line gave them an undeniable reminder of the consistency and structure they need to play with to control the damage done by the more dominant offensive players in the league. Sometimes you have to tip your cap (or in Gabriel Landeskog's case, throw your hat) to the talent, but - contrary to what the game-winning goal might have you believe - you don't have to trip all over yourself in awe of it.
As far as specific players are concerned, it's the one that wasn't on the ice when it was at its most tilted that is easily the biggest story. It's probably not much of a coincidence that the (potentially prolonged) absence of Travis Zajac coincided with a sloppy second and a disappointing third, as him being at the top of his game at both ends of the ice has been a huge boost in having the Devils a step ahead coming out of the gates. His injury certainly looked like the type whose recovery would require a hell of a lot more than an ice pack, but fingers crossed it's not as long term as it appeared, as he's about as irreplaceable in the lineup as his dumbass detractors think he is replaceable in the lineup.
To end on a positive note, the Devils' first two goals, that not-so-coincidentally came off the sticks of those who were far overdue for them, were gorgeous displays of the type of puck movement that this franchise wouldn't even dare dream of just a few short years ago. Both Nico Hischier and Taylor Hall capped off passing plays that just make you sit back, smile, and appreciate the trajectory of the team's talent, even having come on a night when it didn't put forth its peak performance.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Categories
All
Archives
January 2020
|