Wanna blog? Start your own hockey blog with My HockeyBuzz. Register for free today!
 

Rangers 6, Devils 3: Defense putrid...again

January 10, 2020, 9:51 AM ET [165 Comments]
Todd Cordell
New Jersey Devils Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
Follow me on Twitter @ToddCordell

A few thoughts from New Jersey vs New York:

1. The Devils couldn’t defend...again

They were a trainwreck – to the point of embarrassment – in their own zone against the Islanders, a less than mediocre offensive team that ranks 28th in goals. Mackenzie Blackwood is the only reason their overtime loss wasn’t a blowout instead.

I figured the Devils would come out with a much better effort vs the Rangers. Not only because of the expected response from a performance that poor, but the fact it was against their biggest rival. They were poor once again, which should have been obvious when they allowed an excellent chance ~13 seconds into the game.

While the Devils did a better job of keeping the Rangers out of the home plate area, the defense was still quite suspect. They were bad in transition, there were way too many misreads and blown assignments, and they couldn’t keep the traffic out of Blackwood’s sightlines. He wasn’t on his game to begin with and that only made matters worse.

It’s amazing how bad things are if Blackwood is anything less than spectacular. I can only imagine how the Devils will fare this weekend when they give Louis Domingue one of the B2B starts.

2. No answer for Tony DeAngelo

Artemi Panarin was awesome, as usual. Mika Zibanejad was awesome, as usual. But it was Tony DeAngelo who stole the show. The ultra-gifted offensive defensemen had the puck on a string throughout.

Whether carrying the mail up ice, or walking the blueline in the offensive zone, he was given nothing but time to make plays. And he made them! His passes consistently found tape, even if they were bouncing off the boards first, and seemingly every shot DeAngelo attempted found its way through traffic.

Very early on it became evident he was on his game and the Devils couldn’t adjust. They continued to give DeAngelo time and space to dissect the team’s defense, and he continued to take advantage.

When all was said and done, DeAngelo led the Rangers in Corsi For% and finished with a +4 goal differential at 5v5.

In terms of individual outputs he piled up 10 attempts, seven shots on goal, three goals, and a pair of primary assists. It was as dominant of a performance as you’ll see.

3. Jesper Boqvist quietly strong

I thought Boqvist was one of the Devils’ better offensive players against the Islanders. He didn’t score but he used his speed effectively and generated a few powerful shots off the rush. He took it up a notch last night.

The Devils out-attempted the Rangers 27-13 (!) with Boqvist on the ice at 5v5. He was a big part of the offense, generating six attempts and three scoring chances alone. Though nothing came of it, it’s nice to see him with the puck so frequently and confidently making plays. If he keeps getting looks, the points will come sooner than later.

Hopefully he continues to get some top-6 reps while Jesper Bratt is out.

4. The chance machine came through

Entering play, only John Tavares, Patrick Kane, and Max Pacioretty had recorded more 5v5 chances than Blake Coleman over their last 15 games. Watching Coleman vs the Rangers, it was easy to see why. The guy was a puck hound and never missed a chance to get the puck on net. He generated a few dangerous shots, scored on a beautiful deflection, and was gifted another marker on a somewhat controversial call.

Coleman is now on pace for ~27 goals and 42 points despite the fact; a) the Devils suck offensively and; b) he doesn’t play on the man advantage. He’s a player.

5. Bring back Michael McLeod

I’m skeptical he can be anything more than a bottom-6 forward. Even so, I’d like to see him learning to ply his trade at the NHL level. The season is completely lost. Why not give opportunities to kids rather than journeymen with no future in New Jersey? All due respect to Ben Street, I’m not sure what purpose he is serving playing *checks notes* 3:55 on the 4th line. Call McLeod up, give him a regular shift in the bottom-6 as well as some PK reps, and see what he can do over an extended period of time. The same could probably be said of Nathan Bastian.

Recent Posts

Isles 4, Devils 3: Blackwood steals a point

Midseason Vezina Trophy picks

Midseason Norris Trophy picks

Midseason Hart Trophy picks

New Jersey’s three stars of the month for December

Taking a closer look at the Hall trade

Report: Miles Wood is on the trade block
Join the Discussion: » 165 Comments » Post New Comment
More from Todd Cordell
» Thank you
» On the Chayka rumors and finalists for the Devils' GM job
» Notes on quotes from Lindy Ruff's appearance on 31 Thoughts
» The New Jersey Devils may not have hired the coach they wanted
» Notes on quotes from Ruff, Fitzgerald, and Devils ownership