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As much as the shootout or anything else hurt the Devils last season, a case could be made their dreadfully slow start was the reason they fell five points short of a playoff spot.
The Devils are out to make sure that isn't an issue this year, though, as they topped the Lightning in Tampa Bay to move to 3-0-0 on the season.
10 takeaways:
1. It hasn't always been pretty, but the Devils are 3-0-0 on the season with road wins in Philadelphia, Florida and Tampa Bay. Sure they've had some things go their way, but it's hard to complain about a plus-7 goal differential and six points through three games; especially when two were against teams that made the playoffs in 2013-14.
2. Cory Schneider was excellent throughout the game in its entirety, but the first 10 minutes of the game are exactly why the Devils paid him big money. They came out a little sloppy and handed the Lightning an early power play, and he made seven or eight saves - including a few big ones - before New Jersey even registered a shot.
He allowed them to get their feet underneath themselves, and once they did that they played a solid game. Schneider was the 1st star for a reason.
3. Through three games Schneider has stopped 89-95, which is good for a .937SV%. That's not a bad way to start a season.
4. For my money Damon Severson was the best defenseman on the team in Tampa. He took a couple penalties but looked calm with the puck, made good outlets and was excellent in possession while playing primarily against Steven Stamkos' line. That's encouraging to say the least.
5. Something the Devils are doing that I really like: giving Andy Greene 1-2 power play shifts a game. Right now Severson, Marek Zidlicky, Eric Gelinas and Jon Merrill are patrolling the blue line on their power plays. Greene is fine in that role, but they have other options and giving him some extra rest can't hurt considering the amount of minutes he plays, and the competition he faces. It'll be interesting to see if Pete DeBoer continues doing this.
6. Travis Zajac was exceptional against the Bolts. He broke up no less than three plays in the defensive zone, and was always back as a safe outlet if the defense was in trouble. He also scored, had a couple shots and was a 66% possession player. That was good for 3rd on the team behind only Severson and Jaromir Jagr.
7. How about that Mike Cammalleri fellow? He's off to about as good of a start as anyone could have imagined. Through three games he has four goals, an assist and the team is 3-0-0. It's early, but he's looking like a great addition to the team.
8. Bryce Salvador was...not very good. He was poor in the possession game, had a few bad turnovers and was beaten bad on the Lightning's only goal. He needs to be better.
9. The 4th line didn't start a shift in the offensive zone so I won't be too hard on them, but again I didn't think they were very good. At least they didn't take a penalty. I wouldn't mind seeing Damien Brunner in for Jordin Tootoo next game to give them more speed and offensive punch, but the team is 3-0-0 so I doubt they change anything.
10. Through three games the Devils and New York Islanders sit atop the Metro Division with 3-0-0 records while the New York Rangers are 1-3-0 and have allowed 19 goals in four games. Hockey is a strange sport, isn't it?
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