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The Devils kicked off a four-game Western Canada road trip in Winnipeg on Tuesday, and it didn't go overly well.
After a four-shot 1st period, the Devils followed that up with just five in the 2nd and really didn't get going until in the 3rd period when the Jets were already up a pair.
As such, the Devils couldn't overcome the deficit and have now lost consecutive games in regulation.
10 takeaways:
1. I actually thought Cory Schneider was very good - he stopped 31-34 (.912SV%) - and gave the Devils a chance to get their feet underneath themselves, but it's about time he gets a night off. It doesn't have to be next game, but he's played 19 in a row and that's a lot for even the best athletes to handle. A very good backup in Josh Harding passed through waivers yesterday, so if you're passing up an opportunity to bring in help that obviously means you're confident in what you have. If that is the case, you have to use it. Schneider can't start 80 games, and if he does he'll be completely burnt out by the time the playoffs roll around (if they make it).
2. Next up is Edmonton Friday, so Schneider will have a couple days to rest before that. They play again Saturday, though, so it's as good of a time as any to get the backup in there and give Schneider a day off. He obviously wants to play in Vancouver next Tuesday, so if you don't sit him in a weekend game he'll be up to 22 straight games by next week.
3. A lot of doom and gloom on social media once again last night. That seems to be the case almost every time the team loses, so I recommend a deep breathe and a look at the standings. They're one point out of the playoffs and there are over 60 games left in the season. No need to panic.
4. Mathieu Perrault scored and was all over the ice, especially in tight. Does any other player under 6'0' spend more time around the crease than he does? I don't think so.
5. I've been on the Adam Larsson train of late, but he didn't play his best game in Winnipeg. He was absolutely crushed in possession with Seth Helgesson (72% of even-strength shot attempts were against the Devils with that pairing on the ice) and was on for a couple goals against, too. It sounds like Jon Merrill is getting close and Pete Harrold is now with the team, so this is not the time for Larsson to struggle if he wants to stay in the lineup.
6. One positive for the Devils: their penalty kill was a perfect 5/5. I believe they've killed off almost 20 in a row, so at least they have that going for them.
7. Really liked Damon Severson's game. He was shooting a ton (had five SOG), and was one of a few Devils who actually fared well in possession. He has slowed down a little since his hot start, but I think he was very good in this one.
8. Severson and Eric Gelinas led all Devils players with 11 shifts in the 3rd period. They were trailing, obviously, so good on DeBoer for consistently getting out his biggest offensive threats on the backend. Up front, Mike Cammalleri took the most shifts with 10.
9. The 4th line of Zubrus - Gionta - Bernier was abysmal last night. They had been good in recent games, so it could have just been a night off. Either way, I'd like to see Jacob Josefson get back into the lineup.
10. Pete DeBoer said Adam Henrique looked rusty, and I agree with that assessment 100%. The good news is he has a lot more to give, obviously, as he was crushed in possession and didn't record a shot.
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