Good morning Devils fans. Unfortunately, a similar story played out from the previous game as the Devils’ comeback attempt against the Florida Panthers came up short. Following two periods of average play and poor defensive management, the Black and Red were able to net a few goal and cut the lead to 1 before the game ended 4-3 Florida. The first period scoring began early. The first chance saw Jonas Sieganthaler look to clear along the wall with a waiting Michael Mcleod, only to be pinched by Panther forechecking, leading to a Sam Reinhart tip-in off of an Evan Rodrigues shot. Things didn’t improve as Brendan Smith wiffed at a bouncing puck to allow Carter Verhaeghe a rushing backhand goal to make it 2-0. The Devils began to feel fire at the end of the period with Tyler Toffoli trying every which way to shovel a chance in against Sergei Bobrovsky.
The 2nd period was a bit more back and forth. The Devils were able to get on the power play to open up some chances, including a Hughes-Bratt 2-on-1 that in retrospect I wished Jack would have just taken the shot on. Solid Florida passing led to Niko Mikkola finishing a Matthew Tkachuk crossing pass from the right corner. The Devils would have a few good chances before Timo Meier gets called the first of his penalties last night. Due to Vanacek’s reflexes, the Devils were able to escape the period only down 3-0.
The 3rd period began with another nail in the coffin as Sam Reinhart capitalized on power play with a tip in. The Devils would begin to bounce back with an Erik Haula tip in on the power play from a Jack Hughes blueline shot. Mcleod would go on to pop a loose puck from Haula and Holtz. Jesper Bratt would add another power play goal but time would expire before the comeback could be fully realized.
Highlights from the game can be found below:
If you get a chance, Ryan Novozinsky did a solid article on the post game comments from HC Lindy Ruff. You can check it out:
Ruff was critical of the play from many teammates, particularly Timo Meier, who ended up being benched in the 3rd. He may look to shuffle lines like he did mid-game, which resulted in Meier and Mercer switching lines.
Player Ratings Out of 10:
Meier - 4: Overvalued physicality as offensive creating force; looked good defensively with dangerous chances; bad penalty decisions;
Hischier - 5: Super active in 2-way and forecheck; vital to rush offense shutdowns
Palat - 3: Got gritty with forecheck;
Toffoli - 4: Had some chances up front; decent on the defensive side
J. Hughes - 6: Active during 5v5; tried to use speed for neutral zone entry but stifled; solid chances in 2nd with tricky skating moves;
Bratt - 7: Good rushing attempts, kept action alive during his shifts; really active in 3rd with a goal and assist
Mercer - 5: Consistently skated into to pressure to fight for possession;
Haula - 6: Showing his age in his skating speed; poor hooking decision; Added a goal
Holtz - 6: Good steals and stick handling; creative driving moves, should play top 6; looked more comfortable on PP; got first point of season
Lazar - 4: Fought to keep the puck in the Florida zone;
Mcleod - 6: Solid 2-way play and back skating; really aggressive forecheck;
Bastian - 5: Lacked decent finishing up close for chances;
Sieganthaler - 6: Sloppy clearance led to go first goal; looked stronger with physical defense in 2nd and 3rd;
Hamilton - 6: Had few chances in 1st; consistently active on both ends and accountable
Bahl - 7: Reactive positioning and falling back to close out chances; decent shutdown of chances late in the 1st;
Marino - 6: Ok in both zones; developing good chemistry with Bahl; good reads during PK
Smith - 3: Terrible clearance swipe led to Verhaeghe goal; couldn’t keep puck in the zone; regression from last game
L. Hughes - 5: Poor blind pass; getting better defensively with body positioning in 2nd period; active on offense in the 3rd
Vanacek - 4: First goal was deflected after bad Sieganthaler clearance; beautiful glove stop during 2nd period PK; he didn’t play great but most of those goals were tip-ins or defensive breakdown chances
Schmid - N/A
I understand this is the beginning of the season and like last season, the Devils are able to play from behind and win with comeback tenacity. But why can’t this team start strong on both ends? We have the talent, the money invested and, for better or worse, veteran coaching behind the bench. This core for the most part hasn’t changed a ton from last season, save a few pieces on the defense. The Devils desperately need to shake off this early season funk and simplify their game.
2. Don’t Rush
Speed is a great asset to have on a team. With a squad this young and quick, we should absolutely utilize it for scoring chances. That being said, this team needs to learn how to manage and move the puck better 5v5 in order control possession and create chances on their own terms. Against young goalie, those rush chances can be very capable of making a difference. However, against a talented veteran like Bobrovsky, you’re better off swinging the puck and his focus side-to-side until a pocket opens up. Let the opponent’s defense make the mistakes, not your impatient forwards. On subject of rushing things, outside of Nico Hischier, the other faceoff takers had a rough night percentage wise. If Jack Hughes wants to be the faceoff stalwart of his line, he’ll have to play like it.
3. Depth Scoring Starting to Show
On a bright side, we are getting contributions from players not named Bratt, Hughes, and Hamilton. Erik Haula netted his first goal and assist, Alexander Holtz grabbed his first assist as well, and Michael Mcleod got his first goal of the season. If we can start getting more consistent contributions from the other forwards, particularly Timo Meier, this could alleviate the pressure. Particularly, getting goals earlier in the game would put the pressure on the other team and the Devils can play the game on their terms instead of the other team’s.
The Devils will take on the Islanders on the road at UBS Arena this Friday, 10/20. Puck drops 7:30.
What are your thoughts? How much weight should put into the early season stumbles out of the gate?
Leave your thoughts and comments below. Raise Hell,
New Jersey Devils Blogger • 
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