They don’t ask how, they ask how many. That was a pretty ugly affair, but the game had to end sometime and fortunately after 60 minutes it ended in our favor, 5-4. Our new “4th line” led the way with Cody Glass potting two goals and Lenni Hameenaho added a goal and an assist.
1st Period
The Devils got on the board early for a change, with rookie Hameenaho burying his first career goal just 1:41 into the game. This play started with a nice face-off win by Glass to Nemec who fired a shot that took a hard bounce off the end boards. Lenni poked the rebound home off the bounce and (I think) off Lankinen. I like this whole get the lead early thing, we should try that more.
The rest of the first was generally a sloppy affair with pushes both ways, and the Devils finishing with an 8-7 shot lead, 12-7 scoring chance advantage. The only other thing that was a thing was a pretty dumb offensive zone trip on Bratt, but the PK shut it down. So far so good for Markstrom after 1. Emphasis on the “after 1” part (it’s called foreshadowing, look it up).
2nd Period
Sustaining good or at least reasonable play period to period has been a massive challenge for this team, but we got a power play early in the 2nd with Willander tripping Gritsyuk in the corner. After a few tries, they finally got a clean zone entry, got set up with Jack on the flank who found Nico in the bumper, and he buries it, 2-0 good guys at just 2:34 of the 2nd. I wanted to scream at them SEE!! SEE HOW EASY THAT IS!! DO THAT MORE! But since they are in my TV across the continent I don’t think they would’ve heard me.
Less than a minute later, our 4th line heroes would get on the board again, with Glass and Grits doing some strong board work and Lenni and Siegs with a nice give-and-go up top. Oops, Vancouver you forgot about Cody as he snuck in tipping it him. 3-0? in this economy? What is this offensive explosion, surely this one will be a cakewalk from here on out? PS, I think we should keep this line together.
Andddd Markstrom strikes. it can never be easy can it? He gives up an atrocious rebound on a muffin from the high slot. You are a professional goaltender, you need to catch that, man. Karlsson swooped in and banged home the rebound, closing the gap to 3-1.
We got another opportunity as Nico took a high stick to the face, drawing blood and giving us a 4 minute power play. The subsequent power play was the one we’ve come to know and hate as the zone entries were trash, and sure enough Bratt with an awful turnover at the blue line, leaving Dougie to defend a clean 3-1 on one. NJ’s finest Drew O’Connor floated a perfect pass to Blueger who buried it back across Marktrom. and its 3-2.
We got some more breathing room while still not the PP, as the second unit finally got in zone, and was able to work the puck around a bit. Gritsyuk with some good baiting work on the right flank allowing Brown to find a lane in the bumper – pass shoot score. and we are up 4-2 at 15:12 of the 2nd. Surely this time we can get to the room and lock it down in the 3rd, right?
Wrong. Mercer loses the draw cleanly, and Quinn Hughes Zeev Buium walked down the zone, cooked Cotter, floated a muffin on Markstrom, who left a nice juicy rebound sitting that Buium took care of himself. 4-3, heading to the 3rd.
3rd Period
This was a bit lower event period, but was not without its… moments. I was certain the Canucks were going to tie it up on Dadonov’s totally unnecessary trip in the neutral zone at 7:28, but the PK came through.
Glass comes thorugh again at 11:03, off a nice chip play from Timo. Lankinen probably wants that one back, but it’s about time we got one of those.
After some sloppy play, Vancouver pulled Lankinen with about 2:30 left. I don’t really know how else to describe what happened with the empty net except that is was some of the dumbest sequences of hockey with an empty net I’ve ever seen. We had maybe 20-30 seconds of actual O-zone time, and could not bury the ENG. Bratt got stopped by Elias Petterson, then he was stripped trying to dance at the blue line, Jack and Brown tried to be cute passing back and forth, Nico had one form the blue line blocked. I was literally cackling on my couch at these.
Vancouver did get the 4th to make it 5-4 with 1:12 left, but the Devils shut the door and closed it out. Totally unnecessary stress for this one, but a win’s a win and that is now 5 of 6. On to Seattle.
Some Scattered Thoughts
I thought Jack looked stronger on the puck than he has since his return – he was shooting a lot (5 attempts) and was more engaged physically. He’s still not right, but better.
Probably the worst game I’ve seen Bratt play. Not sure what his deal is, but he is generally sure handed, and just is fumbling the puck every where, had that brutal turnover and this is the longest scoring slump of his career.
I’m not convinced this top 6 works as constructed, and wouldn’t mind seeing some new combos up there. Don’t touch Lenni-Glass-Grits.
Dadonov, Fitz’s big scoring addition this summer, that he praised effusively in his recent press conference – what is it that this guy does exactly? Good thing I gambled on him to finally score.
Markstrom was pretty bad, he was leaving rebounds everywhere. He does this thing where he looks around/behind him on shots and he did that A LOT tonight. It’s a pretty good indicator he’s gonna be an adventure, and he finished .7 below expected on goals tonight.
Timo was 6/10 in the dot. lol. Guess he’s a center now?
That’s it! Stay warm, hope everyone survives the storm on the east coast (I’m not proud of the things I did at the grocery store earlier, sorry ma’am, wherever you are).
See you back here on Sunday and let us know your thoughts below!
LGD