If ever there was a chance for a letdown game, it came for the Devils in the form of a 4-2 loss against the Caps in D.C. this afternoon. The defeat ended a two-game winning streak to even their record to 4-4-0 on the season.
Coming off an emotional 7-1 blowout victory over the Hudson rival Rangers, when everything went their way, the Devils were unable to build on scoring the first goal for the third consecutive game. Instead, it was the heavier Caps who roared back by scoring four straight goals to build an insurmountable 4-1 lead that proved too much to overcome on Saturday.
The difference in the contest was the goaltending along with some defensive breakdowns that cost the Devils a chance at picking up a second road win this week. They had earlier went into Detroit and defeated the Red Wings 5-4 on a 3-on-3 overtime winner from cheat code extraordinaire Jack Hughes. He’s scored both his goals in 3-on-3 so far with none coming at 5-on-5. That’ll have to change soon for the Devils’ best player.
The first period was back and forth. In the early going, it was the Caps that generated some quality scoring chances against Jake Allen, who made a couple of strong saves to keep the game scoreless.
Following an empty first power play in which the second unit got the only two shots while the first unit struggled, the Devils got another crack at it when Boone Jenner was sent off for a cheap interference minor on Timo Meier, which sent him to the locker room. It was a bit of a high hit, but Meier was okay to return.
After the number one unit again spent too much time skating around and setting up to the right side due to mostly featuring left-handed shots, the second unit came on and made a difference that resulted in the game’s first goal. On some strong work down low from Stefan Noesen, Dawson Mercer worked the puck to Arseny Gritsyuk at the left circle. With nowhere to go with it, Gritsyuk wisely chose to take the shot that fooled Logan Thompson by sneaking in short side just after the power play expired.
It was his third goal in four games, with the second-year forward picking up his play since head coach Sheldon Keefe elevated him to the top line. In Thursday’s win over the Rangers, Gritsyuk had a key put away for a 4-0 cushion that chased Dylan Garand in the second period. The 25-year-old has continued to show growth from a rookie season that saw him produce 13 goals with 18 assists for 31 points in 66 games. He looks healthier since having off-season shoulder surgery.
Following the goal, Jesper Bratt nearly made it 2-0. Hughes and Bratt almost combined on one due to their speed that created a high-danger scoring chance in front, which Thompson made a key stop on to deny the bid. That proved to be a turning point in the period.
The Caps were able to earn a power play due to Lane Hutson using his speed to draw an interference minor on Brett Pesce. For most of the penalty, the Devils looked to be in good shape. However, a momentary lapse in coverage allowed Ryan Leonard to tie the game with a power-play goal.
On a play that was started by Thompson up to Jakob Chychrun, he led Leonard through the neutral zone. He was able to then do the rest by faking out Luke Hughes by getting inside on the entry and then coming in and beating Allen with a nice forehand tuck that made it 1-1.
The second period was one to forget. The Devils were outscored 3-0 and outshot 12-7 in a disappointing period that looked eerily similar to last season against a good opponent.
On a play that was started by Vincent Desharnais, he moved the puck up for Alex Ovechkin, who gained the zone. With enough time and space to make a play, Ovechkin made a nice saucer pass across for an open Ilya Protas, whose snapshot beat Allen glove side for a 2-1 lead just 76 seconds into the period.
Jonas Siegenthaler left a bit too much space. However, the Devils had players back defensively. The onus was on Allen who didn’t make the stop his team needed.
Following a pair of saves from Thompson that kept Hughes and Cody Glass from tying it, the Caps top line struck for the second goal of the period. On a good forecheck from Jordan Kyrou, he and Alex Tuch combined to find Dylan Strome for a backhand put away in front that made it 3-1 only 3:20 later.
With only Jonathan Kovacevic back, he couldn’t take both players. Unfortunately, Hughes was late on the coverage that allowed Strome to score an easy one. That wasn’t the only time Hughes was in the wrong position on a goal against.
The Devils had trouble establishing their offense when they fell behind by two. They rely heavily on their team speed and transition game. However, the bigger Caps did a good job limiting them to the outside while blocking shots. Their physicality was a noticeable difference in the period.
Washington got a backbreaking fourth goal with less than nine minutes left. Following a successful penalty kill of a Luke Hughes hooking minor, older brother Jack lost a faceoff and then his man on a Jenner tally that put the Devils behind 4-1. Since he signed with the Caps, Jenner has gotten off to a good start. His four goals rank second behind Tuch, who leads them with five so far.
With the remainder of the second played entirely at 5-on-5, the Devils found it tough to get shots through on the sturdy Caps defense, which was still without Rasmus Sandin (long-term injured reserve) and Matt Roy. They had 15 blocks through two periods.
Before the second expired, Allen prevented Strome from extending the lead to four with a big stop on another play in front. For the day, he finished with 21 saves on 25 shots. If there’s an early concern, Allen has allowed four goals in each of his last two starts. Even though he wasn’t totally to blame, he hasn’t performed well as the Devils 1A starter. In fact, he’s given up four or more in three of five starts this season.
Now trailing by three in the third period, the Devils were more aggressive by creating good opportunities early and often. However, Thompson didn’t cooperate. He made some big saves on Hughes, Bratt, and then later denied Nico Hischier.
Despite having the territorial edge in play by outshooting the Caps 17-5, the Devils couldn’t get the puck by Thompson, who continued to solidify why he’s become one of the league’s best goalies. With Igor Shesterkin out for the season, and Connor Hellebuyck still hoping for a trade outside of Winnipeg, it looks like Thompson will be in the mix for the Vezina. He finished with 29 saves to earn the game’s first star.
By the time the Devils made it 4-2, it was too little, too late. On a power play drawn by Evan Rodrigues, Meier got his first with less than 20 seconds remaining from Gritsyuk and Jesper Boqvist.
For one of their highest paid players, it felt like a goal in garbage time. Let’s put it this way. Before the Yankees won the World Series in 2009, Alex Rodriguez used to hit a lot of meaningless home runs. So much so that fans used to refer to them as an A-Rod homer, which meant almost like stat padding.
This isn’t to make Meier’s goal feel insignificant, but Devils fans are used to him not delivering when it really matters. At least he picked up a pair of primary helpers on Thursday. So, he has three of his four points in two games. We’ll see if he can follow up his goal with a big week coming up that has the Devils on a three-game homestand against the high-powered Avalanche Oct. 20, the Ducks Oct. 22, and the Kings next Saturday, Oct. 24.
First Power Play Unit Too Predictable
Having seen them fail badly on a full two-minute 5-on-3 against the Rangers, the Devils first power play unit isn’t generating enough shots. On Thursday night, the five-man unit that features both Hughes brothers, Hischier, Bratt, and at least for now, Rodrigues is too focused on setting up from the right side.
With their four best players left-handed shooters, it makes it predictable for a good penalty killing unit to defend. They know that both Jack and Luke will do a lot of skating and give and goes with Bratt usually in the trigger position while the one righty Rodrigues plays in the left circle. Hischier will either come up high in the slot or be directly in front. It’s taking too much time to get going.
Considering how successful the second unit is due to being more simple by looking to shoot, it’s no wonder that they’ve looked better thus far. Both the Devils’ goals came with Gritsyuk out. He scored once a power play expired and set up Meier on the man-advantage.
Perhaps Keefe should consider making a switch. As skilled as Luke Hughes is, it would probably be wiser to feature Dougie Hamilton on the point. With a proven right-handed shot, he could one-time the puck from the left side to keep opponents from cheating over.
Noesen and Mantha Find Chemistry
In the loss, it wasn’t all negative. Both Noesen and Mantha continue to find chemistry on the third line with Rodrigues, who’s been a good fit so far after coming with Boqvist from Florida in exchange for Jacob Markstrom.
In addition to picking up a point for the third straight game Noesen nearly had Mantha for a goal when it was close. For a player that was available on waivers, the veteran has done a nice job since returning to the lineup. As for Mantha, he’s fit in better since Keefe switched him to the third line. He was twice set up in strong position, but Thompson denied Mantha on both shots.
Evangelista Remains Out
For a third straight game, Luke Evangelista remained out of the lineup due to battling an illness. In five games, he has two goals and an assist for three points. He hasn’t played since Oct. 12.
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