New Jersey Devils Lose Crushing Game In Overtime Against Boston Bruins
By David Berger
In a game the New Jersey Devils desperately needed if they wanted a realistic shot at the playoffs, they were unable to come away with two points. They fought and they fought, but the Boston Bruins were able to hold them off and prevail 3-2 in overtime. This is what the New Jersey Devils do; they suck you in and then crush you. Just when you’re starting to believe they can really pull off a miracle, you get a harsh smack back into reality. The Devils aren’t the worst team in the league, but they’re not playoff caliber either.
Feb 23, 2015; Newark, NJ, USA; New Jersey Devils left wing Mike Cammalleri (23) and New Jersey Devils right wing Jordin Tootoo (20) celebrate Cammalleri’s goal.
With a regulation win, the Devils would have been able to pull within six of Boston. Instead, they are now nine points back after losing in OT. The playoffs are still possible, but they are less likely after tonight’s loss. The first game after trading Jaromir Jagr to the Florida Panthers did not start off very well as the Devils were behind the eight ball from the opening puck drop. It was reminiscent of the previous game against the Bruins in early January.
Boston would outshoot the Devils 12-4 and get a 1-0 lead thanks to Daniel Paille. Unfortunately, it was an egregious turnover by Adam Larsson that set the whole play in motion. He made a mistake, but you can forgive him because he’s been so good the last few months. Under Peter DeBoer, Larsson would likely have been benched after a giveaway like that. Instead he has confidence from his coaches now and he actually played a pretty good game all things considered.
The second period didn’t start any better for New Jersey, but they refused to surrender another thanks to Cory Schneider. Overall Schneider stopped 31 of 34 shots and was terrific as usual. However, the Devils simply just could not do much to generate offense, or defense for that matter. Finally, with about five minutes left in the frame the Devils would wake up and really turn it on. They looked like a different team. That being said, they couldn’t resist taking their patented late second period penalty to put them in a hole to start the third.
Just like the previous game against Calgary, they would give up an early third period goal this time to David Pastrnak. Down 2-0 seemed impossible to come back from, but the Devils found something. They dug deep and played an inspired final 18 minutes. They got a power play and were able to convert as Travis Zajac buried a rebound into a yawning net. It was his ninth goal of the season and a huge one for the Devils.
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Less than three minutes later, the dynamic duo of Mike Cammalleri and Jordin Tootoo would combine yet again to tie it up. Cammy forced a turnover and entered the zone drawing a penalty that the Devils wouldn’t need. He drew the entire Bruins team to him and dropped a pass off to Tootoo who shot into an empty net. Those two playing on a line with Zajac have been the best Devils the past few weeks. Both Cammalleri and Tootoo are now riding five-game point streaks.
Now the question was could they get another one? Well, they had chances. Both sides were pouring it on, but it would need overtime. That’s where Ryan Spooner would convert a 4-on-2 for his first NHL goal and seal the deal. You have to credit the Devils for fighting back, but it wasn’t enough. They needed two points and they couldn’t get it. I’m happy with the way they played the third period, but what if they played that way for the first 40? Sadly, that’s the story of the season.