The New Jersey Devils blew another third period lead against the Montreal Canadiens, eventually losing in overtime. It’s a theme that’s haunted the team all season.
How did it happen again? For the second time in as many games, the New Jersey Devils blew a third period lead and lost in overtime. Against the Montreal Canadiens on Monday night, the team allowed three third period goals to blow it.
It all started way back on October 28th. The team was playing the high-powered Chicago Blackhawks, with a lead in the third period. Vernon Fiddler took a four-minute double minor for high sticking with roughly five minutes left. Marian Hossa scored the tying goal with two minutes left. The Devils lost in overtime.
The next time it happened, Sidney Crosby scored with less than 15 second left. The Devils lost in a shootout.
It happened twice against the Edmonton Oilers. The New York Rangers did it against them twice as well.
In all, this has happened eight times this season. Eight time the Devils had a lead in the third period, allowed their opponent to tie the game, then the Devils lost in overtime or the shootout.
Think about this for a second. If the Devils win all of these games, games they should win, the team has 70 points and are the front runners for the last playoff spot.
The team’s lack of killer instinct is the sole reason why they are out of the playoffs.
The blame goes to literally everyone on the team. Head coach John Hynes need to take a chunk of the blame. This is his team. His team has not grown when it comes to keeping a hold of leads. He needs to team them tenacity, but it hasn’t happened.
Cory Schneider needs to take his share of the blame. He needs to make the big save when his team needs him too, and all season that hasn’t happened. It is the exact opposite of last year, where he had a worse supporting cast around him.
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The defenseman are allowing too many good shots, on top of forwards who sit in front of the net. Too many good looks will eventually lead to goals.
The forwards lack that killer instinct to try and get that extra goal. They seem content with trying to hold a lead instead of trying to extend it.
Yes, some of it is just bad luck, but that can’t be fixed. Max Pacioretty took a shot from the circle then It was tipped and went right through Schneider’s legs. The puck went an inch past the line when Andy Greene knocked it away.
The Devils make it really hard on its fans this year. While the team should be more fun, the way in which they lose is heart breaking. The team needs to change something. The player mentality is in the wrong place. This has happened too many times now to think it will just change.