The New Jersey Devils lost to the Columbus Blue Jackets by a final score of 4-1. Another game without Taylor Hall, and Keith Kinkaid getting the start on the second half of a back to back. The Jackets just have the Devils number, winning all but one matchup over the past two seasons.
It is very hard to win a game when you relinquish the first goal of the game just 45 seconds into the contest. That’s exactly what happened on Tuesday night. Then a few minutes later it was 2-0. The entire blame should not be put on Keith Kinkaid because the entire team needs to play better in front of him, but a goalie who bails his team out is something this team needs to win.
It is also getting to the point where Taylor Hall is missed. In the Chicago game the night before, the offense showed up played well all things considered. However, his absence is still very noticeable to those who know what he brings on a nightly basis. Nobody on the team and few others in the NHL can skate the neutral zone and carry the puck with speed like him.
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Maybe if he is out there to start the game, his speed helps prevent the first Blue Jackets goal and they’re not down early. Maybe he helps them answer the goal quickly instead of scoring one goal late in the game that meant nothing. No matter how you put it, the Devils need Taylor Hall’s production to win with consistently. Especially if everyone else chips in like they have for the majority of his injury.
A lot has been made about how good Black Coleman has been this season, and he added another goal in the loss. It was when the Devils were down 4-0 so it would be considered “garbage time,” but it doesn’t take away from the fact that Coleman is scoring regularly, his 17th of the season.
So what should the Devils do going forward? Should they start Blackwood a majority of the stretch and chase a playoff spot or run a nice mix of him, Keith Kinkaid (unless he is traded) and Cory Schneider and prepare for next season? It is hard to predict how it will go, because 15th in the NHL and 31st in the NHL is separated by eleven standings points, so a six game winning streak could crawl any team right back into it.
The New Jersey Devils have the New York Islanders on Thursday, in New York. They will look to compete with an Islanders team that has surprised many, and hold a playoff spot going into the action even though they lost their captain and best player John Tavares. MacKenzie Blackwood will likely start in net.