New Jersey Devils: Closing Games Is Becoming A Problem

The New Jersey Devils fell in yet another shootout after failing to finish off an opponent at the end of the game.

The New Jersey Devils are in a bad way with all things considered. They fell in a shootout to the Edmonton Oilers. sending them to an 0-2-2 record. It was their best game of the season so far, but they couldn’t close out the win. Nico Hischier and Taylor Hall set up a Damon Severson goal to put the Devils ahead 3-2 late in the third period. Blake Coleman took a penalty late in the game, setting up a 6 on 4 power play for Edmonton with the goalie pulled and Connor McDavid tied the game with just over a minute left.

The Devils and Oilers played an incredibly entertaining overtime period as both teams have great offensive talent on their roster. Neither team scored in the overtime despite having some great chances, especially on the side of the New Jersey Devils.

The game went to the shootout where Leon Draisaitl scored the only goal to give Edmonton the win. It was the second shootout defeat handed to the Devils this season. Hopefully, they are able to figure that part out as well. They need to have the urgency in order to get wins in games they they had in hand at any point and that hasn’t been the case in any game they had the lead in so far this season.

This is the second game this season that the Devils blew that they should have won. They blew a 4-0 lead to the Winnipeg Jets in the season opener and now this game last night. It was not a good showing by the team late in the game. It got even worse when they took a penalty as they were trying to hold the Oilers off and that was ultimately what led to the Oilers tying up the game.

If the Devils don’t figure out how to close out wins, they are going to be in trouble soon. They are looking for their first win of the season when they visit the defending Eastern Conference Champion Boston Bruins on Saturday night. It is the Bruins’ home opener so hopefully, the Devils can go in there and spoil all the fun. If they get a lead late in the game, it is going to be the main focus to see if they can hang onto that lead. It has been a rough start to the season but there is hope knowing that if just a few things were slightly different they would be feeling much better.