The New Jersey Devils seem to always have a tough time when they visit the Calgary Flames but they did themselves no favors with all the penalties.
The New Jersey Devils didn’t have their best game when they made a trip up to play the Calgary Flames. Calgary has been a tough spot for New Jersey over the years and this game was no different. They were thoroughly defeated by the Flames. It wasn’t one of those games that the Devils played well and then blew it, they were just beaten. The final score was 5-2 and the Flames outshot the Devils by a final count of 38-23.
Part of the reason the shot count was so high was that the Devils took way too many penalties. They were behind the eight-ball for most of the game as a result, including the Flames cashing in on two of their six power plays. They also added in a goal 4 on 4 which is the result of the Devils taking a penalty and then drawing one on the penalty kill. The Devils went 0/3 on the power play themselves so they weren’t able to make up for it much at all.
Another bad thing about taking too many penalties is that you keep your best players from getting quality ice time. Taylor Hall and Jack Hughes aren’t killing penalties and you want those guys on the ice as much as you can get them out there. Nico Hischier is a penalty killer sometimes but he isn’t going to try to do anything too pretty out there while down a man so it is less than ideal to limit your three best players. Calgary is loaded with great players themselves so putting them on the power play a lot is never going to end well for you.
It is fitting that Jack Hughes took his first career penalty in this game but hopefully it doesn’t become a trend. He scored his first-ever goal at even strength off a nice feed by Taylor Hall. They were in between shifts because they’re not on the same line right now but they clearly should be playing next to each other. That is now nine points in the last eight games for Mr. Hughes.
It would be wise for the Devils to end this storyline right now because there is no shortage of skill on the team they are playing against tonight. The Edmonton Oilers are getting some great play from their two superstars in Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. Those two guys make up one of the three best lines in the league. Most people believe that McDavid is the best player in the NHL and Draisaitl is a top-10 player himself. Together, they create so many opportunities.
With McDavid and Draisaitl you need to be careful at even strength, the penalty kill, and on the power play because they are elite at all facets of the game. Taking penalties is no good against the Oilers because they will burn you. If the Devils can limit their chances, score some goals themselves, and get some good goaltending they have a chance to beat the Oilers.
When they played a few weeks ago in New Jersey, the Devils had the game all but won before McDavid scored with the goalie pulled to tie it. The Oilers won in the shootout so the Devils would be very happy to get some revenge here. It is a great opportunity to get back on track after a dud in Calgary. This is a huge road trip and it was going good until the Flames defeated them. If they can get a big win here they can go into the weekend with some confidence.