Pucks and Pitchforks
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New Jersey Devils Record Huge Win In Boston

By David Holliday

NEWARK, NEW JERSEY - JANUARY 14: Tuukka Rask #40 of the Boston Bruins is unable to stop a shot by Ty Smith #24 of the New Jersey Devils as Kyle Palmieri #21 of the Devils block in front in the third period during the home opening game at Prudential Center on January 14, 2021 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
NEWARK, NEW JERSEY - JANUARY 14: Tuukka Rask #40 of the Boston Bruins is unable to stop a shot by Ty Smith #24 of the New Jersey Devils as Kyle Palmieri #21 of the Devils block in front in the third period during the home opening game at Prudential Center on January 14, 2021 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
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The New Jersey Devils had a tough test and one they passed on Thursday night in defeating the division leading Boston Bruins. This team is looking good and could make a legitimate playoff push. It was a solid game all around and there were a lot of positives to take a look at.

The Good

Kyle Palmieri finally scored his first goal of the season on an absolutely amazing pass from Jack Hughes. After this, it did not take long for the Devils best goal scorer to get into the rhythm he has had for years, scoring his second just minutes later to give the Devils some breathing room. He has been consistent when in the lineup. It was almost taken for granted that he would be the top goal scorer and would be putting up a 25+ goal season, in a full season, so him finding his way is huge. This is a night he will  have to build off of and with Nico Hischier returning soon things should be trending up in a big way for Kyle Palmieri.

The fourth line continued the physical play against the big bad Bruins, who have been known to take a lot of liberties with players in the past, especially on the Devils. It is fantastic to see them never backing down and the whole team really seems to feed off of their energy and heart. Miles Wood, Nathan Bastian, and Michael McLeod even when not putting up points are a big part of the team this season.

The return of Dmitry Kulikov paid off in a big way as he played the solid reliable physical role the Devils needed so bad on the back end for years. While he gives you no flash he gives you what the team needs and it is very noticeable.

Will Butcher held his spot in the lineup for a second game and put up another assist. He wasn’t the most noticeable but if he can quietly play a solid game it should be enough to keep him above being the 7th man.

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On the goaltending end not a lot needs to be said. Blackwood is the best young goalie in the league and super under rated.

The Bad

The special teams, especially the penalty kill, continues to kill the Devils, who let in another pair of goals including a late one that could have spelt disaster. Coming into the game, the Devils were sitting at 69% on the PK. This is good for dead last in the league. This is an area that needs a huge shake up. In a league where most teams are normally 80%, this is just unacceptable at this point so changing the players around should be done as soon as possible instead of waiting on Hischier and Zajac to return and hopefully salvage it.

The powerplay as well continues its woes going 0/4 and as a team they sit 7th last in the league. The set up has been odd all year and having two right shots on the point is a questionable choice. With the small change in this spot it should open up one timers and lanes since there is a legitimate threat from more than one spot on the ice.

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