New Jersey Devils Finally Stop The Slide Against Boston Bruins
The New Jersey Devils finally ended their losing skid on the second half of a back to back against the Boston Bruins. Both games still left a lot to be desired. Being pummeled by their biggest rival in the New York Rangers is never good and it was a game they only looked competitive in for about five minutes. Against the Bruins, the game was a far slower pace but they were outplayed for a good chunk of it. Without a top-tier goaltending performance, it would have been a loss.
The Good
Scott Wedgewood was finally given a chance after being passed over for Aaron Dell as the backup. He showed up to steal the Devils two points after five-straight losses. This was a hard shut out as well with some big saves in the slot on key Bruins players. His opponent fired 40 shots on him. He should be given the chance to follow this up next game.
Nathan Bastian played a decent game for a goal and assist against the Rangers and followed it up back on the maximum effort line with Michael McLeod and Miles Wood. Seeing these three reunited in the second game against Boston was great because they bring energy to the team and are great fun to watch. Even without a goal against the Bruins they were good out their and other teams need to be aware of the speed and physicality.
The Bad
Mackenzie Blackwood has been surprisingly bad and got crushed by the Rangers for five goals against after the team allowed six the game before. Something is clearly off with him right now and the team would be better off with him sitting for now.
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The penalty kill and defense have been passive for a while and it was exemplified perfectly by watching Adam Fox walk through the team on a Ranger powerplay to score. Two minutes into a game allowing a goal is draining, and the fact it should have been easy for the defenders to just close the gap early and be an easy save for Blackwood made it all the worse. The penalty kill took the wind from the sails right away and the game was all Rangers from then on besides a small burst of goals from P.K. Subban and Mikhail Malstev.
Jack Hughes was pushing the net well like always and his goal that was disallowed really would have changed the game against the Bruins. His play has been fantastic, but not getting the points he deserves really could wear on a star at some point. It is too bad that touching a puck with the hand and getting a lucky bounce was ruled a hand pass.
Sami Vatanen has been bad as of late and in both games his passing was off and he looks hesitant to play with any physicality. It is really amazing to see someone who was the Devils best defender last season look like a number 6 out their and Butcher being pulled over him was a little surprising. His value as of now is hard to pin point but the Devils should be looking at getting rid of him at the deadline while there are some who think he is #3-4 defender.