The New Jersey Devils are a very bad hockey team. It gets even worse every game as they have now lost nine of their last ten games. They were defeated by the Toronto Maple Leafs this week leading into the All-Star break. It was as embarrassing as it could possibly be.
The first game was a game in which New Jersey led 4-2. They allowed the Leafs to come all the way back and win. One night later, the Leafs and Devils came back to New Jersey where it was pure domination for Toronto.
They won the game 7-1 much to the disgrace of every Devils fan in attendance. They continue to be one of the worst teams in the National Hockey League and it is hard to watch on pretty much a nightly basis.
One of the biggest reasons that they were embarrassed this week is the play of Maple Leafs superstar, Auston Matthews. In the first game, he scored a hat trick which gave him a second straight hat trick against New Jersey. He chipped in an assist to give him four points on the night.
The New Jersey Devils can’t stop Auston Matthews. It’s really hard to watch.
What made him so special in this game was actually his assist on Mitch Marner’s goal. He is so dangerous as a shooter that goalies are fooled when he makes brilliant passes. Well, low and behold, he is one of the best players in the NHL so he was able to make an outstandingly sneaky pass to Mitch Marner who tied it.
One night later, he was very underwhelming with only one goal and one assist in the 7-1 blowout. He proved once again that he loves playing the Devils no matter what. Six points in two games are magnificent for him but the Devils can’t stop him which is infuriating.
Matthews wasn’t the only outstanding player either. Marner actually had one more point than Matthews over the two games with seven. His goal-scoring streak now stands at a career-high of seven. These two are a dynamic duo and they absolutely dominated New Jersey.
What is it that makes Auston Matthews so dangerous? Well, he is dynamic and skilled which helps. However, he is extra successful against the Devils because of the fact that they are easy to play against. They aren’t hard on pucks and don’t make good decisions. As a result, someone as tenacious and skilled as Matthews owns them.
Now, Jack Hughes will join Auston Matthews at the NHL All-Star Game over the weekend. He has been magnificent so you can be happy for him but this team is awful. This break was much needed and we can only hope that this thing turns around at some point.