Lesson #3: Lean on defense, not goaltending
The biggest move the Devils made this offseason was upgrading the goaltending. They’ve officially moved on from the previous era of goaltendings, sending away Vitek Vanecek in a move for Kaapo Kahkonen at the deadline last year, then trading for Jacob Markstrom this offseason. Many thought the Devils, with Markstrom and Allen in net, could rely on them when they don’t have their best efforts in front of them.
Outside of the game against the Lightning, both Allen and Markstrom have been relatively good. The numbers don’t always bear out, but for the most part, they are both serviceable. However, it’s the nights where the defense isn’t at its best where the goalies are falling down. In games where the Devils have allowed 10 or more high-danger chances against, they are 1-4. This includes against the Islanders, where they beat them 20-12 in HDCF. They still lost because they gave up too many high-danger chances.
The Devils did have to rely on some replacements on the defensive side, but the reinforcements have returned. Luke Hughes and Brett Pesce are back in the lineup, and Seamus Casey and Simon Nemec are now growing outside of the daily NHL lineup. Both Hughes and Pesce are leading the team (again, outside of one Dowling game) in HDCF%. They are dominating as far as the highest chances are concerned when they are on the ice.
Relying on defense to stop chances entirely is much more important than relying on a goaltender to stop them. That’s how the Devils will win, especially with the difficult schedule ahead of them.