Here we are again, 3 steps forward 2 steps back. Again. Points-wise this didn't matter, but vibes continue to be low after they cough up a lead to the bottom feeding Penguins.
The audio hadn't even switched over on the NHL Network when Mercer hit Haula on a partial break and 1 shot 1 goal from Uncle Erik. My dog hadn't even assumed his position next to me on the couch and was still circling and a little taken aback at my little fist pump. This is good, I like this. Through the first 6 minutes, the Devils absolutely dominated this game, leading to another old man goal from Palat. One of the Devils main offensive schemes is a 3-2, where a forward pops out up top in between the D. Seamus found Glass in this spot who sent a shot to the net, looking for a deflection which Uncle Ondrej obliged. 2-0 nothing this quick? Surely they can keep the gas pedal down and deliver a blowout here, right?
By the way, guess who is 3rd in the league in P/60 in the league behind only Quinn and Makar? That's right, our lil buddy Seamus (don't look at sample size). I just don't see how he can come out of the lineup right now. Yes - he is shooting 33%. That will come down, but the assists are coming in bunches, and this kid just finds lanes in the O-zone and creates chances. He is still underwater on some overarching metrics: 44% xGF and 47% CF. These rates are slightly above Nemec, however, he is almost a full goal lower than Nemec on xGA/60 (2.4 vs 3.2) and High Danger Chances against he is more than 1 lower than Nemec per game (1.8 vs 2.9). He is not making egregious mistakes, he is staying within the D-zone structure better and playing within his size limitations. Goalies are carrying a really high sv pct with Seamus on the ice relative to Simon on the ice, but looking at his play in zone, and xGA numbers - it isn't just the luck of the irish here.
Circling back, no they could not keep the gas pedal down. Speaking of the right side, our newly minted $20MM dollar man took one of the dumbest fucking penalites I've sever seen after eating shit for no reason and kicking a Pens legs out. Man this guy needs to find that elite level again because this conversation could start to get uncomfortable. While they killed the PP off, it led to some extended zone time and a goal against was en route - and the first of ridiculous bounces on the night. Luke got caught trying to keep that one out, moved his stick to get it out of the way and it wound up doing the opposite. Whoops.
So, the period ends at 2-1, we really did dominate here, and one bad penalty and an oopsie daisy and we got a game. Dominated shot attempts 23-15 and Scoring chances 14-7. But, another bad stick penalty - this time by Pesce 1 minute in and we are on the back foot and never really recovered from here. This led to bad bounce number 2, and maybeeee Allen could've done a better job on this rebound, but off his pad off Puustinen's leg and in. SO, 2-2 and - the theme of the day - bad penalties and bad bounces. Brett really got burned on this penalty: he gets way outside the dot and overcommits, Rakell cuts back on him, and he has to hook him.
He and Kovacevic may need a night or two off to reset - they have been warriors for us all season and we need them to be at their best for the playoffs. Gives Nemec a chance to get back in there, and word on the street is Dougie is ramping back up - at this point staying healthy and sharp is paramount because we will need everything these guys have against Carolina. Pesce is sporting a 45% xGF and Kovacevic is worse at 40% over their respective past ten games, and you can just see the mental lapses creeping in. Both of these penalties were a direct result of mental fatigue and it needs to be corrected. And if you need more convincing, Pesce took ANOTHER totally unnecessary penalty that was ANOTHER mental lapse. Absolutely zero reason to take down Rust at the end of the second, you have to be aware of the time on the clock, this is legit 101 stuff.
Starting on the PK just doesn't help us gain on foothold possession and chance wise. Our offense seemed to dry up - and a few things that generally frustrate me about this team were on full display. Their first instinct in the neutral zone is to move backwards to the D for re-groups. This allows the opposition to get set better, their D to set their gaps better. Further, on these re-groups the D will take too much time and just pass to a flat footed/covered forward - there is little room to actually keep moving in the neutral zone - that leads to a turnover or tip-dump in that we have no speed to disrupt on the forecheck. One of the things that made us so dangerous 2 years ago was immediately turning the puck up ice and constantly pushing forward, forcing breakdowns and getting in on their D better with a strong forecheck. In-zone, we play carousel on wraps to the points, but don't have the talent at the points to generate anything dangerous, except on occasion with Casey and Luke. We did spam our way to a shot/chance advantage in the 3rd, but most of the chances were from the exterior with no traffic in front. We made Jarry's life pretty easy and while we controlled the shot attempts 26-19 they had the scoring chance advantage 10-9, and HD Chances were basically even at 6-5.
I didn't see the penalty on Glass, and he's not on my shit list, but another stick penalty just dirves me fucking nuts. They converted on a gorgeous back door Rust -> Crosby set play, and this game was over, we just had no real pushes after this one. ENG to top it off.
Bad penalties, limited dangerous offense, mental mistakes. This team takes 3 steps forward and looks great, then 2 steps back and looks like the .500 team they are. This type of effort is going to get us blown out against Carolina, but I have faith they can ramp up and deliver the emotion that leads to wins. We just saw it against the Rangers and Minnesota.
Speaking of the Rangers, how's it going Steve? Got any golf plans for next week?
