Here are my quick hits following the Devils’ big 4-2 W vs. CAR heading into another important game tonight in WSH:
Entering the Carolina game, I talked a lot about how important it would be that the Devils play a hard, detailed game and execute their focus on getting pucks in behind the CAR D, ending plays quickly in their DZ corners, and matching the intensity of the Canes right from the onset, and they did precisely that. Most importantly, they showed resilience at a few critical times in the game. For instance, their ability to get the game tied 1-1 while still in the first period was huge, thanks to Bratter's 9th goal of the season off a beautiful “deflection-pass” by Jack. Then, digging deep to regain a one-goal lead in the 3rd, after Svechnikov’s shocking and deflating game-tying goal just 12 seconds into the period, was Dougie, who would score a beauty GWG midway through the third off a hard-working play from Mercer and Tatar below the goal line. Great stuff!
In the post-game show, I joked with Rachel that Sheldon Keefe only had issues with his team’s performance for about 30 seconds in the 2nd period and about two minutes in the 3rd, so it was 57:30 minutes of solid hockey from Sheldon’s perspective.
Dougie was Due
Scoring his first 5v5 goal since last October and his first GWG since March 2023, Dougie finally was able to snap out of that 13-game goalless drought that he was on since a 3rd-period goal he scored inside the Rock vs. WSH back on October 19. While that goal wasn’t the GWG, it was an equally important GTG to force that game into overtime.
If you came across my last article, you’d know that my message around Dougie going into the CAR game was that the goals will come. Well, just like that, he blasts one in. Hopefully, the monkey is off his back for a while, and the goals keep coming now for NJD#7 because, as I also mentioned in my previous article and again on last game’s postgame show, Dougie is due to start regressing towards his career-average 6.3% Shooting %.
Pesce Stole the Show
When I chatted with Brett Pesce in the pregame skate, I could really sense the raw emotion, mostly rooted in excitement, that Pesce had before facing his former team for the first time. And boy, did it translate to a great game for him. Pesce was noticeable all throughout timely moments of this game in the DZ, getting sticks in lanes, making CAR force plays, and selling out, tying a career-high with six total blocked shots. That's the most blocks he’s had in a game since Oct. 2019, when he also had six in a game in WSH, so maybe a few more bruises will be added to the collection tonight!
Yes, some have been pointing to the fact that Pesce still hasn’t recorded a point this season - and that his partner Luke has equally struggled to produce points - but when guys like Pesce and Luke are feeling as good as they have been about their defensive game at both 5v5 and on the PK, there’s never a reason to second guess yourself or the impact you're making on a nightly basis in your role.
Noesen the Warrior
As if two former Canes having an outstanding game wasn’t enough, Stefan Noesen took home his 4th PPG of the season on a 5on3 to start the second period, which now has him tied with Bratter for the team lead in goals with 10. HC Keefe said in the postgame that Noesen was as sick all day and almost didn’t even play in this game, so for him to not only push through that but also then come through with a remarkable goal out of mid-air (to give the Devils the lead at a key 5on3 moment in this game, nonetheless), speaks volumes to the warrior that he is for this team.
Following up on a graphic I showed back in our pregame show vs. SJS, here’s an update on the situations in which Noesen is scoring. No, these aren’t just 10 “garbage goals” that he’s scoring when the game is 7-1 with 5 minutes left! 9 of Noesen’s 10 goals have now come with the game tied or within one goal, and 5 of which, including the PPG vs. CAR - are registered as go-ahead goals with the game tied before the play. And not shown on this graphic is the fact that Noesen’s five 5v5 primary assists this season have all come against WSH, so, who knows, maybe that’s a sign that the Noesen Magic will continue tonight in D.C.!
Looking ahead to tonight’s game in WSH, the Devils have another four-point, divisional game against a team ahead of them in the standings based on PTS%, so the stakes aren't getting any lower tonight.
Now, it’s no secret that this is a vulnerable Caps team right now, as they are suddenly missing their best player and captain, who was putting the team on his back and had scored 5 goals in his last 2 GP on his chase for Gr8ness. As I talk about in the clip below, Ovi fracturing his fibula is not only an incredibly devastating blow for Ovi himself, his teammates, and the WSH franchise, but it is equally a tough blow to the sport of hockey, the league, and its fans. Nobody is happy to see Ovi’s heroic push for the all-time goals record be put on pause for 4-6 weeks, and I feel bad for him, quite frankly.
With all that being said, though, I hope the Devils are able to take advantage of the fact that the Caps are potentially scrambling right now, coming off a 2-1 L to COL at home in their first game without the Great 8.
Be sure to join Rachel and me for tonight’s pregame show as we recap the CAR game, break down Marky and Pesce’s individual performances, preview the WSH game, and chat with a few NJD moms! It all starts at 6:30 p.m. on MSGSN2!
Let’s Go Devils!
-Sal
Here are some graphics from Thursday night's broadcast!
