SAL'S QUICK HITS: BIG GAME IN THE BIG APPLE

December 02, 2024

Bryce Salvador


Here are my quick hits following the Devils’ 6-5 L vs. WSH heading into tonight’s game against NYR:

PK 
Anytime you concede three unanswered PPGs in a game like the Devils did – let alone all in one period! – you tend to just look past it when your PK has been as solid as it’s been this season. 

Mentally Resilient
Now, with the PK anomaly out of the way, I loved that, once again, the Devils were down but not out in a game. For WSH to score two goals in 1:07 to take the lead in the 2nd period, and two goals in 0:10 to take the lead in the 3rd, and to see the Devils still scratch and claw to get back in this game (on the second half of a back-to-back!) after these deflating moments speaks to the resilience we continue to witness this team exude on a nightly basis. No matter what the score is, it feels like the Devils are never out of games this season.

Allen
Yes, you’d maybe like to see your goaltender stay in the net on a dump-in immediately after giving up a go-ahead goal late in the game, but by no means is Allen to blame for this game. Jake stood on his head in the first period and was, quite frankly, the only reason the Devils were tied 1-1 instead of being down 3+ goals heading into the second. In that first period alone, he stopped 1.20 Goals above expected and 10 saves from the slot, 7 of which having come from the HD inner slot. Like I said, he was the only reason the Devils were in this game to begin with.

The Rivalry Renews
Yes, it is kind of ironic that the Devils start their season series with a Metro opponent the game after they close their season series with another, but the Devils are finding NYR in a vulnerable position right now. It is no surprise to me that the Rangers are entering tonight with Ls in 5 of their last 6 games, considering there have been trade talks and contract speculation circulating their core pieces, including their captain and No. 1 goaltender. When you have an emotional rivalry game like tonight, though, most of those distractions become an afterthought. Make no mistake about it, the Rangers are desperate for a win tonight, and it should be one of those games where you need your best players to be your best players. Look no further than Jack and Nico, who are each riding individual points streaks of 4 and 6 games, respectively, at Madison Square Garden!


Don’t Lose 2 in a Row!
Other than the one scenario back in October when the Devils were winless for 4 in a row (0-2-2), I love the fact that this Devils team has consistently shown everyone that they can turn the page and move on after a loss. The message inside any locker room of a team ready to move into their “winning window” is, “We don’t lose two in a row, boys!” And it seems the Devils have that mentality this season. I’m intrigued to see the response of this team once again, especially with it being an emotional rivalry game under the bright lights of MSG.


START ON TIME!
The Devils have now conceded the first goal in 7 consecutive games, and as you Devils fans know all too well, the reality is that this message is going to get repeated over and over again until it’s no longer an issue hanging over everyone’s head. You can’t leave Marky out to dry like you did with Allen last game, and you certainly don’t want this to turn into a lingering issue like last season, when you conceded the first goal 57… let’s not even go there again. START ON TIME!

Tune in for our pregame show tonight as Rachel and I recap the loss to WSH, break down Stefan Noesen’s success this season, and crunch some numbers on Luke Hughes. It all starts at 6:30 p.m. on MSGSN!

Let’s Go Devils!
-Sal



Here are some graphics from Saturday night’s broadcast!


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