Here are my quick hits following the Devils' 2-1 win in Columbus, heading into tonight's game vs. CGY:
Jake Stole the Show
In the same way that we started the postgame show, there’d be only one fair way to start this article — and that would be to talk about Jake Allen’s outstanding performance in Columbus on Tuesday night. By the time the clock finally expired after an absolute blitz by CBJ in the third period, Jake had stopped 18 of 19 shots from the slot, including 8 of 9 shots from the HD inner slot en route to his first 45+ save game since Dec. 1, 2022. The 23 saves he had in the 3rd period alone were tied for the second most of any goaltender this season.
Jake stood on his head in this game – and quite frankly, has been doing so ever since he first put on the Devils uniform last March. For that reason, it’s been so relieving to see him now finally get his first 3-game win streak as a Devil, stopping 99 of a total 103 shots AG (.961 Sv%) in the process over this span. Hopefully, he can continue this winning stretch of hockey over the weekend, as Sheldon indicated they plan to get Allen back between the pipes Saturday night vs. OTT.
CGY Pre-Scout
Heading into tonight’s game, I’m looking forward to seeing how the Devils continue to match and manage the desperation of yet another opponent sitting just outside a wildcard spot.
We talk about the importance of starting on time a lot (because it always is!), but it’s going to be especially critical that the Devils do so tonight to inject some Vintage Marky confidence into him against his former team. Furthermore, if you let CGY get a lead or keep this game tight, they’re going to make you pay in the same way they did when they shut you out in the last meeting back on Nov. 1: by taking away your rush game, which is one of CGY's main strengths as a team (ranked 4th). Look no further than the Flames' last game, Tuesday night at the Garden, where they took a 2-1 lead into the first intermission, then completely shut things down in the last 40 minutes. You can’t let them replicate this process at the Rock.
Establish Home Identity
For me, with 9 of the remaining 13 games being on home ice, this final stretch of home games is a tremendous opportunity for the Devils to establish the Rock as one of the toughest buildings to play in come playoff time.
Outside of the 6-game win streak at home from December to January — when the Devils were suppressing shots at a historic rate and playing some of their best home hockey in recent memory — the reality is that there hasn’t been nearly enough sustained consistency at Prudential Center up to this point in the season. If you’re the Devils, you should be licking your chops at the fact that 8 of these 9 teams coming into your building are potential playoff teams. It all starts with a win tonight to build off the back-to-back home wins you had last week vs. EDM & CBJ!
Be sure to join Rachel and me on our pregame show tonight as we take a deep dive into Bratter's second-consecutive 80+ point season, his recent play with Jack out of the lineup, and more before puck drop vs. CGY. Coverage starts at 6:30 p.m. on MSGSN2!
Let's Go Devils!
-Sal
Here are some graphics from Tuesday night's broadcast!
