Hey, everyone!
It’s time to take the good vibes on the road as we get set for the first of four games coming up on the West Coast. In my opinion, tonight's game in COL will be the biggest test of the season so far, and it comes with the 8-game heater on the line! 🔥
Just as we anticipated, it was a very exciting game on Sunday with back-and-forth action. For the Devils to find a way to pull out the 2 PTS after seeing multiple leads vanish, while playing most of the game with five D, was commendable. They just keep on finding ways to extend this streak!
Speaking of the five D, Pesce’s injury (only playing 6:07 on Sunday after leaving the game in the first period) is an extremely tough blow to the backend. In the short term, it could not have come at a worse time for the Devils in this home-and-home set against the best offensive team in the league. Fortunately, as I mentioned, the five D did a tremendous job stepping up to weather the storm in his absence. But look, the reality is that there are only one or two defensemen in the league (if that) who can replicate how dominant Pesce is in defending with his stick and shutting down plays in the DZ. All of the quality minutes (…and pucks) that he eats are irreplaceable, so we are all hoping Pesh is back sooner rather than later. For now, the Devils have called up Seamus Casey, and also have Dennis Cholowski, who can be inserted to help hold down the fort for now.
Arseny Gritsyuk continues to prove that he belongs with his phenomenal start to the season. Following his goal to open up the scoring on Sunday, Grits became the first rookie Devils forward to put up at least 6 PTS, including 2 Goals, in his first 9 GP since Nico & Bratter did so in 2017-18. Pretty good company… In fact, he is the only NJD rookie on record with 6 PTS & 12 hits through his first 9 GP. I love how he has been able to adapt to the physical part of the NHL game, too!
This home-and-home has been the first real test of the Devils having to defend a heavy forecheck and cycle team (COL is #1 in both categories), and it showed on Sunday. This was especially the case in the 2nd period, as COL beat the Devils at their own game by aggressively forechecking and outchanging the Devils to wear them down with long, connected shifts. If not for Jake Allen‘s 1.14 GSAE in this middle frame - and Brownie coming through with another timely, opportunistic breakaway goal - we are probably talking about a completely different result. 
So, yes, it is going to take a strong 60-minute defensive effort to weather the storm again tonight, especially with Pesce out of the lineup. But boy, I hope you all are as excited as I am to watch the “Battle of the Offensive Juggernauts,” Part 2!
Be sure to tune in to our pregame show tonight as Rachel and I recap the OTW on Sunday, the outstanding play of NJD#81 Grits, NJD#17 Nemo, and the NJD third line, as well as some adjustments needing to be made tonight in COL. It all starts at 8:30 p.m. on MSGSN2!
-Sal
Here are some graphics from Sunday's broadcast!
