SAL'S QUICK HITS: ONE DOWN, FOUR TO GO

December 08, 2024

Bryce Salvador


Here are my quick hits following the Devils’ 3-2 W over SEA to start their five-game homestand, heading into tonight’s game vs. COL:

Found a Way
Yes, there were maybe some issues and areas you’d like to clean up in this game, but in my books, the Devils deserved to win this one. It was not an easy game by any means, as everyone’s preconceived notion that Seattle would come out extra hungry to beat the Devils (following multiple-goal wins vs. NYI & CAR to start their East-Coast trip) was evident throughout the full 60 minutes. Grubauer was dialed in all night, and I give the Kraken lots of credit for maintaining a high energy level and surging late in the game despite it being their third game in four nights. Still, the Devils found a way to tie it up twice, come out with some extended OZ time in the third, get the lead, then defend well and take away the middle of the ice on the PK to close it all out and get the 2 PTS at the end of the night. One down, four to go on this homestand!


Luke Breaks the Goose Egg
Finally, Luke scored his much-deserved first goal of the season, and it was only fitting that it was a beauty snipe off a feed from Jack. What I especially like about this storyline is that despite starting the season off slow, not generating any points, and not having a PP1 QB role like he had last season, Luke was mature enough to understand that if he could hone in on the defensive side of his game and contribute first in that way for the time being, that the offensive production would eventually come. And well, don’t look now, but Luke is on a 4-game point streak and has recorded 8 of his 9 total points in his last 10 GP alone!

Lots of Firepower
With the level of speed, skill, and creativity that both NJD and COL have throughout their respective lineups, this is setting up to be a fun game to watch from ice level, and I’m expecting a great atmosphere at the Rock to go along with it. Here are a couple of graphics I’ll break down in detail during our broadcast, the first showing how elite these two teams have been in generating offense at top 5-6 rates in the league this season.Now, I do want to preface this next graphic by saying that the Sv% ranks could mean absolutely nothing tonight, as the Avalanche have brought in Scott Wedgewood from NSH, who loves nothing more than earning his “Wedgewall” nickname every time he comes back to the Rock to face the Devils. (Boy, would it be nice for the Devils to squash that narrative tonight and get Jake Allen his first home win since Oct. 14 vs. UTA!) 

In the bigger picture, though, COL has struggled to get quality starts between the pipes all season long. When you take a look at the standings, the difference between the Devils’ .655 PTS% and the Avs’ .536 PTS% has simply come down to the fact that the Devils have had significantly better goaltending. (…Geez, when was the last time I was able to say that?!?!)

Importance of Starting on Time
As long as the Devils have their legs in the first 20 minutes, match the Avs’ pace early, and start this game with the lead, I like their chances of out-lasting a COL team that’s coming in on the second half of a B2B and playing their third road game in four nights. But again, for me, that all circles back to starting on time and scoring the first goal, which the Devils haven’t done in each of their last six home games. Not to mention, they’ve only had one lead after the first period on home ice all season despite being 8-0-0 in that situation overall. Look, on COL’s side of things, you know they’re going to be eager for a strong start themselves, as they just finally, for the first time in over a month, took a lead into the first intermission last night in DET and ended up winning that game 2-1 in regulation. It has to be intensity and execution right from the opening puck drop!

Be sure to tune in to our pregame show tonight as Rachel and I preview the offensive firepower in tonight’s game, discuss the Four Nations Faceoff, and break down Luke’s path to cracking Team USA in the 2026 Olympics. It all starts at 6:30 p.m. on MSG & MSG2!

Let’s Go Devils!
-Sal 



Here are some graphics from Friday night’s broadcast!


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