Here are my quick hits following the Devils’ 2-1 SOL to FLA, heading into tonight’s return to Toronto for HC Keefe:
One-Goal Games
No, it wasn't the ending anyone wanted for such a great game on Tuesday night, but the Devils banked another impressive, hard-earned point, which extended the team point streak to four games overall and to eight games in a row on home ice. For me, what sticks out about this game is that it was another tight, patient, playoff-feeling game (...and against the defending champs, nonetheless!). This was especially the case in the first 40 minutes, with the game scoreless and having only a combined 10 slot shots between both teams before the game would finally crack open in the first 2 minutes of the third.
After recording just 10 one-goal games in the first half of the season (the fewest through the first 41 GP of a season in franchise history!), this was now the Devils’ fifth straight one-goal game, the longest streak the Devils have had since the infamous playoff push at the tail-end of the 2017-18 season. Yes, it’s been very encouraging to see that the Devils are starting to feel comfortable in these situations in the second half of the season so far! Though, I’m not sure it’s a good thing for Dano and me, and our heart rate
Need 3+ Goals
Another trend that keeps coming up this season is the critical race to score three or more goals each night. If you don’t, getting points is seemingly impossible right now, and look no further than the NJD/TOR matchup tonight for a prime example of that! When these two teams fail to score three or more goals in a game, the Devils don’t have a single win, and the Leafs only have two – with one of those wins coming at the Rock back on Dec. 10.
On the flip side, when these teams and their high-powered offenses are humming and score 3+ goals, they’re both ranked in the top 10 with those outstanding records seen below. From the Devils' side of things, it’s no coincidence they’ve only scored 3+ goals in the two games they won over their last seven games. Let’s hope they get Marky his 3+ goals tonight so he can do his part and help them improve the stat in the second graphic below to 19-0-0!
The Previous Meeting
With the Devils in Toronto tonight to close out the season series with the Leafs, I’m taking a look back at the previous meeting between these two teams, which was that heartbreaking 2-1 OTL at the Rock on Dec. 10. If you recall, Auston Matthews – who has 4 goals in his last 6 games and 10-11–21 PTS in 17 GP since returning from injury the first time – scored the overtime winner that night.
Revisiting some of the numbers in that game reminded me just how dominant the Devils were in this game, despite it being the only 3rd-period lead they've blown to date. Simply put, the story was goaltender Anthony Stolarz stealing this one for TOR, saving nearly 3-and-a-quarter goals above expected. Hopefully, the Devils can repeat this process on the road and get rewarded with a few more goals tonight!
Keefe Returns to TOR
Lastly, the narrative everyone has had circled on their calendars circulating around this matchup is the return of HC Sheldon Keefe to Toronto, where he coached 349 regular season games and led TOR to five consecutive playoff appearances, including their first playoff series win since 2004. For all those reasons, this will be an emotional, long-anticipated return for Sheldon this evening. So, if you’re the Devils, you should be extra motivated to play to your identity and get him a W tonight!
Tune in tonight to our pregame show as Rachel and I recap Tuesday night’s shootout loss to FLA and the previous meeting with TOR. We’ll also go in-depth on Keefe and his coaching staff, the Devils’ team toughness, and more to preview tonight’s game. It all starts at 6:30 p.m. on MSGSN!
Let’s Go Devils!
-Sal
