Hey, everyone.
ANOTHER 3rd PERIOD COLLAPSE
Well, for the fifth straight game, the Devils were either tied or within one going into the 3rd period. And for the fifth straight game, they lost in regulation, failing to bank even a single point out of the 10 available. It's been hard enough to wrap my head around the fact that the Devils have only scored four total goals during this losing streak and are 0 for their last 19 on the PP. But these consistent, lackluster efforts in the 3rd, despite giving themselves a chance in the first two periods, are the real killer. If they got seven or eight points (even five or six points!) out of these games below, we’d still be talking about a realistic playoff runway for this team. To get ZERO points, though?! I don’t even know what more to say.
MARKY
As I said in my question to Sheldon in the postgame show, the former player and captain in me always looks for any positives to build upon after each game, and that doesn't change with how bleak things are right now. Without a doubt, that positive in PIT was Marky’s performance in the first two periods, stopping 2.34 Goals Above Expected, including multiple clean looks and breakaway chances the Devils conceded in front of him. Yes, it’s a small sample set, but the fact that Marky has put together three consecutive Quality Starts (Positive GSAE), on top of his outstanding showing with Sweden, tells me that the Olympic bump appears to be real for him. It’s too bad the Devils have only supported him with four total goals in these games, but we all hope Marky continues playing well to prove he can still be the number one next season.
LUKE’S RETURN
It will be a much-needed boost for the boys to get Luke back in the lineup tonight. The team really struggled in the 10 games he missed (due to the shoulder injury he suffered in CGY last month), as they went 3-7-0 and scored only 19 Goals, including just 5 PPGs. Before his injury, Luke had 1-4–5 PTS in his last 6 GP, so hopefully, he can rediscover that rhythm with the Devils desperate for help offensively. I would anticipate that Luke will slot in on PP1 to help snap this 0/19 drought, unless Sheldon feels the need to ease him back in.
Both the Devils and Blues came into this season with the expectation of taking the next step and going on a deep run after losing in the first round last season. And needless to say, both teams failed to meet expectations, as they each sit bottom 10 in the league and might be sellers at the deadline coming up.
So, fortunately for me, I won’t be the only former Devil & Blue grieving the disappointment of this season tonight, LOL. Cam Janssen will also be in the building and joining me on our pregame show at 4:30 p.m.! Can’t wait to catch up with him and break it all down.
As I mentioned above, our pregame show today should be a fun one. Cam and I were traded for one another back in 2008, and we later played together when he returned to the Devils in 2011. Lots to chat about - be sure to tune in at 4:30 p.m. on MSG!
-Sal
