Oct 25, 2024; Newark, New Jersey, USA; New Jersey Devils left wing Jesper Bratt (63) celebrates his purpose in opposition to the New York Islanders throughout the third interval at Prudential Middle. Obligatory Credit score: Ed Mulholland-Imagn Photographs The New Jersey Devils have a novel understanding of the challenges that the Anaheim Geese are going through early this season.
A busy schedule continues for each groups Sunday night time when the Devils host the Geese in Newark, N.J.
Each groups can be attempting to bounce again from one-goal defeats.
The Devils dropped their fourth straight choice (0-2-2) on Friday once they overcame a trio of one-goal deficits earlier than falling 4-3 to the visiting New York Islanders in extra time. The Geese can be trying to rebound following a 2-1 setback to the New York Rangers on Saturday.
The loss to the Islanders ended a back-to-back home-and-away set for the Devils, who misplaced to the Detroit Pink Wings, 5-3, on Thursday night time. It was the third back-to-back of the season for New Jersey, which has performed an NHL-high 11 video games.
The Devils opened the season with consecutive wins over the Buffalo Sabres within the Czech Republic on Oct. 4-5 and have had greater than at some point off in between video games simply as soon as since resuming their schedule Oct. 10.
The impression of the condensed schedule could also be displaying in New Jersey’s current defensive struggles. The Devils have been outscored 23-16 throughout their dropping streak, throughout which they’ve allowed no less than 4 targets in each recreation.
The Devils gave up 4 targets in a recreation simply twice throughout their 5-2-0 begin.
“Immediately we have been chasing the sport proper from the get-go and that is a problem, however guys stayed with it till the top and I assumed we received higher as the sport went on,” Devils coach Sheldon Keefe mentioned. “Hear, the league is tough. (Friday) was our ninth recreation within the final 16 days. It is a robust schedule.”
The schedule hasn’t been straightforward and will not get any easier for the Geese, who’ve performed simply three video games at house and will not play once more on the Honda Middle till Nov. 3.
Anaheim started a four-game street journey in opposition to Metropolitan Division foes Saturday. The Geese will face the Islanders and the Pittsburgh Penguins on Tuesday and Thursday night time, respectively.
The Geese continued to play properly defensively whereas discovering it tough to generate offense Saturday. Goalie Lukas Dostal stopped the primary 27 photographs in a scoreless duel earlier than Ryan Lindgren scored 4:13 into the third. Will Cuylle added what proved to be the game-winning purpose 7:40 later.
Defenseman Olen Zellweger scored with 7:22 remaining within the third interval for the Geese, who’ve scored three targets or fewer in six of their seven video games.
“I assumed we picked it up about midway via the second interval,” Geese coach Greg Cronin mentioned. “We’re simply having a tough time scoring targets proper now. You get vitality in a recreation and also you get some possibilities, they do not go in — we’re at that time now the place I feel guys are beginning to press. Simply should discover a approach to get some blue-collar targets.”
–Subject Stage Media