Saturday, December 21, 2013

Ducks drown Devils in OT

The Anaheim Ducks won their seventh game in a row,but the New Jersey Devils gave them all they wanted and even picked up a point as the Ducks earned a 3-2 win over the Devils on a Kyle Palmieri wrap around goal in overtime.
Michael Ryder scored in the second period (10) and Andy Greene tied the game and sent it to overtime with his third period goal (5 powerplay) for the Devils.
New Jersey travels to Washington for a Saturday night game.

Hell Raisers

1) The game winner did go off the stick off Jon Merrill,who was attempting to cut the corner of the net.
However,I'm still not blaming Merrill because watching the replay makes me doubt that Cory Schneider was going to get to the corner anyway.
Merrill got there quicker than Schneider or the puck would have went straight in...

2) Damien Brunner was helped off the ice and looked to have injured a knee when his knee met that of Marc Fistric.
Brunner did not return and was in a lot of pain when leaving.
I didn't think it was a cheap shot at all,just one of those things that can happen in the game of hockey.

3) Jaromir Jagr did not score a goal,but had a good night with a sharp backhanded pass on the Andy Greene goal and several chances.
Jagr would also though play a key part in the Ducks first goal.

4) Jagr had been on the ice for over a minute and was trying to get off the ice,when icing was called.
An exhausted Jagr then had to stay on the ice for the resulting faceoff in the Devils zone,which resulted in a Cam Fowler goal.
I am not always a big fan of this,but perhaps Pete DeBoer should used his timeout there.

5) A very impressive game for Cam Fowler of Anaheim,who played a solid game at both ends.
Fowler is what the Devils hope to get from their young defensemen when they mature.

6) The win was the seventh in a row for the Ducks,who rank second in the Western Conference,so the Devils earned a point,which is something,but I cannot help but feel a bit disappointed.
Two points were on the table to be taken and the Devils fell short.
It is nights like these that are going to cost this team a playoff spot.

7) Word is that Ryane Clowe and Bryce Salvador are nearing their return to action.
My guess on who goes away to make space as long an injury does not make the decision for them (like Damien Brunner,perhaps)?
I'd bet on Reid Boucher at forward and Jon Merrill of the defensemen.
Boucher has impressed,but could use AHL time,Merrill looks to be the odd man out of the young defensemen.

Photo Credit:AP Photo

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