That was not enough as the Devils allowed a 6 on 5 goal to tie the game and then a game winner less than a minute into overtime as Colorado pulled an escape worthy of Steve McQueen and left with a 2-1 overtime win.Ryan Carter (5) scored the only New Jersey
goal in the first period.
The Devils are off until Friday when they host Edmonton before traveling to Washington Saturday to precede the Olympic break....
Hell Raisers
1) Third game in three that the Devils have lost a late lead with the goalie pulled.
Simply that comes down to one of two things-preparation or personnel.
Considering that the strength or this team is supposed to be on defense,I'm going with coaching.
Something has to be wrong in order for this to continue to happen.
I'll discuss more on Peter DeBoer in my State of the Devils post over the Olympic break (Thanks to those of you that said they'd like to see it),but this comes to down to someone on the coaching staff.
These types of breakdowns are going to be fatal to the Devils playoff hopes...
2) Look at the tying goal.The exhausted Devils down 6 on 5 were simply unable to clear or get a freeze from Cory Schneider.
Yes,it was a deflection and all that,but IMO,it still comes down to not getting the clear when needed...
3) And just how did Colorado get a power play to start overtime?
A defensive breakdown that saw Matt Duchene clear on a breakaway.
Andy Greene slashed Duchene and he was forced to,but Duchene STILL broke away and had a shot on goal that he pulled wide.
I don't blame Greene for the penalty,although someone allowed the breakaway,but when you commit a penalty in such a situation-make sure you don't allow the shot.
4) Funny note-Rachel talk about Steve Bernier. "You know he doesn't take a lot of penalties" "That's true".
Minutes later,Bernier commits two penalties in six minutes.
It's a funny game.
5) I thought Cory Schneider played well and deserved better.
I know some of you love Martin Brodeur for what he has done for the franchise and I do as well,but Schneider is the superior goalie at this time.
Schneider smashed his stick at the end of the loss and the lovely Cherie wondered about sportsmanship.
One could take it that way,but I prefer to look at it this way-this is a player that has played well enough to earn six points from three wins and came away with two undeserved losses.
He's frustrated and I don't blame him.
6) Jaromir Jagr just missed making the late goal a moot point as his shot just skidded to a halt ON the goal line after it was past J.S.Giguere.
One more revolution of the puck and that's a goal that likely ends the game.
7) More funny business.
I forgot to turn of the closed captioning off before the game and with coverage on NBC Sports Net,the CC people often make mistakes.
As in Marek Zidlicky becoming "Zit Milicky".
I have a feeling that nickname might stick.
8) Finally,nice game from the fourth line.
Not only did they score the Devils only goal,but they had other misses and showed plenty of energy.
That is more than what you hope to receive from the fourth line.
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