In fact,it was so bad that I was watching Charlie Brown Thanksgiving instead of the intermission show (which if you've heard Deb Placey,the adults in the Peanuts world are more intelligible) and I was resigned to an awful evening.
However,three goals in the first five minutes of the second period turned things upside down and returned the Devils to contention.
In the end,the game was decided by one shot as Jacob Josefson scored the only goal of the shootout to snap a three game losing streak and give the Devils an improbable 5-4 win.
New Jersey received goals from Travis Zajac (5).Michael Cammalleri (4),Yohann Auvitu (2) and Beau Bennett (1 Power Play) in the victory.
New Jersey will next host the Detroit Red Wings on Friday night.
Hell Raisers
1) Michael Cammalleri returned to the lineup after missing the road trip and did so with a vengeance as he scored a goal and assisted on each of the other three goals that the Devils scored in regulation.
Cammalleri missed the road swing due to serious physical health issues with his daughter and his play upon his return was certainly inspired.
It's funny how often that happens in sports.
2) The power play finally returned to the scoresheet with Beau Bennett's first goal of the season.
Bennett had seemingly been in bad luck this season and his lack of success with good chances made me think of Jacob Josefson's similar problems through the seasons.
I like what I have seen of Bennett thus far and hope that now that the first goal has gone in that the dam has been busted...
3) Speaking of Jacob Josefson,Jacob has had some problems through the years in scoring,but he seems to have found a niche' as a shootout specialist.
Jacob shows the creativity in the shootout that he sometimes lacks in the flow of the game and in my opinion should be used early and often when the shootout situations are in order...
4) I've been critical of Travis Zajac,not as much as a player as the ridiculously long contract that Lou Lamoriello signed him to.
Zajac is off to a strong start this season though ( 5 goals 8 assists) and finished last night with a goal and two assists.
The Zajac,Cammalleri,P.A.Parenteau line has shown some chemistry,but occasionally against Toronto,Nick Lappin spent some time in Parenteau's place and the line didn't look out of place...
5) Cory Schneider started slow in net in allowing those three first period goals and one would not have blamed John Hynes for calling on Keith Kinkaid as it seemed like one of those off nights that all goalies suffer through.
Schneider stepped up thereafter and was huge in net in both overtime and the flawless shootout in notching the victory.
Sometimes,the coaches patience can be rewarded...
6) Finally,I was very impressed with the latest young star in the league with Toronto's Auston Matthews.
Matthews scored two goals and while I haven't seen enough of him to truly compare with the most recent first pick Connor McDavid,I think the Maple Leafs have themselves a player to build around..
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