March 19, 2022; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid (97) fights for the puck against New Jersey Devils defender Damon Severson (28) and goalkeeper Jon Gillies (32) during the third period at Rogers Place. The Oilers won 6-3. Mandatory Credit: Walter Tychnowicz-USA TODAY Sports
New Jersey Devils Should Not Even Want Quinn Hughes On NHL Trade Deadline by Trey Matthews
The New Jersey Devils went to Western Canada to win some decent hockey 3 of 4 including victories against a strong Blues team and the favorites to come out of the Western Conference in the Colorado Avalanche. As usual, this team slowly fell back into the long streaks of losers who did not make playoff teams. In the three matches on the road trip, the team allowed 6 goals in each game. At the same time, they shot only 3. It just seemed as if the Devils had never checked.
The Devils could not afford to concede a goal as quickly as they did on Saturday against the Edmonton Oilers. When Guck’s goalkeeper Jon Pilles did not know what was going on. It seemed as if he was not moving for a full five seconds. Goaltending continues this team and the only bright side is that apparently the team has finally figured it out and for good or bad Mackenzie Blackwood may not start next season. Regarding this match, Gilles showed that his best at the NHL level was not good enough. Rookie goalie Nico Daws has shown that he is good, he is probably too young and not very ready.
As for the effort against Edmonton, where was it? Jesper Bratt did not have a good day today, often losing his footing on the muddy pitch. Nobody moved their legs and the team made far too many lazy passes and made stick checks all night.
Coach Lindy Ruff and the rest of the coaching staff have to make sure that this team competes night and night. Playoff teams do not take nights off, champions do not take nights off. Even if this Devils team does not make the playoffs, this is the time for the team to prove that they have at least the right spirit.
As for the other coaches, how does the team still make the same mistake of not defending the center of the ice? Hopefully GM Tom Fitzgerald asks this whole question because there is no way a player can make the NHL while thinking the slot is a great place to settle down. The power play looked weak and could not move Puck to gain momentum and continued to sit in the bottom ten with a top 5 offensive defender in Dougie Hamilton on the second pair.
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Even though it’s clear they’ll hopefully finish the season next season, they’re making a whole change behind the bench because this will never work. The boys on the ice, however, need to show more and play with the pride they were before, especially when they really think they can be better next season.
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