Devils Can’t Solve Sharks, Shut Out by Mackenzie Blackwood 1-0 – Hockey Writers – NHL News

The New Jersey Devils head into Sunday night’s game against the San Jose Sharks, coming off an overtime win over the New York Islanders on Saturday night. In Island, the Devils erased a two-goal deficit with less than five minutes to play with goals from Dawson Mercer and Stefan Noesen and won the game with a goal from Jack Hughes. Tonight this team needed the same heroes but they didn’t come as they were crushed by the San Jose Sharks 1-0.

Recap of the game

The former Devils goalkeeper Mackenzie Blackwood stood out in his first appearance at the Prudential Center against his former teammates. Blackwood did not allow a goal on 44 shots. The Devils didn’t go quietly, however, blasting their teammates 19 times in the third period and eventually attempting 69 shots. Hughes and Jesper Bratt led the way with eight shots apiece. Despite the intensity of the final half, the Devils still missed more chances than they had all game, as fatigue proved to be a major factor in the first 35 minutes.

The Devils finished last season 3-11-2 in the second half of back-to-back games, a .250 percentage, and a big reason they were never able to sustain any momentum. On Sunday night, they had a chance to improve to 1-1-1 this season, and couldn’t shake the results of a tough game the day before against the Islanders. Outside of Jack Hughes’ line, the Devils seemed to slow down all night.

Nico Hischier’s line had a rare night, posting a goals-against-percentage (xGF%) of 32, well below its usual output. The team seemed to have fallen into their bad habit of passing on home ice, trying to make a good play, and giving up chances with a clean look at the goal. The jump was so common that a “shoot the puck” chant arose from the crowd. After the game, Devils head coach Sheldon Keefe lamented that the team talked about shooting the puck and going straight to the net, but after “following the plan” almost Saturday night, the team failed to do so again at home.

The Sharks’ goal came at 16:21 of the first half. Nico Sturm broke into the chase and pulled Jake Allen out of the crease and fired the puck towards the goal. The puck appeared to come off the skate of Timo Meier looking back into the open net. Blackwood, aided by a number of shot blockers, was able to stop that goal and lead his team to what should have been a convincing victory over the former Devils. Like Blackwood, Allen had an excellent game, stopping 26 of 27 shots, including several in high-danger areas. Keefe praised him after the game for his ability to stand up to the Sharks and the pressure he seemed to have.

The Devils now head south for a three-game road trip against the Florida Panthers on Tuesday and Thursday before wrapping up Saturday against the Carolina Hurricanes.