Tom and I had a thoughtful conversation today and agreed it was time to move in a new direction. Tom changed the trajectory of our team here, including setting a franchise record for points in a season and helping make New Jersey a hockey destination.
Tuesday's NHL slate features a projected tight contest between the New Jersey Devils (28-25-2) and the Columbus Blue Jackets (27-20-7) at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. The Devils are -122 on the moneyline to win against the Blue Jackets (+101) in the game, which begins at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN+. You can watch along on ESPN+ as the Devils play the Blue Jackets.
I didn't talk to the team after the game. I'll talk to them in the morning. But it is more of the same. We have to find a way to get some pucks to fall in for us. We had to execute better on the chances that we do get. We had some really clean looks in really good spots, and we either missed the net or hit the goaltender in the chest. That is kind of the way it has been going.
"We haven't found a way to win one of these games, so it was nice for Chycky. Steps up, makes a huge play for us. Goes end-to-end, just another display of his unique ability to skate. "Even though he's at the end of a shift - he's been out there for a minute-plus and still finds a way to use his explosiveness, power, and speed to get to the net. It's a huge play for our group."
One of the rarest accomplishments in sports was having your number retired by a team. Nowadays there are some questionable choices when it comes to finding players whose jersey will hang in the rafters. Some more than deserve the honor, others get it because their respective teams see it as a marketing ploy for an otherwise "very good" level player. A few seasons back we openly discussed if Marian Hossa deserved the honor from the Chicago Blackhawks.
The Slovakian defender seemed a little bit of an odd choice and ever since he was chosen he became the focal point of fan induced trade rumors for the Devils. Nemec's own comments on the matter didn't seem to help. More than three years removed from that draft Nemec has found himself firmly in the Devils lineup. That's in no part aided by injuries to the likes of major defenseman such as Dougie Hamilton along the way.
The Blues seem to look towards Kyrou as a scapegoat at times, and when things aren't going the way they need them to, Kyrou sits. It is common for teams to sit a top player to send a message, especially when the team is second-last in the NHL with a 5-8-2 record. Kyrou hasn't been playing too poorly this season, scoring eight points in 14 games, though the Blues would like to see a bit more.
Tonight, freshly off a new $12 million contract extension, Markström was energized and rock solid. He stopped an incredible 43 of 44 shots (.977%), including all five high danger chances he faced. In total, his +3.12 goals saved above expected was one of the better individual goaltending performances this season.
Not only did he make the main roster out of camp, but he is making a statement during his rookie season. He has fit in well and rather quickly to given the special youth earned scoring from a player drafted late in the draft. Gritsyuk is showing the Devils that they made no mistake in drafting him. While he is in his rookie season,he has shown the drive and determination of an NHL veteran. he has displayed highlight reel moves that experienced players do not make.
In the opening minute of the middle frame, during a scrum in front of Toronto netminder Anthony Stolarz, defenseman Chris Tanev was going to try and make sure the puck wasn't close to crossing the goal line. As he came in behind Devils forward Dawson Mercer, who was jamming away at the pads of Stolarz to try and poke the puck past him, Tanev looked to hit his own head hard against the head of Mercer.
