Devils 3, Kraken 2: Back on track

It wasn't always pretty but Jacob Markstrom and Devils found a way to get a much-needed win in Seattle.

Follow along on Twitter @ToddCordell | @InfernalAccess

Be sure to join the Discord channel to talk hockey with our writers and subscribers.

---

The New Jersey Devils found a way to grind out two points against the Seattle Kraken. Here are a few thoughts on their winning effort:

Jacob Markstrom was exceptional

I thought Markstrom was the best player on the ice last night. He should’ve been named the 1st star, 2nd star, and 3rd star.

That may seem crazy to say about a goaltender who made 21 saves but I truly don’t believe the stats tell the story here.

The Devils came out gangbusters in the 1st period. Their play really slipped in the latter half of the frame, though, and some of the bad habits we’ve seen of late crept into their game.

They mismanaged the puck at times, they gave up too many rush opportunities, they were hemmed in their zone for extended periods, and they just didn’t play with the level of structure and soundness we’ve seen for much of the season.

While they were able to tighten the screws in spurts, every so often they would hit a lull and give up a couple of opportunities to Seattle – and it always felt like they were Grade A.

Markstrom was there time and time again to close the door. Whether he was going post-to-post to rob a trailing player with nothing but time and space to walk into his shot, or sprawling to get a glove on a backdoor chance, Markstrom came up with numerous top-tier saves to keep the Kraken off the board.

It was honestly a case where if you watched isolated footage of each save for the night you’d think it was a highlight reel.

Markstrom saw very few soft floaters or shots from the mid-range. Almost every test was of the utmost difficulty. I mean, look at this shot map. There is a ton of concentrated volume in the home plate area.

MoneyPuck had Kraken finishing with 2.45 xG but, quite frankly, I don’t care if the Kraken were credited with 0.01 xG on the night.

Markstrom could have conceded goals on four of five stops he made and there is no way I’d think ‘wow, he should’ve had that one.’

Markstrom has been fantastic for months now; last night was just the latest example of it.

There’s a hex on Hughes