Devils 3, Sabres 1: Back on track

Led by Jack Hughes and Akira Schmid, the Devils were able to get right back in the win column against Buffalo.

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A few observations from New Jersey’s rebound victory over the Buffalo Sabres:

The Devils responded

New Jersey lost its month-long winning streak in perhaps the most disappointing fashion possible. They out-played Toronto, they had three goals waived off, and it simply felt like everything that could go against them did go against them.

The last time they lost a game prior was very early in the season. At that point they were just trying to get off the ground and ensure their season wasn’t over, so to speak, before it really got started.

They hadn’t lost a game when there were real expectations surrounding the team and they hadn’t lost a game since every sports network – at least in Canada – spent part of each show with a dedicated Devils segment showering them with praise.

There was at least a chance they’d start slow and sort of play as if they are several tiers above the Sabres and don’t really need to put in work to get back on track. A winning streak hangover, if you will. That absolutely was not the case.

New Jersey came out with real purpose and hit the ground running. Although they didn’t score in the opening frame, the Devils did everything but.

They forechecked hard, they consistently worked the puck into dangerous areas of the ice, and they completely smothered a dangerous Sabres attack.

At 5v5 attempts were 27-8, chances were 15-5, and zone time was 19:00-0:15. Okay, the last bit might be slightly exaggerated but the point remains; the Devils were on the front foot a lot.

They weren’t as dominant over the final 40 minutes but they still largely played well, were opportunistic, and responded exactly as one would hope.

Now they have to get up for another big game against a Capitals team that has fed them their lunch over the last couple of seasons.

Schmid is a new man