Devils 4, Blues 1: Clinical

The Devils once again defended extremely well – and Jacob Markstrom was there to pick up the pieces when needed.

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The New Jersey Devils took care of business Tuesday night, picking up a 4-1 win in St. Louis. Here are a few thoughts on the game:

Another defensive clinic

The Blues are not an offensive powerhouse but they have played very well since Jim Montgomery took over behind the bench. Watching last night’s game, you wouldn’t have known it.

The Devils defended their tails off and gave the Blues next to nothing until the game was far out of reach.

New Jersey’s 1st period stinginess continued, allowing just five shots and 0.41 expected goals in the opening frame while earning an early lead.

It was more of the same in the 2nd, with the Devils giving up six shots while extending their lead on the back of a Stefan Noesen power play goal.

Just like that the Devils entered the 3rd period with a multi-goal cushion that felt like a million due to their ability to squeeze the life out of St. Louis’ offense.

I expected a push in the 3rd but the Devils didn’t allow that to happen, quickly getting out on the front foot and cashing in again to grab a three-goal lead.

By the time the Blues were able to string a few shifts together and gain any sort of traction offensively, the game was all but over.

In total, the Devils allowed just 20 shots, eight high-danger chances, and 1.69 expected goals. That is next to nothing under any circumstance, let alone for a road team holding a lead for 45 minutes. Score effects be damned!

What I loved was the buy-in from top to bottom. The Devils were able to grind the Blues into oblivion in the offensive zone and worked as hard to backtrack as they did on offense.

Even when the Blues had possession in the offensive zone, the Devils held to their structure and came up with key defensive plays to kill plays and get play moving the other way.

Jonas Siegenthaler was especially noticeable with his stick work but he was far from alone. Luke Hughes also made a couple of great defensive plays, including hunting down Oskar Sundqvist from behind like LeBron James did Andre Iguodala many moons ago.

It was another great defensive performance from a Devils team that has allowed more than two goals once in December.

Jacob Markstrom played his part