Ducks 4, Devils 3: Another wasted opportunity

The Devils squandered a golden chance for two needed points against a bad, and fatigued, Ducks team.

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By David Mudrak (@MuddyOpinions)

The Devils sustained a devastating and painful loss as their hopes of mounting a pushback into playoff contention began to slip. 

Defensive breakdowns

Nico Daws did not have his best game. With .84 expected goals against, Daws let in four goals on only 14 shots. While those rates are unacceptable, the play of the Devils in front of Daws did not help him out much. 

Although there seemed to be some progress made after the All-Star break with more sound defensive choices near their own net, multiple goals against on Friday night resulted from the Devils' inability to clear the slot. 

The first goal of the game came from a defensive breakdown and less than ideal responses to the development of a dangerous chance.

Kevin Bahl lost possession of the puck after falling, which is bound to happen occasionally. Frank Vatrano was then able to receive the puck in the low slot from Mason McTavish.

John Marino was positioned in the slot but he did not challenge Vatrano, staying back to defend against the pass and failing to see or trust that Meier was defending that same passing lane. Because of Marino’s passive choice, Vatrano had time and space in close and was able to finish against Daws.

Would it have been nice if Daws made that save? Of course. Is it expected of a goalie to make a save from nearly point blank from an offensive player who has time? Not really. Vatrano needed to be pressured more aggressively for Daws to have a true shot at making that save. 

Unfortunately, that was only the first of a few goals that stemmed from the Devils missing reads or failing to clear out the slot. On the Ducks’ second goal, it looked like Meier was in a position to defend against a wrap-around and chance in the slot. Still, his body was positioned too far from the post, and his stick was too soft to stop the Henrique attempt, leaving the Devils to fall behind after just having tied the game. 

A momentary lapse in coverage aided the Ducks on their other two goals. No team is going to play a perfect game. Missed coverage and questionable decisions will always be part of a game that is so quick, but the Devils need to be more consistent and need to get back to providing layers of support so that there is another defender in place - or close by - to assist when a breakdown or miss in coverage occurs. 

Offensive struggles continue