Eight thoughts from an 8-1 thrashing in Boston

Follow me on Twitter @ToddCordell | @InfernalAccess

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

---

The New Jersey Devils were embarrassed, 8-1, by the Boston Bruins last night. To celebrate the occasion, I put together eight notes on the game. Let’s dive in!

1. Nico Daws’ rebound control was some kind of awful in Boston. It was some of the worst I’ve seen from any goaltender this season. Pucks were bouncing off his chest like he had a trampoline under his jersey. He was kicking pucks right back out into dangerous areas. Heck, he was using his blocker rather than his glove and literally directing pucks into the slot. The NESN broadcast made a point on a couple occasions that Daws was putting pucks in the worst possible spots even when it appeared he had the time – or positioning – to, you know, not do that.

2. Clearly, that was one of Daws’ worst games as a pro. He was nowhere close to good enough for the Devils to have a chance at getting anything out of the game. You know what they say, though. Maybe if Lindy Ruff puts just a little more on his plate, the Devils can start getting some results. I kid, I kid. Daws is a 21-year-old who played fewer than 30 games three of the last four years. Asking him to play 40+ while regularly starting both legs of back-to-backs in the AHL would be a lot. But in the NHL? It’s hard to believe the team would even consider putting him in such a position. He’s had a few miserable showings of late but, quite frankly, it’s hard to blame him. The team is putting way too much on his plate. Like I said a few weeks ago, he’s struggling to stay afloat and the Devils are tossing anchors at him rather than life boats. Andrew Hammond needs to be ready, like, yesterday.