Flames 3, Devils 0: The offense dried up

The Devils could not muster up any run support for Jacob Markstrom against his former team.

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By David Mudrak (@MuddyOpinions)

After winning 6-0 against Vancouver, the New Jersey Devils' script was flipped when they were blanked in their match against Calgary.

Here are some takeaways from a night that the Devils must learn from:

Jacob Markstrom wanted the win 

In his return to Calgary, it was clear that Jacob Markstrom was determined to get the better of his old team.

Throughout the first 55 minutes of the game, Markstrom kept the Devils in it, saving the first 29 shots he faced. Across all situations, Markstrom allowed two goals on 2.07 expected goals. He did his job, saving the first four high-danger chances against and posting a 0.935 save percentage overall. However, he was unable to keep the shutout. 

With only 5:34 remaining in the third period, Blake Coleman got his stick on a Kevin Bahl shot from the point, redirecting the puck into his skate and then through Markstrom’s legs. Markstrom had already made an excellent save off of a deflection in the closing minutes of the second period, but the double deflection was too much to ask of him here. 

Similarly, Markstrom should not be blamed for the second goal allowed, as he tried to face down a 2-on-1. Just seconds after Coleman’s goal, Jonhathan Kovacevic pinched to keep a puck in the offensive zone but had it tipped around him by another Jonathan. Huberdau finished the play after going back and forth with Anthony Mantha in front of the net. 

The Devils’ number one netminder played exactly as he is expected to play. For much of the game, he was their best player.

Even after letting in two goals, he may still have been the team’s best performer of the night. Time and time again, he made saves that could have easily turned the tide much earlier in the game. 

Markstrom stood tall as the Flames recorded the game's first five shots. He kept his focus throughout the first period, which ended with the Flames leading in the shot department 12-5.

He was also able to deny them throughout the second period, including the deflection save previously described, multiple Yegor Sharangovich chances, and a five-shot power play towards the end of the period. 

Markstrom kept the team afloat at multiple points during the game, which is precisely what he was brought here for.

While the Devils could not win, this was a promising game for Markstrom following his shutout against Vancouver. Let’s hope he can keep holding up his end of the bargain. 

Brett Pesce completely changes the defense