Flames 6, Devils 3: Overmatched

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A few observations from New Jersey’s rather lifeless loss to the Calgary Flames:

Completely outclassed

The New Jersey Devils were in a road back-to-back against one of the league’s best teams while a) missing several forwards; b) playing with their best defensive defender (Jonas Siegenthaler) at less than 100% and; c) using a raw goaltender with 13 games to his name for the second night in a row. It showed.

Although the Devils hung around for a while – aided by a flukey P.K. Subban goal – they were never really in the game.

I thought the Flames dominated the Devils from start to finish. They smothered Devils puck carriers in the neutral zone and aggressively defended the line, killing possessions before they really started.

With the puck, the Flames were very effective striking back in transition and created numerous opportunities with stretch passes. The Flames were also able to generate sustained pressure in the offensive zone on a regular basis. It didn’t much matter which line they had on the ice; they dominated regardless.

Even when losing by multiple goals, the Devils generally play respectably 5v5 hockey each night. That was far from the case in Calgary. Quite frankly, it might’ve been the worst performance I’ve seen from them all season.

It wasn’t just the bottom half of their roster getting picked apart either. It was their very best players.

Jack Hughes and Jesper Bratt couldn’t seem to get anything going for much of the night. They probably combined for more turnovers and failed entries than on-ice attempts.

The Devils were out-attempted 27-7 with Siegenthaler on the ice and he finished with an xG below 20%. Damon Severson finished with an xG below 25%. Attempts were 22-11 Calgary with Dougie Hamilton on the ice. It was bad.

And this is just touching on 5v5 play. That’s not even mentioning the fact the Devils were out-chanced 2-0 in eight minutes of power play work. That’s right; the Devils did not generate a single decent look on the man advantage despite having four full opportunities.

It was one of those games where a quick look at the standings could tell the same story the game did. The Flames looked the part of a division winner and Stanley Cup contender while the Devils looked like a side that, once again, is a bottom dweller.