Flyers 5, Devils 2: A disappointing start

Notes on Blackwood's struggles, a strong opener from Holtz, Bratt's ice time, and more from an underwhelming Game 1.

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A few observations following a disappointing loss on opening night:

Mackenzie Blackwood struggled

Blackwood, for the most part, looked good in preseason. His movement was more explosive than its been in recent years, he didn’t leave a ton of rebounds on the table, and he simply stopped pucks. Blackwood posted a .937 SV% or better in three of four starts, with the lone exception coming in a game the Devils dressed next to nobody from their NHL roster.

Then came the regular season and Blackwood reverted back to the form we’ve seen most of the last two seasons. The Devils absolutely made some mistakes in front of him; even some bad ones.

But Blackwood conceded four goals on just 24 shots. Even if half of them are of the highest quality, that’s not a good night any way you slice it.

I thought the first goal Blackwood conceded, in particular, just crushed the Devils. After a somewhat tentative start, the Devils were beginning to find their form. They just got a huge boost from Alexander Holtz scoring his first career goal.

Then, the very next shift, Blackwood allowed a huge rebound on a very harmless shot and next thing you know it’s in the back of the net.

Could the Devils have done a better job of boxing out? Absolutely! At the same time, Blackwood was the reason a low percentage shot turned into a dangerous opportunity in the first place. Had he made the simple save it should’ve been, the play would’ve been killed and everyone would move on.

Instead, the team sagged right after it received a shot in the arm. That’s the exact kind of thing that happened time after time after time a season ago. It just can’t happen.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying the Devils were on their way to a dominant win and Blackwood was the only problem.

But it was a disappointing showing from someone they really need to step up this season.

Holtz showed up