Islanders 4, Devils 3: Close but no cigar

The Devils did a lot of good things against the Islanders. Unfortunately, they couldn't snap their losing skid.

Follow along on Twitter @ToddCordell | @InfernalAccess

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

---

A few notes from New Jersey’s overtime defeat at the hands of New York:

It’s not as bad as it seems ☀️

I know many are frustrated, disappointed, and perhaps suffering from a little PTSD following New Jersey’s fourth consecutive defeat.

It has largely felt like previous years where the team can’t capitalize on its chances while seemingly everything winds up in the back of the net at the other. I get it.

But I do not see any cause for panic. One of the key indicators of a good team is controlling the high-danger chance battle.

If you generate a lot of Grade As, while giving up few, you’re generally going to win a lot more than you lose. The Devils have done that – even during this skid.

The Devils have controlled 56.48% of the Grade As over the last four games, one of the league's top marks. They’ve out-chanced opponents by 29 while also winning the expected goal battle.

The reward for their efforts is an 0-2-2 stretch in which they gave up 23 goals and were outscored by seven. By and large, it has all come down to goaltending.

Jacob Markstrom and Jake Allen have combined to stop 81.45% of the shots they’ve faced over the last four games. 81%! That’s the worst percentage in the league and easily explains how the Devils have given up 23 goals on 13 expected.

Have the Devils made mistakes along the way? Absolutely. Are there things they could do better? For sure.

At the end of the day, though, the goal is to generate better chances than you give up and the Devils have done that well. They just haven’t gotten saves.

Is that frustrating, especially given all Tom Fitzgerald invested to solidify the position once and for all? You bet.

Is it concerning? I don’t think so.

Jacob Markstrom was a top-5 goalie by GSAx just last season. Jake Allen has long been a competent platoon guy who, just a few days ago, owned fantastic numbers on the season.

At their age, it’s possible one or both is set to take a step back. Having said that, there’s a difference between a couple of guys showing signs of age and going from an excellent tandem to a pair of unplayable goalies.

Markstrom and Allen will figure it out. Even if they don’t play as well as anyone hopes, they will still be much, much, better than this.

And when that happens, the wins will follow so long as the Devils continue on exactly as they are.

The Nico line is rolling 🎳