Lightning 4, Devils 1: Puzzling

The Devils no-showed in a high stakes game, generating 19 shots in a lifeless loss to direct competition for a playoff spot.

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A few notes following a downright shocking performance from the Devils on Sunday afternoon:

A new low

The Devils have put forth no shortage of disappointing efforts over the course of this season. Considering the circumstances, what we saw against the Lightning was right up there with the worst of them.

New Jersey entered the day just five points back of Tampa Bay for the second Wild Card spot. With a win, that gap sits at three. With a loss, seven.

It was as important of a game as you’ll see in February and the Devils entered the contest in as good of a spot as they could hope for.

They were at home. Save for 4th line winger Nathan Bastian, they had a full crop of forwards to work with. The defense was as healthy as it’s been in months. They were squaring off against a backup goaltender who entered play with an .886 save percentage. The list goes on.

I certainly didn’t expect the Devils to walk all over a veteran Lightning team in such an important game. They knew the stakes, too, and always seem to rise to the occasion when needed. But it was a game where the Devils really should’ve been able to give the Bolts all they could handle – and they no-showed.

The Devils checked all the same problematic boxes that have led them to this spot in the first place.

They conceded the opening goal for the 42nd time in 58 games, falling behind a team that knows how to clog the lanes and make life difficult on opponents attempting to come from behind.

New Jersey gave up another goal shortly after, once again conceding multiple goals in quick succession. One slip up leading to another in short order has been a constant all season.

The Devils were as lifeless as ever offensively, generating only 19 shots (three in the 3rd period) against one of the worst goaltenders they will come across.

They did not test Johansson in the slightest, which is alarming given a) the stakes of the game; b) the personnel that was available to play and; c) the fact the Devils had multiple power plays to push for the tying goal.

The Devils looked like a team with no confidence. The Devils looked like a team with no juice. They just looked…lost.

At a time the Devils need to be playing their best hockey and coming up with answers, all we’re seeing surface is more questions.

Too quick to the blender