New Jersey and Colorado combine for an avalanche of goals in the Devils 8-4 loss.
DENVER, CO – If the New Jersey Devils have proven anything, it’s that no lead is safe against them. Although their eight-game winning streak ended with an 8–4 loss in Colorado, the Devils once again demonstrated their resilience and determination.
The Avalanche jumped out to a commanding 5–0 lead over New Jersey by the 8:39 mark of the second. But the Devils showed remarkable resilience. In just four minutes and four seconds, they stormed back with goals from Stefan Noesen, Dougie Hamilton, Dawson Mercer, and Jack Hughes, cutting the deficit to 5–4.
Colorado made it a 6-4 game toward the tail end of the second, before extending their lead in the third, to end New Jersey’s win streak.
New Jersey went on a stretch of eight straight wins after losing their opening game of the year to the Carolina Hurricanes and is 8-2-0 in their opening 10 games of the season.
Here are some observations from the game:
• Jacob Markstrom returned to the Devils’ lineup for the first time since his Oct. 13 injury, and while the opening minutes were rocky, he, like the rest of the team, battled hard in hopes of sparking a comeback. Just 18 seconds in, his clearing attempt flew over the glass for a delay-of-game penalty, resulting in Martin Necas’ power play goal just 1:24 into the game. The Avs lead doubled when Markstrom was beaten one-on-one by Zahkar Bardakov’s wrist shot, putting Colorado up 2–0 by the 3:49 mark of the first period.
Despite the early setbacks, Markstrom settled in, making several timely saves. Not every goal was on him, there were defensive lapses in front of him, but he continued to compete and alongside his teammates who struck back with four goals in the second period to set up a riveting third.
• The Devils and Avalanche combined for eight goals in the second period, including four straight by the Devils from 10:08 to 14:12.
• Both Seamus Casey and Juho Lammikko made their season debuts for New Jersey. Casey was called up on Sunday evening with the news that defenseman Brett Pesce would miss the road trip. The 21-year-old slotted into the lineup alongside Brenden Dillon. The addition of Casey have head coach Sheldon Keefe a balance of left-hand and right-hand defensemen, while the makeup of the new defensive pairings paired up a younger defenseman with a more veteran presence as the team begins to navigate a Pesce-less lineup.
Keefe announced on Tuesday that Pesce’s injury is significant and that he will miss at least a month of action.
• The Devils’ penalty kill had an uncharacteristically rough night, especially considering their recent success. Colorado capitalized on four of six power-play opportunities, including one during a 5-on-3. Overall, it was a tough outing for New Jersey’s special teams, as the power play also went 0-for-2.
• In goal for the Avs was former Devils goaltender Scott Wedgewood. Wedgewood is one of those former Devils goaltenders who always seems to bring his best when facing his old team. Coming into the game, he had played six times against New Jersey, and won four of those matchups.
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