The New Jersey Devils are thankfully finished with the Washington Capitals this season. On Easter Sunday, they attempted to come back from a deficit against Washington. In the end, they fell short by a score of 5-4. New Jersey finished the season 0-6-2 against a team that just seemed to have an answer every step of the way.
Even though New Jersey jumped out to an early lead on Sunday, that lead never felt safe. The vital part of this game was the fact that the Devils could not get that 2-0 goal. When Washington tied the game late in the first period, one got the feeling the game was over. Even as New Jersey drew closer late in the contest, no one actually believed the Capitals were in any kind of danger.
-
Ep 77: Patrick Kane Signs, Goalie Issues, Corey Perry, and More
by Full Press Coverage on December 3, 2023 at 3:05 am
Jim and Chris are back for another Pucks After Dark on Full Press Hockey […]
Part of that was New Jersey experiencing a lot of the same problems they always seem to.
New Jersey’s lack of special teams hurt the Devils again
It has felt like an endless loop all season but the Devils cannot execute on the power play. Also, the penalty kill created problems again this afternoon. Though Washington only scored once on the penalty kill, it was the short-handed goal that was the big blow. After New Jersey had clawed back to get the score to 3-2, they had a power-play which could have tied the game. Instead, Carl Hagelin found a way to tally short-handed and after that, New Jersey lost its chance to take back control of the contest.
Washington added another goal before New Jersey mounted a late third-period charge that fell short. It felt like the Capitals always had an answer in every one of these games no matter what New Jersey tried. The Devils are one of the youngest teams in the NHL with an average age of 25.3. Washington’s average age is 30.1. That pays dividends.
And on Sunday, it did in a big way. Washington was able to contain New Jersey’s power play four times in a row. Washington scored the short-handed goal and a power-play goal from Alex Ovechkin.
New Jersey was taught a season-long lesson by the Washington Capitals and that lesson was concluded on Sunday afternoon. To play winning hockey, a team has to excel in all three phases. Somewhat excelling in one does not cut it often enough. This is partly why New Jersey has such a difficult time winning games.
New Jersey cannot win the games because they cannot finish the chances given to them. Also, they seem to not be able to stop the penalty kill in needed situations. That seems expected for a team that is so young as they try to find their identity.
Some Positives At Even Strength
Unlike what happened Saturday, New Jersey had a better showing for most of Sunday. The Devils were able to control vast stretches of the first and third period — particularly the first and last ten minutes of the game. Their expected goals for percentage was over 65% at even strength and possession was near 70%. But it was that first period where New Jersey fired in an expected goals rate at 1.43. It was one of their better efforts of the season.
Despite that, New Jersey again only scored once. As Travis Zajac said later, “New Jersey could not find that second early goal”. A 2-0 lead would have sent a message to Washington that this would not be like yesterday. When T.J. Oshie scored, the Capitals countered with simply this will be like yesterday and all the days.
On the bright side, the New Jersey Devils did not back down as they have at times this season. Given the news that was levied earlier on Sunday, a lesser team might have done so.
So, what was that elephant in the room?
Latest Devils News
- New York Giants Football Legend Carl Banks Grew Up A Hockey Fan
- Was Nico Hischier The Missing Piece For The Devils?
- NHL Rumors: Chicago Blackhawks, New Jersey Devils, Arizona Coyotes
- Chalk Talk: John Marino Must Close Gaps in Devils Defense Zone
- Rangers 11-Game Point Streak Comes To Crashing Halt In 6-3 Loss To The Stars
Kyle Palmieri Will Not Be Staying In New Jersey
It always had the potential to end this way. Palmieri stands a chance to play the rest of the way for a contender. Just where that will remains anyone’s guess.
Can confirm that Kyle Palmieri is being held out of Devils lineup today in anticipation of a trade in the coming days or week(s).
— Bartlett Hockey (@BartlettHockey) April 4, 2021
It confirmed something most knew for some time now. The question now is where does the right-winger end up. Palmieri did finish his Devils’ tenure with four goals in his final eight contests. Over the last month, the soon-to-be-former Devil was averaging nearly three shots a game. He began to look more like the forward we saw the previous few seasons. That 30-goal potential is still there.
The biggest dropoff with Palmieri was power-play goals. He has just one on the season where the previous three seasons, the winger had 11 each. Consider this fact.
Since 2015-16, only 5 Right-Wings have scored more @NHL goals than @kylepalmieri pic.twitter.com/2J99WVmRXG
— Bartlett Hockey (@BartlettHockey) April 4, 2021
That is a rather impressive list. The winger may have his shortcomings but he should be able to fetch a rather good return sometime this week or by the April 12th trade deadline. It will be an interesting week for Tom Fitzgerald and the New Jersey Devils.
-
Ep 77: Patrick Kane Signs, Goalie Issues, Corey Perry, and More
by Full Press Coverage on December 3, 2023 at 3:05 am
Jim and Chris are back for another Pucks After Dark on Full Press Hockey […]
-
Ep 76: Oilers, Flames, Winter Classic Jersey, Avs, and More
by Full Press Coverage on November 23, 2023 at 6:42 am
Jim and Chris are back for another edition of Full Press Hockey Weekly to […]
-
Ep 75: Hockey After Dark
by Full Press Coverage on November 15, 2023 at 3:12 am
Jim and Chris are back for the first edition of Full Press Hockey After […]
-
Off to Motown: Patrick Kane Signs with Detroit Red Wings
by Full Press Coverage on November 28, 2023 at 7:07 pm
Jim Biringer is back once again joined by Kevin Allen of Detroit Hockey […]
-
What's on Russ's Mind: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly
by Full Press Coverage on November 23, 2023 at 1:00 pm
Jim Biringer is back once again joined by Russ Cohen of Full Press Hockey, […]
-
Off To Alberta To Check On The Edmonton Oilers
by Full Press Coverage on November 19, 2023 at 1:00 pm
Jim Biringer is back once again joined by Avry Lewis-McDougall of the […]
-
Ep 87: Captain Brad Marchand, New Season Expectations, Bruins Hockey Is Back
by Full Press Coverage on October 11, 2023 at 11:10 pm
Ian and Chris return for the start of the Bruins season as they talk Brad […]
-
Ep 86: David Krejci Announces Retirement
by Full Press Coverage on August 14, 2023 at 10:28 pm
Ian and Chris react to David Krejci's retirement. Learn more about your ad […]
-
S5Ep13 - Patrick Kane Signs with Detroit Red Wings
by Jim Biringer on November 28, 2023 at 5:21 pm
Jim Biringer is back for the fifth season of the Final Word on Hockey in a […]
-
S5Ep12 - Time For William Nylander To Get Paid
by Jim Biringer on November 19, 2023 at 1:00 pm
Jim Biringer is back for the fifth season of the Final Word on Hockey […]
-
Wild at Blackhawks - Sharks at Rangers - Blue Jackets at Bruins
by Broken Controller Media on December 3, 2023 at 3:00 pm
Hunter Logan Previews Wild at Blackhawks, Sharks at Rangers, Blue Jackets […]
-
Predators at Sabres - Avalanche at Kings
by Broken Controller Media on December 3, 2023 at 3:00 pm
Hunter Logan Previews Predators at Sabres, Avalanche at Kings on Stack The […]
-
Avalanche at Ducks - Canucks at Flames - Capitals at Golden Knights
by Broken Controller Media on December 2, 2023 at 5:00 pm
Hunter Logan Previews Avalanche at Ducks, Canucks at Flames, Capitals at […]
-
Episode #147: Sloppy October Is Over?
by Full Press Coverage on November 2, 2023 at 8:37 pm
On this edition of The Calder Farmstead, Sean and Sarah finish out the […]
-
Episode #146: Spooky Luck
by Full Press Coverage on October 27, 2023 at 4:09 pm
On this episode of The Calder Farmstead, Mr. Anderson (Sean) and Tina […]
-
ROP Recap Preds 2 Sabres 1 Game 24 2023-24 NHL Season
by Charlie Saunier on December 4, 2023 at 3:33 am
ROP Recap Preds 2 Sabres 1 Game 24 2023-24 NHL Season Learn more about […]
-
Full Press Canadiens - 12-3 - Great work from Suzuki in tough loss
by Full Press Coverage on December 3, 2023 at 4:00 pm
Full Press Canadiens - 12-3 - Josh Gosse and Jesse Poirier speak about the […]
-
Renegades Of Puck Ep 829
by Charlie Saunier on December 3, 2023 at 9:11 am
Ep 829 The Renegades Of Puck Recap 4-3 L Vs Rangers Preview Sabres & […]
-
ROP Recap Rangers 4 Preds 3 Game 23 2023-24 NHL Season
by Charlie Saunier on December 3, 2023 at 5:55 am
ROP Recap Rangers 4 Preds 3 Game 23 2023-24 NHL Season Learn more about […]
-
Renegades Of Puck Ep 828
by Charlie Saunier on December 1, 2023 at 6:59 pm
Ep 828 The Renegades Of Puck Recap 6-1 L Vs Wild Preview Rangers & […]
-
Full Press Islanders - 12-1 - Take the 2 points and run
by Full Press Coverage on December 1, 2023 at 4:55 pm
Last night wasn't pretty but they found a way to win and that's what […]
-
12/1 - NFL MVP, Week 13 Picks
by Full Press Coverage on December 3, 2023 at 2:18 am
Ian and John discuss the ever-changing MVP race and give their predictions […]
-
11/28 - MNF Reaction, State Of The NFL
by Full Press Coverage on November 30, 2023 at 3:49 am
Ian and John react to Monday Night Football and discuss more of the state […]
-
11/27 - Thanksgiving Recap; Jalen Hurts, NFL News and Notes
by Full Press Coverage on November 27, 2023 at 10:43 pm
Ian and John recap Thanksgiving weekend, discuss Jalen Hurts' moment, and […]
-
11/24 - Thanksgiving Recap, Jets/Dolphins, Week 12 Picks
by Full Press Coverage on November 24, 2023 at 3:47 pm
Ian and John react to all of the action on Thanksgiving Day and look ahead […]
-
Ep 162: Joe Flacco, Dak Prescott and The MVP, Week 13 Discussion
by Full Press Coverage on December 3, 2023 at 3:58 pm
Ian and Braden discuss Joe Flacco's return, Dak's MVP candidacy, and more […]
-
12/1 - NFL MVP, Week 13 Picks
by Full Press Coverage on December 3, 2023 at 2:18 am
Ian and John discuss the ever-changing MVP race and give their predictions […]
-
Ep 193: Ayako Hamada
by Full Press Coverage on December 2, 2023 at 3:00 pm
Ayako Hamada has had a wide and varied career through AAA, SHIMMER, TNA, […]
-
Ep. 262 - The In Season Tournament is Going Better Than Anyone Expected
by Full Press Coverage on December 1, 2023 at 12:56 am
Jet and Sap share their thoughts now that group play is over with in the […]
-
Ep 198: Week 13 vs Chiefs
by Full Press Coverage on November 30, 2023 at 8:20 pm
In this episode, co-hosts Kyle Senra and Jesse Hall are joined by Braden […]
-
Ep 316: Week 13 Fantasy Football Preview
by Full Press Coverage on November 30, 2023 at 4:08 am
In this episode, Kyle Serna and Brad Harvin provide a survival guide for […]
-
11/28 - MNF Reaction, State Of The NFL
by Full Press Coverage on November 30, 2023 at 3:49 am
Ian and John react to Monday Night Football and discuss more of the state […]
-
Ep 180: Hall of Fame Class Of 2024 Semifinalists Discussion
by Full Press Coverage on November 28, 2023 at 7:02 pm
Ira and Clark dissect the 2024 Hall of Fame class semifinalists. Learn […]