With the aftermath of Saturday's debacle still looming, the New Jersey Devils looked to reset 24 hours later against the visiting Detroit Red Wings. Neither team had much to play for here other than pride and jobs on the line for next season. With that being said, New Jersey has a chance to come away with a victory. Whether or not they play consistently for sixty minutes was going to the story here.
First period of play was relatively boring through the opening fifteen minutes of play, with both teams having just seven shots on goal between them. Detroit would make the next shot count after some sloppy play by New Jersey in their end, when Oskar Sundqvist took advantage of a steal and beat Andrew Hammond over the blocker. It was Oskar's 8th goal of the year assisted by Tyler Bertuzzi to give the Red Wings a 1-0 lead into the intermission.
Second period didn't have much on the ice to speak of, other than the fact the Red Wings nearly doubled the Devils in shots on goal during the frame. New Jersey also had two powerplays that Detroit didn't, yet where completely shutdown by the Red Wings defense. Also one thing that should be noted as well was the minute and a half or so that the Devils had an extra man on the ice for the delayed penalty call the second time.
When the third got underway, it was pretty much all Detroit with the exception that they didn't score any goals and put New Jersey away. Things changed though when the Devils pulled their goalie after an icing by Detroit with just over 2:30 left in the game. Red Wings won the faceoff in their end, collected themselves, and had Tyler Bertuzzi score his 29th of the year pretty much effectively putting the Devils out of this one with just over two minutes left.
As if losing in front of the home crow wasn't bad enough, Detroit would add insult to injury with another empty netter just before the end of the contest with thirteen seconds left. Goal was scored by Michael Rasmussen that was his 14th and gives him a chance to hit 15 goals in a season for the first time in his career.
What's left to say at this point? This has been a season to forget for New Jersey as things like having a goal overturned during Sunday's game due to offsides, have been a microcosm of the struggles this year. Differences like that have seemed to be the backbreaker for the Devils this year whether it's the carousel at goaltender at the moment, or not closing out leads late in games, something's gonna change with the makeup of this team next year.
Devils Hit The Road
New Jersey will head on the road for games against Ottawa and Carolina on Tuesday and Thursday before coming home and wrapping up the season. Friday is when they will do that and it will be a rematch between the Devils and Red Wings in New Jersey's final home game, fan appreciation night.
