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Devils Postgame: Keefe Critical of Effort; Defensive Issues in 6-5 OT Loss to Capitals

Sloppy defense, breakdowns too much despite Devils’ ability to fight back from two multi-goal deficits in a 6-5 overtime loss to the Capitals.

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New Jersey Devils
New Jersey Devils center Nico Hischier (13) skates with the puck against the Washington Capitals during the second period of a NHL hockey game against the Washington Capitals Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024, in Newark, N.J. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)

NEWARK — The New Jersey Devils welcomed the Washington Capitals into the Prudential Center on Saturday night for their second meeting of the season.



Devils defenseman Brenden Dillon suited up for his 900th NHL game, however, it was spoiled by a sloppy defensive effort with a side of undesirable compete level.

The 6-5 overtime loss certainly didn’t have Devils head coach Sheldon Keefe in a good mood, as he was critical of their effort despite a sliver of fight in his team.

Devils Recap

The Devils jumped out to an early 1-0 lead when Erik Haula caught Capitals goaltender Logan Thompson sleeping. From the far left wall, Haula threw a harmless shot toward the net that wound up in the back of the net for a 1-0 Devils lead. The Capitals struck back quickly, however, as Tom Wilson converted on an odd-man rush to tie the game. At about the halfway mark of the first period, the Capitals took the lead after Connor McMichael deposited a rebound past Jacob Markstrom. Alexander Ovechkin later widened the gap, deflecting a shot by John Carlson past Markstrom for a 3-1 Washington lead.

Nico Hischier scored twice to open the second period and knotted the game at three quickly. However, the Capitals regained their two-goal lead by the end of the middle frame on the sticks of Andrew Mangiapane and Dylan Strome.

Dawson Mercer and Dougie Hamilton on the power play knotted the game at five in the third period, sending New Jersey to overtime for the first time in 2024-25.

The Devils got their fair share of chances in overtime, however, Wilson’s second goal of the game ensured the Devils suffered their first overtime loss of the season.

Jacob Markstrom allowed six even strength goals, making 31 saves on 37 shots.

Hischier (2g, 1a) and Timo Meier (3a) each ended the night with three points.

Takeaways

Sloppy Defense

The Devils couldn’t get out of their own way on Saturday. The Capitals had far too much ice to play with on Saturday as a result of New Jersey’s inability to get it together in their own end.

They lost coverages in high danger areas, puck battles in front of Markstrom, and were failed to clear the puck from danger. The Capitals forecheck was fine, but not overwhelming enough that New Jersey should have been hemmed in their own end of the ice for as long as they were.

“We lost every battle. We were late [to the puck], and we lost every battle,” Keefe explained.

Line Blender

As a result of their poor play, Keefe blended the lines early and often. He broke up Simon Nemec and Seamus Casey, pairing the rookie with Siegenthaler and Nemec with Kovacevic.

READ: Devils Head Coach Concedes Simon Nemec Issue

Later, he flipped Ondrej Palat to the first line and dropped Paul Cotter to the fourth line.

When asked, Keefe just wanted to see more from his team.

“Just something,” Keefe exclaimed, insinuating he hoped the change in line combinations would spark a better effort in the Devils.

A Pinch of Fight

Keefe was clearly not pleased with his team’s effort on home ice. However, it’s hard to ignore that the Devils were down by two goals on two separate occasions and clawed their way back each time.

Hischier scored twice in 10 seconds — which is the fastest two goals scored by the same player in Devils franchise history — to tie the game at three in the second period. And although they found themselves down by two goals again by the second intermission, the Devils won the third period 2-0 on goals by Dawson Mercer and Dougie Hamilton.

It was a good enough effort to earn them a point, but not a good enough effort overall for the Devils’ head coach.

“I love that we had the wherewithal to find our way back in the second and the third period, but not even close to good enough in any area of the game tonight,” Keefe said, dissatisfied.

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