Devils Locker Room: Trying to Explain Forking Over Leads (+)

NEWARK—When the New Jersey Devils are on, they’re really on. Typically, they’re firing on all cylinders, creating a plethora of high-danger scoring chances as puck possession monsters. However, when the Devils are off, they can be really off. Like, so off the way they were on Sunday against the Colorado Avalanche, who routed the Devils to a 4-0 shutout. Amid the beating Colorado put on the lifeless Devils, a concerning trend continued, to which even they don’t have answers for.

3 Thoughts: Avalanche Embarrass Devils; Concerning Trend; Emotionless

When the Devils are at their best, they’re piling on scoring chances on the rush. Typically, their speed and skill allows them to transition the puck from one end of the ice to the other.

The issue last night? The Avalanche clogged the neutral zone and completely negated the Devils’ rush, resulting in limited scoring chances for New Jersey throughout the 60-minute tilt.

Everyone has an off night. It hasn’t been overly alarming when that happens, especially since they’re still sitting near the top of the Metropolitan Division.

However, this? This is alarming. The Devils’ inability to capture the first lead, forking it over in nine of their last 10 games, was supposed to be last season’s problem.

Even they’re struggling to explain it.