Sheldon Keefe Rips Devils’ Effort vs. Ducks, ‘It Was Disgraceful’

It’s unlike the 2024-25 New Jersey Devils to come out with an uninspired effort. Following an emotional loss to the Carolina Hurricanes over the weekend, the expectation was for the Devils to bounce back against an inferior Anaheim Ducks team on Tuesday night. Instead, the Devils seemingly mailed it in, looking like a team who was more prepared to celebrate the New Year, as opposed to a win on the ice, which certainly left their head coach unhappy.

The Ducks took a 1-0 lead in the first period on a goal by Troy Terry. Terry forced a turnover in the neutral zone which wound up back in the Devils’ end of the ice, and he eventually finished off to break open the score.

The Devils accrued 21 shots through the first 40 minutes. However, the majority came in the first period, when New Jersey peppered Ducks goaltender Lukas Dostal for 15 shots.

Despite not getting on the scoreboard, head coach Sheldon Keefe explained he liked how the Devils started Tuesday’s tilt, even though Anaheim struck first. It was the following 40 minutes that Keefe took exception with.

“For me, the second and third are our two worst periods of the season,” Keefe explained after the loss.

The Devils’ second period was quite sloppy, accruing just six shots. The Devils’ compete dissipated, took four penalties, and were completely unable to create scoring chances for themselves.

“We didn’t work. We didn’t play with any real purpose or structure,” Keefe explained. “You could say the penalties took the wind out of our sails and gave them life and momentum. But, we should be able to find that back. I thought we had a little bit of a pushback in the third in terms of our work ethic to stay on offense a little bit more. But, the chances we gave up were completely egregious. You have no chance to win in the NHL playing like that. It was disgraceful.”

The Ducks padded their 1-0 lead early in the third period on a goal by Robby Fabbri. However, Jonas Siegenthaler and Timo Meier provided the bit of pushback Keefe mentioned, and tied the game at two with just under seven minutes remaining in the third period.

Yet, Ryan Strome scored late in the third following a lost puck battle at the Devils’ blueline that ended up in the back of their net.

Keefe explained he feels after heading into the holiday break with such momentum, since returning, the Devils haven’t quite found their legs. The Devils’ head coach is hoping that rectifies itself soon.

The silver lining for Keefe is that Jacob Markstrom continued his December to remember, turning aside all five Ducks power play chances, and made 23 saves on 26 shots.

“Marky was great, he deserved two points here today, and he should be very upset with his teammates tonight,” Keefe concluded.

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