3 Reasons for Optimism & Pessimism After Devils Wild Loss to Avalanche

The New Jersey Devils’ eight-game win streak came to a humbling end on Tuesday.

The Colorado Avalanche, coined, “The best offense in the NHL,” by Devils head coach Sheldon Keefe, rang up Jacob Markstrom—returning from injury—for eight goals.

Some of it was self-inflicted. Others were the result of a high-powered offense converting on their chances.

READ MORE: Markstrom Return Flops; PK Implodes; Devils Streak Snapped in Wild Loss to Avalanche

Look, sometimes these games happen. The Devils weren’t going to go 81-1-0 the rest of the way. In the postgame, the Devils and their coach all explained they’re already looking past this one.

A real sign of maturity will be if the Devils can leave this one in the rearview mirror, get back to their game on Thursday, and remain consistent.

We’ve talked so much about how this group has taken those steps toward maturation. Now it’s time to walk the walk.

Despite Tuesday’s score, there are some positives to take away from the brutal loss. However, there are, of course, some negatives.

Let’s dive in.

Optimism

Fight back

I’m not sure last year’s Devils team would have scored a single goal after the Avalanche took a 5-0 lead.

Sure, the loose puck Stefan Noesen found was essentially a gift, but it was a well-placed shot, whereas a tighter stick last season may have missed the net completely. The Devils found a way to fight back in the loss, before unraveling for a second time in the third period.

The Avalanche are a juggernaut. It should surprise no one to see them score eight goals against anyone in the NHL. But, the Devils found a way to pull themselves out of the trenches, even if it was just for a short while.

That’s something they struggled with for several seasons. If they tighten up even just a little bit, they perhaps even come away with a point last night.

Even Strength Play

All of the Devils’ goals came at even strength on Tuesday. It was an impressive four-plus minute span where the Devils completely tilted the ice in their direction.

They buckled down, got back to their structure while down five goals, and found their game.

In fact, at even strength, they out-chanced the Avalanche 28-26 through three periods, and in the frame where they scored the most goals, they were on the wrong side of a 7-12 scoring chance differential.

On most nights when they play that way at even strength and stay disciplined, it’s a winning recipe. Their play away from even strength is what upended their winning streak against Colorado.

Seamus Casey Sufficient

The good news is Seamus Casey was sufficient at 5-on-5. He was paired with Brenden Dillon, and received the most minutes at even strength among the defensemen.

Casey accrued a 60.61 CF% and a 52.37 xGF%. Yes, he was on the ice for three Avalanche goals, yet, they were low-danger chances that were coughed up by Markstrom.

The 21-year-old defenseman isn’t going to be a Brett Pesce replacement. If those are your expectations, you’ll certainly be disappointed. However, if he plays his role well next to Dillon, and will be perfectly fine as a puck transitioner and distributor, while Dillon locks down defensive duties.

Pessimism

Pesce Absence Felt

In contrast to Casey’s sufficient first game, Brett Pesce‘s lack of presence was certainly felt.

The problem right now is no one is going to replace what Pesce does. His defensive efforts are so grand, they don’t go unnoticed, unlike your average defensive defenseman.

He blocks shots like no other, he’s the Devils’ best defender, and Sheldon Keefe relies on him for the toughest assignments.

The penalty kill gave up four goals for the first time this season after several games of negating each and every penalty they took. Is it a coincidence that this was the first game Pesce was unavailable and the Devils’ PK unraveled? Perhaps not.

Dougie Hamilton‘s improved defense and Jonas Siegenthaler soften the blow, but as for the rest of the blueline, it’s hard to see who is making up for at least half of what Pesce offers in his absence.

Discipline & Penalty Kill

Seeing the Devils’ PK going as well as it did through the first nine games was impressive. However, they received so much ice time because of their inability to stay out of the box.

That was the case, again, in Colorado, giving the Avalanche six(!!) opportunities on the man advantage. That’s a lot of chances to give the NHLs No.1 offense.

As previously stated, Pesce’s presence on the kill was missed. The Avalanche scored four times, and the Devils struggled to win their puck battle and clear pucks while down a man. They got away from their PK structure, and were far less aggressive in their pursuit for the puck.

Perhaps the Avalanche are just that good that they were able to match the Devils’ pace and aggression. Or, perhaps the Devils’ PK is out of sync without Pesce.

Regardless, their best recipe in games like Tuesday is to stay out of the box. They’ve struggled to do that with the third-worst penalty-kill minutes differential at minues-18:30.

And in the spirit of discipline, unraveling a second time in 60 minutes after closing the five-goal gap is a red flag. Let’s just hope they got that out of the way on Tuesday.

Goaltending

And finally, yesterday’s start by Jacob Markstrom was another red flag as the Devils seek an extension with the veteran goaltender.

Yes, he’s just coming off of injury. And, of course, we’ll need to see him play more before making any definitive proclamations on the 35-year-old netminder.

However, he wasn’t exactly thriving before he was injured, and he certainly could have kept the game closer than he did on Tuesday.

For starters, he was the direct result of the first goal against, sending the puck out of play 18 seconds after puck drop, receiving a minor for delay of game, to which the Avalanche quickly scored.

He ended the game with -3.86 saves above expected, which almost certainly was the difference.

The Devils didn’t necessarily play all the well in front of him in certain moments, but Markstrom was certainly rusty in his return. He has yet to make a case for himself that an extension would be a good idea, although he has plenty of runway to flip the narrative.

Fitzgerald should be patient with this one.