New Jersey Devils

On Adam Henrique Bobblehead night, the New Jersey Devils hosted the Avalanche, who were playing their second game in a row, after last night’s loss in Brooklyn.

By Patrick Comia

Tonight’s game marks the first of a busy schedule for the New Jersey Devils in the coming weeks.

But first, they played host to the Colorado Avalanche, who were on the second of back-to-back games, playing last night at the Barclay’s Center losing 5-3 to the New York Islanders.

You would think the Devils would take advantage of a tired group. However, Colorado didn’t back down and played as if they were refreshed.

The first twenty minutes saw both teams pay an evenly-matched game. Both had several chances to score; however, the goaltending was equal to the task and shunned any attempts. Both Cory Schneider and Reto Berra were there to shut the door early on. It was almost a game of chicken within the hockey game, who would blink first.

A dangerous play along the boards resulted in a Devils man-advantage. Avalanche forward and former Islanders Blake Comeau was penalized for boarding after checking Damon Severson into the boards, head first.

It seemed like the bad blood between the two teams started brewing after that.

It probably was egged on by the Avalanche’s two goals in the same period. The first coming from Colorado’s Matt Duchene, who set the franchise record in goals in a month with (11) in November. He tallied his 13th of the season, after snapping a quick wrist shot that Schneider initially stopped, but somehow got passed the goalie for the 1-0 lead.

Colorado’s second goal came from offensive defenseman Tyson Barrie, who used John Moore as a screen in front to fire a shot between his legs and over the shoulder of Schneider to the far post.

Jordin Tootoo tried to spark his team by going nose-to nose, urrr chest, with Avalanche defenseman Erik Johnson. This was supposed to be a mismatch in height, but don’t tell Tootoo that. He not only stood his ground, after taking early shots from Johnson, but fired back with punches of his own and made the defenseman think twice about going after players shorter than him.

However, the Devils would cut intot he lead off a faceoff win by Travis Zajac in the third period. After the win, the New Jersey native Kyle Palmieri scored a big goal by wristing a shot past Berra, which was partially deflected by an Avalanche defenseman in front.

But, tonight there would be no comeback for the Devils. Berra was on point tonight, making 27 of 28 possible saves to secure his fifth win of the season. New Jersey could not break through early in the game, perhaps still experiencing hangovers from last weekend.

There is no rest for the wary tho.

The Devils start a stretch of nine games in the next two weeks. This could part of the schedule could be pivotal to their standings in the Metropolitan Division and set them up for a playoff position, if they survive.

Next game will be Thursday night, as they travel down to Raleigh, NC to take on the Carolina Hurricanes at PNC arena.

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I'm a blogger trying to make it in this world. Have been, and always will be, a fan of the NYR and NYG. Writing for the New Jersey Devils cause, well, someone has to do it!