peter adopts the devils

Vitek got vanquished: Canes beat Devils 6-1

The New Jersey Devils got blown out by the Carolina Hurricanes in Game Four, spoiling their chance to tie up the series. (Hey, did you know that I’ve adopted the Devils this postseason? It has brought me nothing but pain.)

New Jersey scored first, a deflection off Jack Hughes following Brett Pesce’s giveaway. Martin Necas scored on the rush after a nifty pass from Jordan Martinook, leaving us tied after one period.

The second was all Hurricanes. Necas scored again after a nice centering pass – again from Martinook. Brett Pesce went post-and-in after a few quick passes, then Jesper Fast scored with a backhand in a net-front scramble, then Brent Burns got one with an outside slapshot. That was enough for Vitek Vanecek. Jordan Martinook, all alone, ripped one top shelf to make it 6-1 at the end of two periods.

Canes win 6-1. Carolina leads the series 3-1. Thursday is an elimination game.

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By Peter Hassett 5 months ago

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Hurricanes maul Devils 6-1 to take 2-0 series lead

The Carolina Hurricanes womped the New Jersey Devils to take a 2-0 lead in their semifinal series. The Devils didn’t even put up a fight.

After a goalless first, Jesperi Kotkaniemi scored two in the second period – first a power-play while wide open, then a hard-working net-front goal. Jordan Staal outdanced poor Akira Schmid, then Martin Necas joined a swarm to make it 4-0 after two periods.

Miles Wood ended Frederick Andersen’s shutout early in the third period, thanks to some good forechecking by Nathan Bastian. Jordan Martinook stole an errant pass and carried it the length of the ice to make it 5-1, then Stefan Noesen took a saucer pass from Sebastian Aho to make it 6-1.

Canes win. They lead the series 2-0.

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By Peter Hassett 5 months ago

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Devils destroy Rangers 4-0, advance to second round

The New Jersey Devils advanced to the second round of the playoffs with a decisive game-seven win over the New York Rangers on Monday night. It was never in doubt. [Note: I’ve been covering the Devils for the postseason. Looks like I’ll be doing it a bit longer.]

After a scoreless first period, Michael McLeod scored a shorthanded goal after Ondrej Palat did some excellent forechecking. Tomas Tatar made it 2-0 by taking a genius pass from John Marino. Erik Haula made it 3-0 with a quintessential New Jersey rush goal. Jesper Bratt got the empty-netter.

The Devils have eliminated the Rangers in seven games. The Devils advance to the second round.

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By Peter Hassett 5 months ago

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Utter collapse: Rangers beat Devils 5-2

The New Jersey Devils kicked off Game Six against the New York Rangers like a team determined to end the series. That lasted maybe 19 minutes, then they turned into a frustrated fluffle of bashful bunnies. [Note: I’m covering the Devils this postseason. One of the biggest mistakes I’ve made, and that includes the time I had a mohawk.]

Curtis Lazar found a bad rebound from Igor Shesterkin and converted it into an early lead for the Devils. That lead did not survive the period; however, as Chris Kreider tipped in a shot in the last thirty seconds. Those last few seconds seemed to change everything.

In the second period, Mika Zibenejad got his first goal of the postseason, scoring on a pass from below the goal line to give New York the lead. After a failed clear, Vladimir Tarasenko potted a big shot to give the Rangers a two-goal lead after two periods.

In the third, Barclay Goodrow teamed up with Jimmy Vesey for an odd-man break to make it 4-1 Rangers. Braden Schneider, an unlikely scorer, got one from way out. Mercer got a power-play goal with five minutes left, but it was over.

Rangers win 5-2. The series is tied 3-3. Game Seven will be on Monday night.

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By Peter Hassett 5 months ago

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The Jonas Siegenthaler game: Devils beat Rangers 3-1

The New Jersey Devils tied their playoff series against the New York Rangers with a convincing win on enemy ice. The unlikely star of the game? It’s ya boi Jonas Siegenthaler with a goal and an assist.

Jack Hughes scored on a beauty of a breakaway early in the first period. After a scoreless second, Vincent Trochek tied the game, snatching a big rebound two minutes into the third period. But Jonas Siegenthaler caught a crisp cross-ice pass and ripped a shot to the far side to make it 2-1 Devils. Ondrej Palat sealed the deal with an empty-net goal.

Devils win! Series tied 2-2.

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By Peter Hassett 5 months ago

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A series after all: Devils beat Rangers 2-1 in overtime

I don’t know the geography of the metro area, but I assume the series between the New Jersey Devils and New York Rangers crossed some body of water on its way to Madison Square Garden for Game 3 on Saturday night. (Note: I’m covering the Devils in these playoffs because I make poor choices and now I have to suffer the consequences.)

Chris Kreider continued his absurd playoff run with a two-on-one goal in the second period. Jack Hughes used a nasty shot on the power play to tie it up. A scoreless third period meant we got free playoff overtime hockey. That’s when Dougie Hamilton became the hero, taking a pass from Bratt to win it.

Devils win! Rangers lead the series 2-1.

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By Peter Hassett 5 months ago

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Ruff night: Rangers beat Devils 5-1

The New York Rangers trounced the New Jersey Devils to take a 2-0 lead in their quarterfinal series. I’m not sure what happened to the regular-season Devils, but these guys looked nothing them. (Note: I’ve adopted the Devils for the postseason. Maybe this was a mistake.)

Erik Haula got a rebound from the paint to give the Devils the lead early, but they gave up three goals in the second period: Tarasenko after a lot of lateral movement, then a pair of power-play goals from Chris Krieder. Patrick Kane stole the puck and carried it all the way to the Devils net to make it 4-1 in the third. Kaapo Kakko exploited some lateral movement to make it 5-1, and that was enough.

Rangers win. Rangers lead the series 2-0.

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By Peter Hassett 5 months ago

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Playoff Vitek returns: Rangers beat Devils 5-1

The New Jersey Devils played their first postseason game since 2018, and it was awful. (Note: I’ve adopted the Devils for the postseason. It’s a bit. Mostly.)

Vladimir Tarasenko scored five minutes into the game as Jonas Siegenthaler got out-muscled. Chris Krieder deflected a shot from Adam Fox to make it 2-0 after one period. The Devils dominated the second period but couldn’t convert – not the case for Ryan Lindgren, who beat Vitek Vanecek up high.

Halfway into the third period, Chris Kreider did it again, deflecting Fox’s shot. Jack Hughes notched his first career postseason point with a penalty shot of all things, but that was all the scoring they could muster. The Rangers got the empty-netter, and that was that.

Rangers beat Devils 5-1. Rangers lead the series 1-0.

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By Peter Hassett 5 months ago

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I’m adopting the New Jersey Devils this postseason. Here’s why.

The Washington Capitals have been eliminated from playoff contention, so there goes that. At least we don’t have to use the word berth this year. I hate that word. It feels wet and sticky.

An early summer for the Caps puts me in a tough situation. It’s my job to write about hockey, and I was hoping to cover a Caps playoff run for at least a week. Now I need something to do, so I’ve decided I’m going to cover the New Jersey Devils in the playoffs. I don’t know if this is a good idea, but I’m doing it.

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By Peter Hassett 6 months ago

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