Devils again fail to win at home, but lose in shootout 5-4 on Kovalchuk's fanned shot

An 0-5-2 home record is not what the Devils envisioned when this season started, but now it has become much of a reality. The Prudential Center post game interview will have to wait until Friday or whenever the Devils choose to win a home game. Tonight, they came close again but fell short all because of a fanned Kovalchuk shootout attempt. Kovalchuk lost control of the puck and by rule, it is a miss in the shootout. Tonight was a crucial game for them considering they had 4 days off and all the time to fix their mistakes, but those mistakes continued and it was another tough start for Johan Hedberg and another bad game for Henrik Tallinder. Jamie Langenbrunner scored the lone shootout goal for the Devils and Thomas Vanek and Derek Roy for the Sabres.

Jason Arnott scored in the 1st period and it ended 1-0 Devils, but two quick goals 13 seconds apart in the 2nd for the Sabres gave them a 2-1 lead. Jason Pominville and Derek Roy scored them. David Clarkson tied the game up at 2 and the Devils grabbed a 3-2 lead on a power play goal by Jason Arnott. Yes, they finally scored a power play goal. However, Tyler Myers tied the game at 3 on a similar goal to the one he scored on Hedberg back on October 23rd. The Devils did get a Jamie Langenbrunner goal late in the 2nd to end the period 4-3 Devils. But, the lead did not last as Tyler Ennis scored in the 3rd to tie it up at 4.

It was an embarrassing loss today considering the Sabres had their 3rd string net-minder Jhonas Enroth in goal, not Ryan Miller or Patrick Lalime, both actually have played well against the Devils. Right now, the question is will the Devils face consequences for the loss tonight and how patient is Lou Lamoriello after a loss like this one? Well, Brian Rolston will return on Friday. Mattias Tedenby had an assist on Arnott's first goal of the game. This game could not have ended in a worse way with Kovalchuk loosing control of the puck in the shootout. Would not surprise me if there is another benching of him and he deserves it 100%. John MacLean is definitely on the hot seat after tonight.