If a team is going to follow up a 7-1 loss with another loss, it better be like 3-2, but for the Devils it was much similar to that. The Devils lost 5-1 to the Capitals at Verizon Center in Washington and played similar to the way they have been playing all year long. Andrew Gordon, Jay Beagle, Jason Chimera, John Carlson, and Mike Knuble scored for the Capitals while Patrik Elias converted for the Devils on the power play which continues to be the only positive for the Devils. The Devils have not scored a 5 on 5 goal since last Wednesday's win against Phoenix.
The Devils outshot the Capitals 36-28, but again only got one goal. The Devils losses have been coming in only scoring one goal in most of those games this year. With the Devils very likely or definitely to miss the playoffs, now the question becomes what can they do to salvage the season? Is John MacLean on his way out finally or how does he still have a job? We do not know the answers. Lou Lamoriello will have a tough evaluation coming up after the Roster Freeze, but the freeze itself does not apply to coaches.
The Devils actually played well in the first and half of the second, but then things started to unravel and more exposure by the Devils. So, once again, it seems like Lou Lamoriello has already conceded this year and probably is thinking a major shake-up would not change anything. We shall see what happens, but a coaching change could be a good start to try to salvage what is left of a miserable and mystifying year for the New Jersey Devils hockey club which is on pace to finish 29/30. The only good thing about it is they get a top 5 pick from it.
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