Returning home to Prudential Center did not go as planned for the Devils on Tuesday night. Goals late in the second and early in the third by the Blues sealed the Devils' fate in a 3-1 loss.
Here are 10 takeaways from the game: 1. There was no morning skate for the New Jersey Devils Tuesday morning. This may become a recurring theme for coach John Hynes' group as the team tries to keep players' legs fresh and bodies rested for the long season. 2. Brian Boyle made his debut at Prudential Center Tuesday. He had made his season debut on the road against the Vancouver Canucks last Wednesday. The 32-year-old forward earned an assist on the opening goal of the game for his first point of the season. It was also the 170th point of Boyle's 628-game career (93g-77a). Tweet from @NJDevils: All smiles for @BriBrows22 @PruCenter debut in front of a hometown crowd! �� pic.twitter.com/l7v3G72qEJ 3. Boyle's night didn't stop there. He led the team in shots on goal going into the second period with four. He finished the night with four of the Devils' 22 shots. 4. Blake Coleman scored the opening goal of the game. His second of the season gave the Devils a 1-0 lead 3:35 into the first period. The goal was his second of the season and only third of his career. John Moore and Boyle assisted on the goal.
Rhythm was hard to find for both teams. Just 36 seconds into the game Nico Hischier took a penalty, and from there New Jersey were handed two other penalties in just the first period. The Blues were handed two penalties of their own, though neither team able to capitalize on the man-advantage in the first frame. In all the Devils went 0 for 4 on the power play and 4 for 5 on the penalty kill. 6. New Jersey is 2-3-1 against the Pacific Division and 3-3-1 against the Western Conference this season. 7. The Devils continue to struggle against the St. Louis Blues. Tuesday's loss was New Jersey's eighth consecutive loss against St. Louis. The last win posted by the Devils over the Blues was Jan. 14, 2014. 8. The Devils suffered their third consecutive loss, the longest winless streak of the season. Their home record drops to 4-3-0. 9. Cory Schneider gave up New Jersey's first goal of the game with 1:03 left in the second period. St. Louis Blues sniper Vladimir Tarasenko made no mistake with his shot from the half circle which beat Schneider cleanly to even the game at 1-1. Schneider stopped 36 of 38 shots on the night. 10. The Devils continue their three-game home stand when they host the Oilers on Thursday night. Florida visits Saturday, before the team hits the road for a matchup with the Blackhawks on Sunday. Tickets for all home games are available.
