New Jersey Devils’ Struggles Continue with Embarrassing 9-0 Loss to New York Islanders
The New Jersey Devils, who started the season with a scorching 8-1 record, are now searching for answers after a puzzling 9-0 loss to their rival New York Islanders on Tuesday night at UBS Arena. This loss marks the Devils’ second consecutive defeat and fourth in six games, leaving them behind the Eastern Conference playoff cut line.
According to Devils captain Nico Hischier, “Giving up nine, that’s flat-out embarrassing. We’ve got to rinse this as quick as possible and I’m in charge of that.” Hischier expressed his expectation for himself and his team to have a big response game, emphasizing the need for a turnaround. The Devils’ recent struggles have been a surprise, given their strong start to the season, which saw them in first place in the Metropolitan Division in October.
Jack Hughes’ Return and Goaltending Woes
The Devils recently welcomed back their best player, Jack Hughes, who returned on December 21 after sitting out for over a month due to finger surgery. However, his return has not yet translated to improved standings. On Tuesday, despite outshooting the Islanders 44-24, including 15-7 in the first period, veteran goaltender Jacob Markstrom struggled to keep the puck out of the net. Markstrom gave up goals on the first two shots he faced and three on five, finishing with nine goals allowed on 24 shots.
Markstrom took responsibility for the loss, stating, “We want to apologize to the Devils fans. I’ve got to be better… I’m embarrassed of myself. Not good enough. I’ve got to be better.” The Devils’ coach, Sheldon Keefe, chose to keep Markstrom in the game despite his struggles, citing Markstrom’s previous strong performances and the need for him to “own it” and battle through the rest of the game.
Consequences and Next Steps
The Devils’ loss has significant consequences, as they now find themselves with only three teams below them in the Eastern Conference: the New York Rangers, Ottawa Senators, and Columbus Blue Jackets. The team will look to bounce back on Thursday night when they visit the Pittsburgh Penguins. As the Devils strive to regain their footing, they will need to address their goaltending issues and find a way to capitalize on their scoring opportunities.
According to the Associated Press, the Devils’ struggles are a far cry from their strong start to the season. With their playoff hopes hanging in the balance, the team will need to regroup and refocus to make a push for the postseason. As Hischier emphasized, the Devils need to “rinse” this loss and move forward, and with their next game just around the corner, they will have the opportunity to do just that.
