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Embarrassing.
That's the first word that comes to mind when thinking about last night's game between the Devils and the Ducks.
Coming off one of their better games of the season against LA, the Devils came out completely flat and were dominated for 60 minutes by Anaheim.
The Devils generated just six shots through two periods and allowed more goals (2) than they had shots (1) in the 2nd frame.
Ilya Bryzgalov is average at best, and the Devils didn't test him at all. If he didn't allow a fluky goal in the 1st period the Devils would have been blanked all together.
If the Devils were embracing a rebuild and playing youth this would be acceptable, as there is growing pains with development, but this is a whole different animal considering half the team is still talking about making the playoffs.
Eric Gelinas, who could potentially be a top-4 guy down the road, was a healthy scratch while Pete Harrold - who was once again tossed around like a football - and Mark Fraser dressed once again.
Patrik Elias, Travis Zajac and Martin Havlat were the only three players that weren't in the red in terms of possession, and the team left Keith Kinkaid completely out to dry after he replaced an injured Cory Schneider.
Joe Whitney - who may or may not be an NHL player - continues to play 6-7 minutes a night on a line with no skill players and Jacob Josefson (one of two regulars up front under 28 years old) sits as a healthy scratch while Dainius Zubrus and Michael Ryder play 17-18 minutes a night.
The best thing the Devils have going for them right now is a high draft pick, because they don't have much youth in the system, and are hesitant to play what they do have.
If I'm Lou Lamoriello, I look to move Marek Zidlicky, Jaromir Jagr, and any other veterans with value, for young assets and draft picks, because the Devils aren't going anywhere until they tear it down.
Recent posts
On the signing of Joseph Blandisi
The Marek Zidlicky Effect
The Jaromir Jagr Effect
Patrik Elias an all-star + prospect updates
Sergei Bobrovsky is worth the money
Checking in on last year's draft class
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