Devils Fall Apart in the 3rd, Get Beaten By Phoenix Coyotes 4-3

by Steve Lepore on Jan 15, 2010 12:24 AM EST in Devils Games Comment 15 comments

Phoenix Coyotes' Peter Mueller (88) scores a goal against the New Jersey Devils' Martin Brodeur (30) in the first period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Jan. 14, 2010, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

about 1 month ago: Phoenix Coyotes' Peter Mueller (88) scores a goal against the New Jersey Devils' Martin Brodeur (30) in the first period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Jan. 14, 2010, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

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Well, all of us here in Devils Legion knew it'd be hard to match the intensity of Tuesday night's game against the Rangers, and while the Devils thoroughly outplayed the Coyotes during segments of this game, they didn't seem to have the urgency in them that the homestanding Phoenix Coyotes did, as the Yotes beat New Jersey by a score of 4-3 in Glendale tonight. With Buffalo winning, the Devils now have only a two point lead in the Eastern Conference, and with the Penguins winning their game 3-2, the Devils lead in the Atlantic Division is down to four points.

Before we move on, it should be noted that you can check out NHL.com for a complete recap, along with a box score and the ultimate source for statistics you can find on the web. Throughout the night, the folks running Five For Howling certainly seemed pleased with the Coyotes performance, so do check out that site for the entire scoop from Phoenix.

First, if you haven't seen the game or it went too late for you last night, here are the highlights, courtesy of NHL.com:

As was mentioned, the Devils were likely not as urgent as the Coyotes, but they were outshooting them and outchancing them. New Jersey outshot Phoenix 34-19, including an astounding 11-1 in the 2nd period, but the Yotes made their chances count, and managed to put four behind Marty Brodeur, who probably shouldn't have played - in my opinion - just as it'd be too difficult to come down from the performance at The Garden with the same intensity in front of the 9,400 who showed up at the Jobing.com Arena. But Marty did play, and was fairly average - except for a couple of great saves - not stopping the few major chances the Yotes had.

You can't blame Broduer for the Coyotes first goal, though. Keith Yandle took a drop pass into the zone and just fired a shot on goal. The puck took a wild redirect off of Matthew Lombardi, apparently, and past Brodeur to make it 1-0 Phoenix. They'd strike again later in the frame when Peter Mueller broke in alone behind the defense. Marty went down, and Mueller went high for what looked to be one of the easier goals you'll ever see. Phoenix had a 2-0 lead after 20.

The Devils did play well in the second, however, and a lot of the credit goes to Brian Rolston, who had one of his best games in recent memory. On a turnover by the Coyotes and a bouncing puck, Rod Pelley found a streaking Rolston into the Phoenix zone, and got the puck to him on a great feed. Rolston made no mistake, beating the mostly superb Ilya Bryzgalov to make it 2-1 Coyotes at 9:31.

Less than five minutes later, New Jersey would strike once more. After some typical dogged work by the Parise/Zajac combo, Zajac was able to force a loose puck in the deep slot. Credit the development of Zajac, as in prior years he might have looked to pass the puck, but Zajac ripped it right there and past the Phoenix keeper Bryzgalov to give Zajac his 13th and tie the game at two, where it'd stay for a little while, and at the end of the second period.

Midway through the third, unfortunately, the Devils had a brief but fatal breakdown. A quick centering pass found a briefly open Daniel Winnik in front with Mark Fraser, and the two's battling sticks managed to get the puck past Marty to make it 3-2. That would've been bad enough, but Fraser managed to high stick Winnik just as he fired the puck, and he was penalized (Fraser's second penalty of the period). On the power play, Zbynek Michalek ripped a slap shot by a screened Brodeur to put the Devils down by two with 6:52 left in the game.

The Devils, admirably, did not give up from that point. A Brian Rolston slapper found the back of the net for his second of the game with 4:44 to go to make it 4-3. Rolston, all of a sudden, has 15 on the campaign. The Devils couldn't seem to get it together to tie it up, despite Brodeur making a game saving stop on Petr Prucha to keep it close late. The Devs fell to Phoenix, and will need to pick their game back up against Colorado (Saturday at 3PM ET) to even up their record on this now four-game road trip.

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Its difficult to win them all. I understand that fact, especially with such a heavy load of games lately. But I can’t help feeling that Mark Fraser threw this game out for us. That double whammy of essentially scoing on his own net while also landing a penalty that ultimately led to the game winning goal, those were the difference makers and typical rookie mistakes that costs teams’ games. I’m not saying necessarily to place all the blame on Mark; however, I do feel that this just further highlights our #1 priority of a top 4 defensemen going into the trade deadline.

"We aim above the mark to hit the mark." -- Ralph Waldo Emerson

by Tim G on Jan 15, 2010 8:49 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Exactly

Hopefully the Devils land a deal to get Niedermayer back around the same time paul martin recovers.
It was a bummer to see the two goal come back thrown out the window due to one players wreckless playing

by WWZPD on Jan 15, 2010 9:25 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I can’t see how you can pin that on Fraser at all. He made the play right, but the Coyote played it better.

That he took the penalty was a bit bogus in my mind. Fraser was just following through on his clearing attempt and Winnick had his stick under his so it rode right up it and into his face, but rules are rules and a stick to the face is a penalty. Had he not drawn blood, it would have washed.

If there is blame it should go to White for letting the pass come out in the first place. Not to mention his whiff on the pinch in that led to the breakaway goal (which Marty should have had).

Or, realistically, to the entire team for only playing 20 minutes of hockey.

by elesias on Jan 15, 2010 12:04 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Not that it really matters at this point I guess.

But I don’t necessarily agree with you. The blade of Fraser’s stick was facing Brodeur’s net. Even if Winnik wasn’t there to push in Fraser’s stick, it could have easily ended up in the net off of Fraser’s stick because the blade was literally directed towards the net. Mark would have been better off facing Winnik with his back to Marty as opposed to being side by side with Winnik. If he were to do this, he would have been able to either take the body first, or at least redirect the pass away from the net. Again, this is a rookie mistake and Fraser has performed excellently with the Devils throughout the season. But this ultimately cost us the game.And I agree; if he didn’t draw blood on the penalty, there wouldn’t have been one.

"We aim above the mark to hit the mark." -- Ralph Waldo Emerson

by Tim G on Jan 15, 2010 1:20 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

It could have, but I think he had control of it and it wouldn’t have. Check out 4:40 of the video above. He catches it on his stick and appears to make a move to clear it, but Winnik knocks it in. It’s a play we see the Devils defenders frequently make, but this one didn’t go to plan.

He might have been better off facing outward, but he was in position at the far side of the net like he should have been. The pass/shot came out of nowhere and Winnik crashed at the exact right second.

I’m not saying Fraser is perfect or anything. He makes his share of mistakes (though he makes less than you might expect out of a rookie), but I honestly don’t think this one is on him. As the play happened so quickly, I don’t think he could have reacted any better or differently. The Coyote player just made a better play.

by elesias on Jan 15, 2010 1:30 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

If you closely look at the play from the start of the faceoff, you can understand what Fraser was doing and what he did wrong.

Fraser spots Winnik coming to the net behind him as soon as Korpikoski passes to Fiddler in the corner. Fraser had the passing lane covered for Korp but doesn’t really move once the pass was made. Fiddler made a quick pass/shot through the slot, and Fraser didn’t square up on Winnik. You can tell this because look how extended Fraser looks. Had he squared up, he would shot that puck straight back at the corner. Had he played Winnik’s stick (which he did after the goal and resulted in the Penalty), the puck would have gone through the slot.

It was a quick play off a faceoff on the opposite side. You can call it a “bang-bang” play but the fact is Fraser made an error. He’s responsible for the man going to the net and failed.

Overall the Defense wasn’t good all night (minus the 2nd period obviously). Mottau and Salvador were caught staring on the first goal and failed to cover the men at the net. White hesitated on the faceoff that led to the breakaway. And Mottau and Oduya were like poles in the Ice on the screened goal on the PP. These little mistakes can cause quality chances and that’s why the Devils lost.

by njdNYG'cuse on Jan 15, 2010 2:08 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

It’s really just splitting hairs at this point, but I disagree.

If you pause the video above at ~4:26, he’s in position. He’s between the Coyote and the puck with his stick on the ice to knock away the pass he knows might be coming.

He wasn’t overly extended, he got the puck right on his stick (otherwise it would have been right on Winnik’s), but Winnik made a great play to push Fraser’s stick before he could do anything with it.

Sometimes I think it’s not about the defenseman making an error so much as it is the forward making a good play despite it being defensed correctly. I think this is one of those cases.

I’m with you about the D though. And it wasn’t just last night… it’s become a disturbing trend recently: too many shots allowed, too much time chasing the oppositions forecheck, too many weak clearing attempts when they finally do get the puck and too many poor passes in the NZ.

by elesias on Jan 15, 2010 2:28 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Agree to disagree. haha. I just feel that the position he was in didn’t match what his actions were against what they should have been. You’re right, Winnik did make a great play. Those little things can win/lose you a game. That’s why I love hockey.
Follow up on what you said about the D: The last few games, the D has had a lot of trouble breaking out and it’s leading to bad decisions in the neutral zone. Even on the PP last night, how many times did they have to regroup behind Marty after a little pressure? They wasted almost a full minute trying to set it up on one PP. Maybe its the just the teams we are playing? They (Rangers and Coyotes) play similar hockey to the Devils.

I’m also a little surprised with Lemaire’s comments after the game. He thought they played a great game and saw no problems except the PP, and his problem was more executing while in the zone then trying to get into the zone. I don’t know if he watched the replay of the game, but if this is a little ‘slump’ for the Devils, a 2-2 record isn’t that bad. Another reason they are having a great season.

by njdNYG'cuse on Jan 15, 2010 3:41 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I don’t see how a nightmare of a shift from the #6 defenseman (Fraser) highlights the need for a top 4 defenseman. I mean, a top 4 defenseman would move someone else to replace Fraser’s spot; so I understand the practical effect. Yet, I wouldn’t use that as an argument.

With respect to the conversation above/below regarding Fraser on the play. He was in the right position on Winnick, but made the wrong decision on what to do. He attempted to intercept the pass. Now, Fraser did that, but Winnick hit Fraser’s stick, which directed it past Brodeur’s right flank. What I think Fraser should have done was lift Winnick’s stick instead. This way the puck either sails through the crease or stops on a skate. Even if it takes an angled re-direction, the goal wouldn’t be on Fraser’s stick.

Of course, Fraser raised his stick after the play for some reason striking Winnick in the face. That was totally unnecessary and easily avoidable, in my opinion. Not that he alone was responsible for the PPG against, but that he took the penalty to begin with meant he had a part in.

Overall, I feel like this is a little similar to the recent Tampa Bay game. While the Devils struggled early with Phoenix’ defense, they eventually cracked them, got more shots in the slot, and did what you would want the Devils to do. They had the puck more often, they took more shots and challenged Bryzgalov well, the defense did quite well in holding Phoenix to less than 20 shots. The Devils’ PP was the only true and consistent disappointment outside of the result. The goals against were – like the Tampa Bay game – from high quality chances (so don’t tell me how Danis should have been in net, he wasn’t stopping those shots either). Like the Tampa Bay game, the defense could have done better, namely Colin White not letting that puck bounce after the faceoff en route to Phoenix’s second goal and, of course, Mark Fraser’s double negative in the third period.

Unlike the Tampa Bay game, the Devils battled back from the first two and nearly came back at the end. That’s something. All the same, it’s time to look ahead.

It sucks.

Devils in my heart! Devils in my mind! Devils in my eyes! Devils until I die!
In Lou We Trust - The Devils SBN Blog

by John Fischer on Jan 15, 2010 5:04 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I don’t know who the player was (Lang maybe?), but did anyone else catch the Coyote who was literally straddling the dot when he took face-offs? I found it odd that the refs allowed that.

by elesias on Jan 15, 2010 12:07 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I am glad the coach does not feel the same about Fraser.

Fraser made a mistake so what. Look at the kids overall season and he has done a good job filling in. He is going to make mistakes thats growing pains and a learning experience. Johnny Oduya is not playing as well as last year but he is still a good defenseman. Maybe he is not 100 percent back from his injury yet. The devils lost a game I do not expect them to win every game so I will wait to see how they respond in their next game which I will be at. Leaving for Denver to go see my Devils tomorrow I cannot wait. Now if they lose tomorrow while I am there then I might critisize them but I doubt it…

Donald Vasquez

by don_vas on Jan 15, 2010 5:38 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Brodeur needed a breather after rangers game

Rookie make mistakes, White plays at average level – happens almost every game, nothing new about it. This game in PHX though shows exactly where the problem is – Brodeur has to get more resting time. At least one game a week should be played by backup goalie. Instead of facing Colorado on Saturday with a win and rested goalie we have a loss and worn-out future HOF. Let’s wake up and give Yann more playing time.
LET’S GO DEVILS!!

by Voice from NJ on Jan 15, 2010 6:12 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

This game in PHX though shows exactly where the problem is – Brodeur has to get more resting time. At least one game a week should be played by backup goalie.

No it doesn’t. How was the Phoenix game proof of fatigue? If giving up several goals in a game is a sign of being tired, does that mean Vesa Toskala has been sleep deprived for much of the season?

Devils in my heart! Devils in my mind! Devils in my eyes! Devils until I die!
In Lou We Trust - The Devils SBN Blog

by John Fischer on Jan 15, 2010 6:14 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs