Penguins an Easy Mark(strom), No Match for the Devils

In keeping with last night’s low-event Metro clash with the Devils at the Prudential Center, this will be a low-event recap.

The Penguins held their own during the first period of what ultimately became a 3-0 loss, dictating play with an aggressive forecheck while limiting the Devils to only four shots on goal. We nearly snagged the lead on the second shift when Evgeni Malkin steamed in on a breakaway, only to have the puck roll off his stick blade on the choppy ice.

As they say, hockey is a game of inches…and bounces.

Following the scoreless opening frame, the Devils shifted into gear while for the most part we remained stuck in neutral. They proceeded to pile up a whopping 24-7 edge in shots on goal over the final 40 minutes.

Still, Sidney Crosby had Jacob Markstrom at his mercy during the second period, but the big goalie got enough of Sid’s ensuing shot to direct it harmlessly off the post.

Ex-Pen Stefan Noesen broke the scoreless tie at 17:32 of the frame, banging home a net-front feed from Nico Hischier.

Noesen would factor in mightily on the Devils’ second goal as well. While he engaged Pens’ d-man Ryan Shea in a furious side-of-the-cage battle, the puck squirted lose to Hischier for an easy tap-in at 7:47 of the third period. Aided and abetted by Cody Glass (fishing for the puck) and Matt Grzelcyk (tripod imitation).

Timo Meier potted an empty-netter at 18:27 to close out the proceedings.

Well, not quite. Having absorbed a net-front mugging from Jonas Siegenthaler just prior to the goal, Michael Bunting struck back at his antagonist. Earning both a 10-minute misconduct and first dibs on the hot water.

This ‘n’ ‘At

Rookie defenseman Owen Pickering, who absorbed a hard hit from Devils forward Paul Cotter, didn’t return after being skirted by Hischier on the Devils’ first goal. He suffered an upper-body injury.

Grzelcyk appeared to be injured as well and briefly departed before returning. Gryz’s four-game point streak was snapped.

Another, more dubious, streak of sorts ended. Tristan Jarry didn’t allow an early goal for the first time in recent memory. Tristan stopped 25 of 27 shots and acquitted himself well while keeping us within striking distance.

P-O Joseph returned to the lineup, replacing ex-Devil and press-box nachos connoisseur Ryan Graves. POJ was even in 18:49 of ice time, with one hit and three giveaways, tied for the most among our defensemen with Grzelcyk and Kris Letang.

Could we at least try Jesse Puljujärvi in place of Matt Nieto?

Power Outage

Noesen’s performance hammered home (literally) the value of having guys who employ a power/physical game. The 6’1” 205-pounder was directly responsible for both Devils’ goals.

For the record, I suggested we sign Noesen this past summer. All he’s done is pop 15 goals (and counting) at an ultra-reasonable cap hit of $2.75 million per.

Think we couldn’t use a player of his ilk?

I’m tired beyond tired of the fact that we won’t employ a true power forward. Organizationally, we’ll tip-toe up to the line with “gritty” types like Bunting, but Heaven forbid we cross it.

Same goes for a bona fide physical defenseman.

Think guys like Siegenthaler don’t play a little bigger and taller knowing Brenden Dillon has their back? Or if push comes to shove, heavyweight Kurtis MacDermid?

The defending Cup champion Panthers clearly demonstrated the value of blending aggression, physicality and skill. A quick glance at their roster says it all. Sam Bennett, Matthew Tkachuk, A.J. Greer and Jonah Gadjovich up front and Niko Mikkola and Aaron Ekblad on the back end.

What I wouldn’t give to have one or two players like that.

Sadly, we never will.

As a commenter on another site so aptly noted, nothing but string beans and midgets for us.