After coming off two heartbreaking losses the Devils welcomed the Oilers to the Rock. The Devils came into the match-up looking to shake things up and pick up four critical points before the Olympic break. Coach Pete Deboer planned to shake up his lines in hopes of producing some offense for his hot goaltender Cory Schneider. Early in the week Jaromir Jagr voiced his displeasure with the new line formations, but after Deboer explained his game plan Jagr later back his coach.
The Oilers came out and tried to impose their open style of play on the Devils. Playing an open style of hockey, the Oilers succeeded in creating chances early on in the first before the Devils adjusted and begin to play their game. Coach Deboer’s newly shuffled lines showed early dividends when Andrei Loktionov scored his fourth goal of the year at 11:01 of the first, from Jagr and Salvador. Not giving the Devils fans a chance to enjoy the goal and before the PA announcer could read off the stats for the goal, the Oilers tied the game up just 29 seconds later. Taylor Hall netted his 20th of the year from Nail Yakupov and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins.
After a scoreless second where the Devils began to impose their style of play on the game, the third period felt reminiscent of the past three games. The Devils came out playing well and created scoring opportunities but failed to score and left the Oilers in the game. When time was winding down one couldn’t help but let the fresh memories of the past three games come to mind, “would the Devils give up another last minute goal?” Cory Schneider continued his hot play and held the Oilers to just the one goal and secure the one point for the Devils.
Going into overtime the Devils looked to pick up the crucial second point. Based on the type of play the Oilers like to impose, the extra space overtime allows seemed to benefit them. However solid defensive plays allowed the Devils to take advantage of the one scoring chance they received in overtime. While play was held up on the near boards Michael Ryder found a wide open John Merrill, who scored his first NHL goal to propel the Devils to victory.
Mike Panus: PureSportsNY