Devils Three-Game Winning Streak Comes to End in 1-0 Loss to Red Wings

Adam Henrique of the Devils is checked by Henrik Zetterberg of the Red Wings. Photo Credit: Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

EAST HANOVER, NJ – The New Jersey Devils fired 22 shots on Red Wings goaltender Petr Mrazek, but could not get find a way to get the puck past him. They gave up only one goal midway through the first, but it was enough to snap their three-game winning streak in a 1-0 loss on Monday night at the Prudential Center.

Sometimes the best chances in a hockey game come early, and for the Devils (20-15-5), they could not convert on a golden opportunity that could have given them a one goal advantage before the first minute of play in the opening frame

Off a change, Jon Moore fired a pass to the tape of Travis Zajac who was streaking toward the opposition’s net. He attempted to pull the puck to his backhand, but Mrazek made a nice poke check to deny what would be New Jersey’s best chance all evening.

Just a few minutes later, the Red Wings (20-13-7) would take advantage of their gift wrapped opening.

Brad Richards lasered a pass to Dylan Larkin, who had gotten behind the Devils defense, and he made a nice deke to beat goaltender Corey Schneider for what ended up being the game winner.

The Devils continued to pepper Mrazek and the Red Wings defense, but failed to register many more quality chances. The Red Wings blocked 15 shots through 60 minutes; nine of those came in the second period.

“It was a good effort. I thought we played well,”. One mistake costs us and that sometimes happen,” Travis Zajac said after the game. “We had some good looks… just couldn’t find a way to get that one to break through,” he added.

Bobby Farnham had a chance from the right slot midway through the the second, but he fired it off the outside of the post. Kyle Palmieri also got an open look when they were on the power-play in the third period, but just missed the net.

“We played well throughout the game. The third period, we got to find a way to get better, get more pressure,” Devils forward Adam Henrique said.

“The first couple of periods were good, then the third period, we just didn’t have enough push.”

New Jersey had only five shots on goal in the third. Schneider did all he could to ward off the talented Detroit forwards through much of the contest, but his efforts were for naught. He finished with 20 saves on the evening

Another displeasing stat was the Devil’s 0-2 power-play effort. They failed to register a single shot through four minutes of being on the man advantage.

Mike Cammalleri, who leads the Devils in points with 35, sat out his second consecutive game with an upper body injury.

The team will look to put together a new streak, starting when they travel to Montreal to take on the Canadiens at the Bell Centre on Wednesday night at 7 p.m.