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The New Jersey Devils’ franchise-record profitable streak is over. After gathering 13 straight victories, tied for the fifth-longest streak in NHL historical past, the Devils noticed their unbelievable run snapped by the Toronto Maple Leafs on the Prudential Center on Wednesday.
Toronto scored two targets within the recreation’s first quarter-hour — one from Pontus Holmberg and one other from John Tavares — earlier than the sport become a defensive stalemate, with New Jersey failing to reply till a aim from Dougie Hamilton at 14:52 within the third interval. The Hamilton aim turned out to be all of the Devils had, as they misplaced 2-1 the night time earlier than Thanksgiving.
Though the Devils struggled to make a mark on the scoreboard, it wasn’t from a scarcity of effort. Not one, not two, however three of their targets had been disallowed, main followers to precise their displeasure with the officiating by throwing beer onto the ice.
New Jersey was seeking to win its 14th straight recreation, which might’ve been the longest streak in franchise historical past. The crew has solely received 13 in a row one different time, and that was in 2001.
Wednesday’s loss marked the Devils’ first since Oct. 24, when the Capitals beat them 6-3. They proceeded to go on a run few, if any, anticipated, profitable 13 in a row — together with six video games over two Canada highway journeys — with a 56-24 aim differential. The exceptional streak helped New Jersey begin the season 16-3, simply behind the Bruins (17-2) for the second-best report within the NHL.
The prime of the NHL standings has been unfamiliar territory for the Devils over the previous couple of years. New Jersey final made the playoffs in 2017-18, and each season since they completed both final or second to final within the Metropolitan Division.
Regardless of the profitable streak ending, coach Lindy Ruff must be an early candidate for the Jack Adams Award due to his crew’s large turnaround and the event of younger, burgeoning stars Nico Hischier and Jack Hughes.
