In a game featuring two teams battling COVID-19, short rosters and each other, it was the stars that would shine for Detroit in a 5-2 victory against New Jersey Saturday night at Little Caesars Arena.
Dylan Larkin recorded his first-career hat trick, and added an assist, to lead the Wings. Tyler Bertuzzi recorded the other two goals for Detroit.
The Devils received goals from Michael McLeod and Dawson Mercer.
"It's brutal. It's frustrating. COVID. We're missing guys. We're losing. Everything that could go wrong seems to be right now," defenseman Damon Severson said. "We have to nip it in the bud right now because it's going to keep coming back and we're going to keep losing if we don't dial it in."
Devils Lose, 5-2, in Detroit | GAME STORY
Dylan Larkin's first-career hat trick powers the Red Wings to victory
© Dave Reginek/Getty Images
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The Devils return home to host the Pittsburgh Penguins on the second half of back-to-back nights. The game can be seen on MSG+ and heard on the Devils Hockey Network, including right here at NewJerseyDevils.com. Puck drop is 7:08 p.m. ET.
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Here are some observations from the game...
- There's no getting around it. The Devils are a bruised and battered team. They were missing 10 players from the lineup tonight with the late scratch of forward Jesper Bratt (non-COVID related illness). He joins a list that includes captain Nico Hischier, Ryan Graves, Jesper Boqvist and Christian Jaros (COVID-19 protocol), their top two goaltenders in Mackenzie Blackwood (neck) and Jonathan Bernier (hip), as well as injuries to Tyce Thompson and Miles Wood.
A COVID surge in Utica (AHL) means that the Devils couldn't recall any players to supplement their lineup. Therefore, the Devils were forced to play with only 11 forwards.
Not only were they playing down a man, but they're also missing many key players and components form their lineup. They were facing a hefty challenge. That isn't to make excuses. It's just stating the reality of the situation. The Red Wings are dealing with the same issue and also played with one less skater.
Detroit's best players showed up and made a difference. And that was the difference in the game.
"That was the difference," head coach Lindy Ruff said. "Their top guys were better than our top guys. ... Our top guys have to be harder to play against."
- The Devils are in a very precarious position in goal. They entered the season thinking they had solved their problems in the crease with the signing of Bernier and his pairing with Blackwood. It was the healthy 1a-1b combination that they have been searching for.
But Bernier is out indefinitely with a hip injury, an issue that has plagued him all season long. And now Blackwood is out of the lineup (listed as day-to-day) with a neck injury. Even rookie goaltender Nico Daws is out with an injury. So, the top three goalies in the system are down. Thus, the Devils have turned to 21-year-old rookie Akira Schmid and recently acquired Jon Gillies, who has played 13 career NHL games.
It is not an ideal circumstance to say the least. The team's depth is stretched beyond capacity. For the time being, the team will rely on Schmid and Gillies. It's a daunting task for those men to say the least.
When Gillies makes his Devils debut, which is possible Sunday night against Pittsburgh, he'll be the sixth goalie to play for the team this season, tying a franchise record for most games played by different netminders. And it's not even January.
- With the Devils current circumstances in goal (and in the health department), they really needed to play a smart, sound game. They pretty much did that in the first period and third periods. However, some breakdowns in the second resulted in goals against. With New Jersey's lack of finish right now, the margin of error is nonexistent. One mistake could be the difference between winning and losing. And that was the case against Detroit. The Devils need to play a perfect game just to give themselves any hope of victory.
"The same things happen to our club over and over, ill-advised mistakes that turn into goals against. Careless decisions with the puck that turn into goals against," Ruff said. "All that's on me. That's my responsibility. The way this team plays is my responsibility."
- It was great seeing Michael McLeod score his first goal with a goaltender in net this season. It was a knuckle ball changeup that fooled goalie Thomas Greiss. But McLeod also started a fight (though technically roughing penalties were assessed) with Filip Hronek after New Jersey fell behind 4-1. He was showing some life and care. That's exactly what you want from him and he delivered. - Devils defenseman Damon Severson played a game-high 28:59 minutes while his partner Jonas Siegenthaler logged 26:46. "We're shorthanded right now so I'm doing whatever I can to help the team win," Severson said. "I want to be out there helping the guys. I want to be one of the catalyst in helping us get out of this thing."
