NEWARK, N.J. _ With the Anaheim Ducks in a virtual free-fall and the Devils trying to salvage their season, New Jersey's final contest before an extended break, Saturday's game at Prudential Center, was sure to be a hotly-contested battle.
As it turned out, it was a battle of two goalies with the veteran defeating the rookie in the Devils' 3-2 loss.
Mackenzie Blackwood made just 11 saves for New Jersey (18-23-7, 43 points) but John Gibson single-handedly kept the Ducks (21-19-9, 51 points) in the game in the second period when the Devils outshot Anaheim 14-3. They had two power plays in the second period and one late in the third period with 4:56 left to play, but Gibson, who finished with 29 saves, proved influential in the Ducks' penalty-kill efforts.
Coach John Hynes thought the Devils put solid pressure on Gibson but more could have been done at the net.
"Gibson played really well but that's still an area for us we need to get better at," Hynes said. "I thought we did a good job of getting second chances and things but we need to do a better job of getting screens and taking his eyes away and just have stronger sticks in those areas to be able to get the puck in."
Marcus Johansson and Jesper Bratt scored for New Jersey.
After struggling to generate offense in a loss to the Islanders on Thursday, the Devils controlled play most of the game, spending most of the day in the offensive zone. But it was Anaheim who was advantageous, cashing in on the few opportunities they had.
"All four lines were competing and had chances to score," forward Kyle Palmieri said. "Maybe we deserve a little better, but it's a tough league to win in and I think Gibson did a good job of making the first stop and they did a good job of clearing the rebounds."
Derek Grant made it 3-1 just 5:11 into the third but the Devils pulled within one with just 55 seconds left when Bratt, who had all the time and space in the world, ripped one past Gibson. The Devils then called a timeout but ran out of time in the end, ending the pre-All-Star portion of their season with their third straight loss.
Johansson scored on the Devils' first shot of the game at 6:50, splitting two defensemen and beating Gibson with his backhand for his first goal since the last time the Devils faced Anaheim back on Dec. 9 in California.
But the ice quickly tilted in the direction of the Ducks.
Former Devil Adam Henrique set up Nick Ritchie for a shot that rebounded right to Daniel Sprong in the slot at 9:10. New Jersey challenged the goal, saying Henrique was offsides, but lost the challenge, resulting in a power play for Anaheim.
With Devin Shore screening Blackwood, Ducks' top prospect Troy Terry sniped one home 1:28 later for his first NHL goal.
"It's not so much taking a chance, it's trying to make the right decision and that one was not," Hynes said. "I think when you have a strong penalty kill, you expect to be able to kill out of it, but that does not factor into the decision to make that call."
Hynes implored his team to play a more competitive, gritty game and they didn't back down a physical contest. There were casualties with a handful of players receiving treatment on both benches and one fight between Nathan Bastian and Josh Manson.
The Devils will now have a week to recover as they get a bye before the All-Star Break. New Jersey will resume play after the NHL All-Star Game on Jan. 28 in Pittsburgh, against the Penguins.
"We need to fix our game from inside here," captain Andy Greene said. "Everyone can do three, four or five percent better and if that happens throughout the lineup then obviously we're a much better team. I think it's a good time to self-reflect on the first half and come in here fresh mentally and physically, then be ready to go there when we play Pittsburgh."
