Devils Routed by Avalanche in 4-0 Loss

Published: Sunday, December 8, 2024

by Ryan Nelke

NEWARK, N.J. – The New Jersey Devils (18-10-2) were blanked by the Colorado Avalanche (16-13-0) 4-0 on Sunday night, as this was the fifth time the Devils have been shut out in just over a month. 

The Devils got out to a quick start over the first few minutes with several chances from the point and up close, but ultimately it was Colorado who drew first blood with Ross Colton’s ninth goal of the year.

Several minutes later, New Jersey seemed to have tied it up right in front of the net. However, it was quickly waived off, as it was knocked in by a high stick from Jesper Bratt.

The Devils continued applying pressure and once again appeared to have tied the game up after an official review, with the replay clearly showing the puck going into the back of the net. Yet the call on the ice of no goal stood.  

Despite the Devils seemingly controlling the period, the scoreboard said otherwise, as the Avalanche made it 2-0 with Logan O’Connor tallying his fourth of the season.

New Jersey got a chance to cut into Colorado’s two-goal lead with Sam Malinski going to the box for an interference minor, but failed to capitalize on multiple top-notch scoring chances.  Shortly after the end of the power play, the period came to a close with the Avs leading 2-0.

Less than five minutes into the second period of the play, Nathan MacKinnon came inches from widening Colorado’s lead to three, but rang it off the left crossbar, keeping the Devils still within striking range.  Five minutes later, the Avs got another prime opportunity to extend their lead with Ross Colton on a breakaway, but he missed the net.

In a period dominated by the Avs, the onslaught continued when Artturi Lehkonen found himself all alone and expanded the lead to three on a breakaway goal.  It was his seventh goal of the season.

Colorado had a chance to essentially put the game away when they were given a power play as result of a Stefan Noesen hooking penalty, but New Jersey killed it off.  Right after, Valeri Nichushkin found open space at the end of the man advantage, but was denied by Jake Allen.  The third period would soon come to a close with resounding boos from the home crowd, as the Avalanche led 3-0.

Bratt got loose less than a minute into the period, and while he couldn’t notch the Devils first goal of the game, New Jersey was sent to the power play as Bratt was held by the trailing Sam Girard.  However, the Devils were still unable to score.

New Jersey emptied their net with just over six minutes to go, hoping for some sort of spark, but this did not help as Parker Kelly would find the empty net a couple of minutes later, making it 4-0.

In a story that many Devils fans have seen before, New Jersey was once again dominated by a former player; Scott Wedgewood stopped every single shot sent his way, earning him his first shutout of the year.

The Devils will return to action Tuesday at home against the Kings, while the Avalanche will finish up their road trip in Pittsburgh.

Ryan Nelke can be reached at ryan.nelke@student.shu.edu. 

 

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