In this week's scoring chance update, we will look at just one game for now, due to a lack of time on my part. This week we will look back at last Thursday's game at Boston, one of the more disappointing losses of recent memeory due to how well the team played. Just like in shots and possession, the Devils owned in scoring chances. The numbers were gaudy at even strength, as the Devils doubled up the Bruins, 18-9.
Leading the way at the individual level were Loktionov (+7/-2 +5), Zubrus (+4/-0 +4), Henrique (+4/-1 +3), Gionta (+4/-1 +3), and Clarkson (+7/-4 +3). On the blue line the numbers were also strong. Tallinder (+9/-3 +6) and Zidlicky (+6 /-1 +5) led the way. I noticed some of the defensemen had a better differential than the forwards. I'm not sure if this is an indication that the defense drove play more than usual in this game.
There's really nothing bad to be said about the Devils work in the scoring chance department. The numbers are pretty much what you would expect for this type of game. It's not like the Devils piled up shots from outside not-so-dangerous areas, which they have done at times in the past. They got to dangerous areas of the ice, got the chances they needed, and just couldn't convert.
Please click on the charts for a detailed view.
4.4.13 Devils at Bruins
Can we take some solace in the fact that the scoring chance differential is where it should be? Perhaps if the timing was different we could say things would even out in the long run, but we don't have the time. Instead, we need things to even out in the short run, and the easiest way for that to happen is to keep piling up the scoring chances.
Tonight the Devils will host this same Boston team, and hopefully they can do the same thing they did last game in terms of creating scoring chances.
Thank you all for reading, as always.