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A Memento Of Moments Of Momentous Momentum |
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Momentum;
noun (muh-MEN-tuhm)
the quantity of motion of a moving body, measured as a product of its mass and velocity.
The word above is one of the most important factors in the game of hockey. Gaining and maintaining positive momentum along with limiting that of the opponent is how winning hockey teams succeed consistently. The consistently, inconsistent Devils simply do not respect obtaining and maintaining their momentum, nor preventing that if their opponent.
How many times have the Devils scored a goal or two and immediately surrender a goal or two? How many times have the Devils drawn a power play, only to take a penalty of their own just seconds later? How many times have the Devils earned a great win and immediately follow it up with a bad loss? This rollercoaster of a season is testament to that, and Wednesday was no different.
After taking a rare two goal first period lead, the Devils had positive momentum on Wednesday night in Chicago. I sat back, let out an exhale and felt some relief. Just like that, another bad penalty at a bad time by NJ. That easy, game in the bag, smooth sailing, cruise to a win feeling lasted just 129 seconds. An unnecessary neutral zone penalty by Simon Nemec surrendered the momentum that Jersey has seldom held this season. Just seven seconds after that penalty, Chicago scored, and all of a sudden momentum was theirs as the crowd awoke, the Blackhawks fed off the energy, and the Devils conversely fell back on their heels.
While the momentum in this game would be given back and forth over sixty minutes, it was the Devils that would hold it at the final buzzer. A late, third period, empty net goal by Stefan Noesen was the seventh and final change of momentum, giving NJ two much needed points in the standings.
With just nine games remaining in the regular season, if Sheldon Keefe’s team wants to make any noise in the postseason, they’ll need to figure out the obtaining, maintaining and regaining of hockey’s most important force, momentum…
Hey Siri, play “Glory Days” by Bruce Springsteen…
Game Notes:
Depth Scoring!?
Great to see some depth scoring as Dawson Mercer(one of his most impactful games in a while), Nate Bastian, Ondrej Palat and Stefan “Effin’” Noesen all scored. Depth scoring always helps with MOMENTUM!
Future HOFer Luke Hughes
The above is how we shall refer to 43 in black and red from now on. While I know he still makes some mistakes, this kid has it all.
Luuuuuuuuuke is playing big boy minutes in all situations of the game, not only excelling but driving play for the Devils in brother Jack’s absence. The youngest Hughes brother has been getting better by the game since he entered the league and sky is the limit. His seemingly effortless skating, evolution of his defensive and offensive awareness and will to make something out of nothing has been very impressive. Oh yeah, he’s also a major reason why Quinn will be here in the near future!
Winnipeg Next
Up next for NJ is the league leading Jets. Winnipeg has been a wagon all season long, but March has been rather up and down. Winning seven of their twelve games in the month, let’s see if the Devils can get a big win and gain…MOMENTUM against what may be a complacent Jets club.
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