What really should be a conference final matchup is just a second round one, thanks to the divisional format. Before this series began, everyone predicted a long, dragged out series between the Devils and Marlies.
And if the first two games…a split at Ricoh Coliseum before shifting to Albany for the next 3…are any indication, we may be in for a long one.
Game 1, 5/4: Albany 2, Toronto 1
The series kicked off on Wednesday north of the border, with just one lineup change from the previous week: Paul Thompson was back in, with Pierre-Luc Leblond sitting out. The Devils found themselves short a player early on when Jim O’Brien had to leave the game in the early moments due to injury, shaking up the 11 forward lineup. But it didn’t appear to be an issue nearly midway through the first period…Brian O’Neill, on the first power play chance of the game, would score his first of the postseason to give Albany a 1-0 lead. Toronto would answer fairly quickly, as a Connor Carrick shot found its way past Scott Wedgewood just over a minute later to tie the game up at 1. But, just over a minute after that goal, Matt Lorito would pick up his second goal of the postseason to put Albany ahead 2-1. All three goals were scored in a span of 2:10.
Scott Wedgewood would take care of the rest, finishing with 32 saves on 33 shots. Mike Sislo assisted on both goals, and Marc Andre Gragnani added a helper. The Marlies were held to one goal on home ice for the first time since November 29th. Albany’s penalty kill remained perfect, improving to 17 for 17 during the postseason.
The Lineup:
Reid Boucher-Jim O’Brien-Brian O’Neill
Matt Lorito-Pavel Zacha-Nick Lappin
Blake Pietila-Joe Blandisi-Mike Sislo
Ben Thomson-Rod Pelley-Paul Thompson
Damon Severson/Dan Kelly
Seth Helgeson/Vojtech Mozik
Marc Andre Gragnani/Reece Scarlett
Scott Wedgewood/Yann Danis
Scratches: Blake Coleman, Graham Black, Brandon Burlon, Raman Hrabarenka, Ryan Kujawinski, Pierre-Luc Leblond, Chris McKelvie, Corbin McPherson, Max Novak
Power Play: 1 for 4. Penalty Kill: 3 for 3. Penalty Minutes: 8. Shots on Goal: 29. Shots Allowed: 33.
Highlights:
Game 2, 5/6: Toronto 5, Albany 3
Two lineup changes for the Devils going into Game 2 on Friday night: Jim O’Brien and Pavel Zacha were out due to injuries, in comes Ryan Kujawinski and Pierre-Luc Leblond, causing some lineup switching. This time, it was Toronto getting on the board first…just as Leblond was exiting the penalty box, Ben Smith would score to give the Marlies the early lead. But the Devils were quick to respond to that…Dan Kelly would pick up his first goal of the playoffs just over a minute later to tie things up at 1. Less than 3 minutes later, Nick Lappin would score his first postseason goal to put Albany ahead 2-1 after the first 20 minutes. Second period, things started getting just a little chippy, as both teams combined for 18 penalty minutes. While Joe Blandisi was serving a double minor for attempted spearing (Richard Clune sold it well, but was still called for embellishment anyway), T.J. Brennan would be the first player to score a power play goal against the Devils this postseason, tying the game back up at two apiece. The Marlies would take a 3-2 lead early in the third on a Zach Hyman goal, but just under two minutes later Matt Lorito would answer with his third goal of the playoffs to tie the game up again. But Brennan’s second goal of the game with just over 13 minutes remaining in regulation would turn out to be the game winner. The Devils tried in vain to get the fourth tying goal, but Antoine Bibeau was up to the challenge, stopping 18 of 19 third period shots. Hyman picked up his second goal of the night on a wraparound with 1:45 remaining to put the game away, sending the series back to the Capital District all tied up.
It was not the greatest of nights for Scott Wedgewood, as he stopped 27 of 32 shots. It was the first game all season where he gave up more than three goals. Kelly and four other Devils had one assist each.
The Lineup:
Ryan Kujawinski-Joe Blandisi-Mike Sislo
Reid Boucher-Brian O’Neill-Nick Lappin
Matt Lorito-Blake Pietila-Paul Thompson
Ben Thomson-Rod Pelley-Pierre-Luc Leblond
Seth Helgeson/Vojtech Mozik
Damon Severson/Dan Kelly
Marc Andre Gragnani/Reece Scarlett
Scott Wedgewood/Yann Danis
Scratches: Brandon Burlon, Blake Coleman, Max Novak, Jim O’Brien, Chris McKelvie, Graham Black, Raman Hrabarenka, Corbin McPherson, Pavel Zacha
Power Play: 0 for 3. Penalty Kill: 4 for 5. Penalty Minutes: 14. Shots on Goal: 43. Shots Allowed: 32.
Highlights:
AHL Live has the highlight reel here.
Up North with the Thunder:
Adirondack and South Carolina are tied up at 2 in their second round series, splitting Games 3 and 4 in Glens Falls this week. In Game 3 on Tuesday, Ken Appleby stopped 28 of 29 shots in a 3-1 win. Gunnar Hughes scored, and Ben Johnson and Greg Wolfe each had an assist. The Stingrays would storm back into the series on Thursday, shutting out the Thunder 6-0. Appleby was pulled after two periods, stopping 12 of 17 shots. One of the goal scorers for South Carolina? Former A-Devil Kelly Zajac.
Game 5 will be in Glens Falls on Saturday, then the series shifts back to Charleston for Game 6 on Tuesday. If needed, Game 7 will be on Wednesday.
What’s Next?
The series shifts back to the Capital Region for the next 3 games: Game 3 Sunday afternoon, Game 4 on Tuesday night, and Game 5 on Thursday night. If needed, it’s back to Toronto on Saturday afternoon for Game 6.
There will be two special guests on hand for Game 4 on Tuesday: former Devil Ken Daneyko and N.J. Devil will be making the trip north.
Thoughts Inside The Box 