Devils’ Lose Henrique, Zajac To Injury During Loss to Red Wings
New Jersey Devils’ forwards Adam Henrique and Travis Zajac both left Friday night’s 5-4 shootout loss to the Detroit Red Wings with injuries.
When it rains, it pours in New Jersey.
The Devils were looking in control Friday night against the Red Wings, going into the third period with a 4-2 lead. The Devils not only lost control of the wheel, but lost a couple passengers in the process.
Forward Adam Henrique left the game late in the second period with what the team is calling an upper-body injury. Then, forward Travis Zajac left the game early in the third after only taking four shifts. The Devils went on to blow their two-goal lead and eventually lost the game 5-4 in a shootout.
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The New Jersey Devils lost in a shootout. Shocker.
The team dismissed that losing Henrique and Zajac to injuries had anything to do with them losing them the game. To a certain extent, they’re right. It’s a team game and good teams find a way to pull out a win in these situations. However, losing your two top centers can’t very well help the situation, especially when they are two of your best defensive players on offense.
Henrique left the game having recorded two assists so far through the game, and the team clearly wasn’t the same after he left. Henrique has already missed time this season between Nov. 6th-15th with a lower-body injury. The Devils were 2-4 while Henrique was out, as opposed to 7-5-3 with him in the lineup. The Devils absolutely need Henrique on the ice.
The Devils are a team with not a lot of forward depth. With losing their top two centers, their depth will really be tested if Henrique and Zajac are forced to miss an extended period of time.