The New Jersey Devils have suffered two frustrating losses in a row and head coach Lindy Ruff’s patience is wearing thin. On Monday evening in the third period he decided to put three players on the bench, including Timo Meier.
The Swiss striker and his teammates John Marino and Curtis Lazar only saw the ice once in the final third. It was a penalty as the Devils allowed the Florida Panthers a fourth straight goal a minute after returning from the locker room.
• Also read: Worrying injury history for Kirby Dach
• Also read: Flyer: More health problems for Sean Couturier
• Also read: Connor Bedard was silent for the first time
In the second third, Meier embarrassed himself by going into the penalty area twice because he had tripped an opponent. This is undoubtedly the reason for Ruff’s decision.
“He can’t take these penalties,” the experienced driver said at a press conference. We talked about discipline. We need more from multiple guys. It’s not just one man’s job. When we start the game there are 18 players playing.
Meier didn’t have a very convincing start to his campaign, as he had just signed an eight-year contract that paid him $8.8 million annually. In three games, the former San Jose Sharks has no points but has six penalty minutes on his record.
High expectations
Much is expected from the 27-year-old winger and the Devils this year after an excellent 2022-2023 season on both counts. New Jersey was the only undefeated team in the preseason, but its success has not yet translated into the regular season.
“The expectations are very high and we haven’t lived up to expectations so far,” admitted newcomer Tyler Toffoli. We talk about it a lot and we will have to continue to talk about it in order to find solutions.
Without Meier, Marino and Lazar on the ice, the Devils woke up in that famous third period. They only came close to beating the Panthers, who still won 4-3.
Ruff would have liked to have seen this click much sooner.
“We need more energy of despair, more anger. We talked about it, but I didn’t see it. “We had too many passengers in the first period,” argued the Albertan.
Meier and the Devils have a chance for redemption on Friday against the New York Islanders.