Five Things: Devils Fall to the Blue Jackets, 2-1

"I feel like we spotted them two goals, and we couldn't climb out of that hole."

New Jersey Devils defenseman Brendan Smith honestly assessed his team's performance in their 2-1 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets Friday afternoon at Prudential Center.

"In my mind, there's still a long way to go, and we're not close to the team that we want to be right now."

The Devils surrendered the game's first goal again after a massive misassignment and miscommunication between defensemen Jonas Siegenthaler and Dougie Hamilton. Boone Jenner was left wide open in front of Akira Schmid for an easy goal.

A little under four minutes later, Alexander Holtz scored his fifth of the season after Ondrej Palat stole the puck from Jake Bean in the offensive zone. The former Tampa Bay Lightning winger has four assists in his last five games.

Columbus' game-winning goal was scored with 36 seconds left in the first period. With Hamilton out of position, Eric Robinson scored on a breakaway.

"I didn't like the goal we gave up at the end of the first period," Ruff said. "It's a goal you can't give up. You give a team like that a lead. We fought back to make it 1-1. You give a goal late in the period. Those are killers."

The Devils fired 32 shots at Blue Jackets' goaltender Elvis Merzlikins over the next two periods but could not mount a comeback. It was a better performance than their previous game in Detroit, but like Smith said, the team still has a long way to go.

1. A Lifeless First Period

MSG analyst Bryce Salvador was left speechless by the Devils' effort in the opening frame.

Considering most referred to this game as a must-win for New Jersey, there was a lack of energy and urgency, especially in the first 10 minutes. The Devils managed to fire only four shots at Merzlikins in the first half of the first period. They could not sustain pressure in the offensive zone and looked lifeless overall.

2. Hamilton's Tough Night

Hockey is a game of mistakes, and two of Hamilton's mistakes resulted in two Blue Jackets goals. When asked about his top defenseman, Ruff did not hold back.

"Really not good. (He) made a mistake on both goals. In a two-on-two rush, he got caught. Then, with a guy in behind him on the second (Blue Jackets goal). Those are the plays that we're trying to eliminate."

3. Uninspired Special Teams

Special teams can play a huge factor in the game. In fact, it can sometimes determine which team will skate off the ice with two points.

Late in the first period, the Devils were forced to kill off a four-minute penalty after Holtz was called for a high-sticking double minor. After a successful kill, one would think it would provide the necessary momentum boost the team desperately needed. It did not, as the Blue Jackets scored the game-winning goal about a minute after Holtz was freed from the penalty box.

The Devils' penalty killers got the job done and were a perfect three-for-three but could not provide the momentum the team needed. The power play was unable to convert, going zero-for-two.

4. The Loss of Lazar

Curtis Lazar played 4:14 against Columbus. He sustained an injury in the first period, and even though he tried, he could not return to action. After the game, head coach Lindy Ruff said Lazar would be questionable in Saturday's game versus the Buffalo Sabres.

5. Smith Played Fourth Line Wing

Ruff provided an unexpected plot twist during warmups when defenseman Brendan Smith took line rushes with Michael McLeod and Nathan Bastian on the team's fourth line. While he dressed as a forward, when it came to the penalty kill, Smith assumed his defensive responsibilities.

"It was different," Smith said. "I have said this before: I am here to help the team win. I thought I created some offense and did a good job on the penalty kill."