FIVE THINGS: Devils Fall to the Oilers, 6-3

The New Jersey Devils dropped their Thursday night game versus the Edmonton Oilers by a final score of 6-3. Dawson Mercer, Jonas Siegenthaler, and Timo Meier scored for New Jersey. At the same time, Ryan McLeod (2), Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, and Adam Erne found the back of the net for Edmonton.

The Oilers scored their first goal of the night 24 seconds into the first period. It looked like Luke Hughes would gain possession of the puck behind his netminder's cage, but Sam Gagner got to it first and dished it over to Ryan McLeod. The younger McLeod brother was left wide open within feet of Akira Schmid's crease for an easy goal.

Minutes later, McDavid beat Devils defenseman John Marino in a board battle. Things didn't get better for the 26-year-old, who was then out of position and got caught watching Edmonton extend their lead 2-0. The Devils' coaching staff pulled Schmid in favor of Vitek Vanecek at 5:24 as he allowed two goals on six shots.

"We left (Schmid) alone in the beginning of the game," Meier said. "..Letting a teammate down like that it obviously stings."

Both goals scored on Schmid were shot within five feet of his crease, and in both situations, Edmonton's goal scorer was left unchallenged by the Devils' defense.

Before the conclusion of the opening frame, the Devils pulled within one courtesy of Michael McLeod and Mercer. The fourth-line center picked up the puck in his zone and skated toward the Oilers' net. He passed the puck to Mercer, whose wrist shot got past Edmonton goaltender Calvin Pickard. New Jersey entered the first intermission down 2-1.

The Devils played a strong second period. Vanecek made 18 stops, while Siegenthaler and Meier scored to give New Jersey a 3-2 lead going into the third period. It was the Swiss defenseman's first goal of the season, and Meier scored his first goal since returning from injury.

Things completely unraveled for New Jersey in the early minutes of the final frame. In the span of 1:09, Edmonton scored three goals.

"We're up 3-2, can't come out like that for the last period," Meier said. "They're an offensive, really strong team. Coming out like that, they score three quick ones, and you're chasing. ... When you go into the third period with a one-goal lead, you have to manage the puck really well and play tight in your end and be sharp."

It is no secret that New Jersey's blue line is young, with three of the six defensemen aged 23 or younger. Their inexperience was on display at Prudential Center versus the Oilers.

After the game, McDavid told attending media, "We felt there were a lot of pucks laying around (their) net."

That is a combination of the goaltender giving up rebounds and the defense not getting to pucks quicker than opposing players.

New Jersey allowed four goals in the final period, which, according to the media notes, marked the most tallies that New Jersey allowed in a single period this season.

1. "We Didn't Win Enough Battles"

"We lost almost every battle tonight. Whether it was the third period, first period, or start of the game. (The) 50/50 battles were all theirs. They tracked us down from behind, they outskated us, (and) outworked us." - Head Coach Lindy Ruff.

2. Giveaways and Takeaways

The Devils had 14 giveaways compared to their opponent, who had four. According to Natural Stat Trick, Erik Haula and Siegenthaler each had two, with nine other New Jersey skaters having one. The only defenseman who did not get credited with a giveaway was Marino.

Edmonton also had 12 takeaways, to New Jersey's eight.

3. "You Have to Get Out Of It Together"

Their loss to the Oilers marked the Devils third straight defeat. The team's frustration is becoming evident, and after the game, captain Nico Hischier addressed the media.

"You have to get out of it together," Hischier said. "We're all frustrated. That's when teams get together, dig deeper. We want to come out as a group."

4. Michael McLeod Is Becoming NJ's Unsung Hero

There was only one New Jersey skater who was on the ice and factored into all three Devils goals, and that was Michael McLeod.

For the second time this season, he earned a two-point night with an assist on Mercer and Siegenthaler's goal. He added two assists and one blocked shot. He once again led the team with a face-off win percentage of 66.7 (8/12).

5. Timo Meier Gets The Money Off His Back

In the second period, Meier scored his sixth goal of the season. Before Thursday night, his last goal was scored versus the Winnipeg Jets on Nov. 14.

After the game, Meier was asked about finally breaking through and finding the scoresheet.

"Getting a goal means nothing if you lose the game," Meier said. "You play for what's in front of your jersey and try to prove your game. One goal gives a little boost, but you have to keep building."