Brief Overview
In a very tightly contested game with strong goaltending, it was the New Jersey Devils who came out on top. The Devils closed out the home stand on a high note defeating the Anaheim Ducks. The game went go to a shootout, which saw the Devils show off their skill and send the Prudential Cetnter into a frenzy.
Game Summary
First Period
Despite the Devils outshooting the Ducks 15-7, Anaheim drew first blood. Midway through the first period, forward Troy Terry entered the zone and fired a wrist-shot past Nico Daws for his 29th goal of the season. With the flurry of chances that followed, the teams would go to intermission with the score remaining 1-0. New Jersey would finish the period with a Corsi-for percentage (CF%) of 64.29 and controlled the period, but could not find the back of the net.
Second Period
It did not take long for the Devils to get things going. At the two minute mark of period two, the Devils tied the game. A two-on-one rush saw Jesper Boqvist find Tomas Tatar, who found the back of the net for his 11th of the year. Both teams would trade chances, but headed to the third period tied 1-1.
Third Period
Both goalies would stand tall and be terrific. Despite each team getting terrific chances at both ends of the ice, no goals were scored. Both teams would secure a point as they headed to overtime.
Overtime and Shootout
No goals would be scored in the overtime period. Overtime was electrifying. Both teams traded chances, and both goaltenders stood tall. Specifically Anthony Stolarz who was terrific all game. He had to fend off an overtime power play for the Devils.
The game would be decided in a shootout. The Devils secured the two points as Tomas Tatar and Jesper Bratt scored the goals in the shootout off silky sweet dekes to beat Stolarz. The Devils defeat the Ducks 2-1.
Game Notes
- Goaltending was the highlight of this game. Nico Daws was fantastic. Daws saved 1.34 goals above expected per Natural Stat Trick. He played above expected and was a big reason the Devils won the game.
- Tomas Tatar had a strong game. Tatar scored not only the game-tying goal, but also one of the shootout goals. According to Natural Stat Trick, Tatar finished the game with a terrific CF% of 80.77.
- For never being a good team in the shootout, the Devils made it look easy last night. They improved their season record to 2-4 in the event.
What’s Next?
The Devils head out on a Western Canada road trip that begins Tuesday against the Vancouver Canucks.