There was much joy in Devils’ nation at the Prudential Center last night. The New Jersey Devils concluded their 40th anniversary’s final home game in exciting fashion. To go along with the debut of Luke Hughes, New Jersey defeated the Buffalo Sabres 6-2.
The win gives the Devils home-ice advantage in the first round. In addition a new record was set by Jack Hughes for most points in a single season in franchise history. The Devils will face off in game 82 with the chance at the Metropolitan Division title.
Game Summary
First Period
In what was an eventful period between the two clubs, the Devils found the scoresheet first. Midway through the period, the Devils would solve Devon Levi.
Off a dump in by Miles Wood, Jesper Boqvist would slide a pass to Nathan Bastian that went off a Buffalo skate. Both teams would have their chances the rest of the way, but when the horn sounded the Devils took a 1-0 lead into the second period. Buffalo would outshoot the Devils 11-10 that period and control the play at five on five.
Second Period
It did not take long for the Devils to find the scoreboard. In the opening minute, Nico Hischier sent a tap pass to Jonas Siegenthaler who stepped into a slap shot to make it 2-0.
Afterwards, it was the Sabres turn to respond. Shortly after a disallowed goal due to offsides, Jeff Skinner cut the lead in half. After a keep at the blue line, the forward went to work. The slick puck movement saw Alex Tuch slide a pass to Casey Mittlestadt who would slide a pass to an open Skinner for the tap in goal.
Moments later, Miles Wood extended the lead. After a rebound given up by Levi, Wood pounced on the rebound and sniped a shot past Levi to make it 3-1. The score would remain the same the rest of the way headed to the third period.
Third Period
Both teams went on to trade goals early. First, it was Tomas Tatar who punched home a snap shot to extend the lead. Moments later, it was Mattias Samuelsson who snapped a shot over Vitek Vanecek to make it a two goal game.
Tomas Tatar would deliver the dagger, scoring his second of the period with the empty netter. Jack Hughes would score the second empty netter to make it 6-2.
Wrap Up
The New Jersey Devils defeated the Buffalo Sabres 6-2. New Jersey had goals from five different goal scorers. Vitek Vanecek was good in net and Jack Hughes set the record for most points in a single season by a Devils player.
After the conclusion of this game, the Devils now have six 20 goal scorers; the most since 2000-01. They will also have a chance to break the team’s all-time win record in the finale.
Game Notes
- Vitek Vanecek was a busy man tonight. He would stop 36 of 38 shots and finished the game with 1.82 goals saved above expected.
- Good things happened when Jesper Bratt was on the ice. Shot attempts were 18-9, further the Devils outshot Buffalo 11-2 with him in the ice.
What’s Next?
The New Jersey Devils wrap up the regular season Thursday against Washington at 7:00 pm ET.