The New Jersey Devils (9-5) return home feeling good. After a tough loss against the Colorado Avalanche, the Devils steamrolled past the Vegas Golden Knights (9-5-1), winning big 5-2 Friday night. The Devils wrap up a three game road trip on a high note. 

Game Recap 

First Period 

This was a very low event period to start. As 12 minutes into the period, the Devils had the only three shots on goal. The good news is that the Devils converted on one of those shots on goal.

After corralling the puck behind the goal, Anthony Mantha fed a pass to defenseman Luke Hughes, who blasted a slap shot in the corner over Adin Hill for his fifth of the season. The Devils would also get a power play moments later, which was very active and generated good chances, but they’ve couldn’t capitalize.

The Golden Knights turned on the jets and increased the pressure and drew a power play with under four minutes remaining. One of the best power plays in the league wasted no time tying the game at one. A slap shot by Mitch Marner got deflected by Mark Stone to even the game. Not even a minute later, Tomas Hertl nearly capitalized off of a turnover by Jesper Boqvist, but Connor Hellebuyck stood tall. The dam broke and the Golden Knights grabbed the lead. 

After careless play by the Devils, the Golden Knights cycled the puck to perfection. Brayden McNabb went cross ice to Marner who then slid the puck over to an open Ivan Barbashev to grab the lead. The sloppy play continued, but this time it went in the Devils favor. After a failed clearing attempt by the Golden Knights, Arseny Gritsyuk grabbed the lose puck, waited out the defender and sniped a shot over Hill to tie the game. It was the break the Devils were looking for and the two teams headed to the second period tied at two. 

This was as even of a period as you’ll see at five-on-five play. Shot attempts were 14 each, shots were 6-5 in favor of the Golden Knights, and scoring chances were tied at five each. When it came to the expected goals share, the Golden Knights held the edge 0.51-0.22.

Second Period

The Devils picked up where they left off in the first period and in the end this was all Devils. In the opening three minutes of the period, Jack Hughes put together a highlight reel goal. As he took the puck into the zone, he slid the puck through the legs of Mark Stone, went around him and put the puck into the net.

The entirety of the period was played at five-on-five and the Devils controlled play for good portions of it. Towards the tail end of the period, the Devils extended their lead and once again it was Gritsyuk. 

With a great individual effort, Gritsyuk forced his way to the front of the net, fired a shot that cause a rebound and he grabbed the rebound and punched it home. The Devils would skate into the third period with a commanding two goal lead. 

The Devils dominated the game at five-on-five play this period. They held the edge in shot attempts (20-14), shots on goal (13-7), and scoring chances (12-7).

Third Period 

This period was more tightly contested and nothing significant happening to the scoreboard. The Devils controlled the play to begin the third period, but the Golden Knights kept pressing to get back into the game. It took until the bitter end, but Jack Hughes sealed the deal completely with an empty net goal. The Devils would head home with a successful road trip and a 5-2 victory. 

Wrap Up

This was a massive victory to secure a successful road trip. The Devils popped off for five goals, the second time they achieved that this road trip. They got goals from Jack Hughes (two), Arseny Gritsyuk (two), and Luke Hughes. Connor Hellebuyck made his second start as a member of the Devils and secured his second win. The Devils now improve to 9-5 on the season. 

Game Notes 

• The Devils’ top line of Arseny Gritsyuk, Jack Hughes, and Jesper Bratt continues to be on fire. The trio finished with a 64.29 Corsi-for percentage, outshot the opposition 12-5, and was a factor on three of the teams’ five goals. Also, they dominated the expected goals share at 68.81%. 

• Connor Hellebuyck was solid in net once again for the Devils. He finished the game with a .905 save percentage. The Devils defense was once a factor, seeing him face only four-high danger shots of the 21 put on net. 

What’s Next? 

The Devils return home to take on the Oilers Tuesday night.