Game Summary

In what was a generally low-event affair, the Devils came out on top after Taylor Hall beat Jacob Markstrom with a wicked wrister in overtime to give New Jersey a 2-1 win.

The Devils looked to have the go-ahead goal late in the third after Blake Coleman scored on a wraparound. However, the Canucks challenged for offsides and the goal was waved off after the play was just a fraction of an inch offsides. Vancouver had a couple of great chances in the final minute of regulation, but Schneider stood tall and with the help of a little luck, the Devils were able to get to OT.

It didn’t take long for the Devils to wrap things up. Travis Zajac broke up a 2 on 1 on a terrific backcheck to set up Taylor Hall on a 2 on 1 the other way. Hall didn’t hesitate and beat Jacob Markstrom to notch his second game-winning goal in as many games. The win improves New Jersey to 2-0-1 on their trip out west. They’ll look to close it out with a win against a very good Minnesota team on Tuesday night.

Game Notes

• It’s been quite the road trip for Taylor Hall. He had a primary assist in Edmonton and picked up the game winning goals in Calgary and Vancouver. He’s also been positive in possession in 2 of the 3 games, including 74% against Calgary Friday night. Prior to going out west, Hall mentioned that this is the biggest trip of the season for the Devils, and so far, he’s done more than his fair share, as he’s been one of the best Devils on the ice.

• It’s been a great start for Steven Santini, who continues to impress when he’s out on the ice. He was +16/-7 in shot attempts against Calgary and +10/-4 last night. He has a 53.1% Corsi For on the season and the Devils have been driving play better when he’s on the ice. Hynes has gradually increased his minutes over the course of the last week as a result. He’s been a nice change of pace considering what we’ve seen from some of the the Devils defensemen this season.

• Cory Schneider continues to play much better hockey. He has a .950 save percentage or better in 5 of his last 7 starts and now has a save percentage at .910 on the season, which is still well below his career average, but it’s steadily climbing. The Devils have been better in front of him defensively, for the most part, over the last two weeks. If they can continue that, there’s no reason Schneider’s numbers can continue to keep trending upward.