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Game Summary

In what was one of the Devils most entertaining games in recent weeks, they managed to come away with a thrilling 3-2 overtime victory to avoid the season sweep at the hands of the New York Rangers. After what was largely an uneventful first thirty minutes, things really got going late in the second period. John Quenneville scored his first career NHL goal on the power play after a nice feed from Joseph Blandisi from below the goal line. However, it didn’t take long for the Rangers to tie things up as Oscar Lindberg made it a 1-1 game just over a minute later. The Devils soon regained the lead after Kyle Palmieri set up Taylor Hall for his 18th goal of the season for a 2-1 New Jersey lead.

Although that was the end of the scoring for the second period, it was far from the end of the action. After taking a hard hit along a dangerous part of the boards near the Devils bench, Miles Wood dropped the gloves and fought Nick Holden for what eventually turned into a line brawl. Nick Lappin, Jimmy Vesey, Miles Wood, and Nick Holden all got five minute majors while Wood was given a two-minute instigator and a 10-minute misconduct.

After a wild second period, the Rangers came out and struck first in the third as Rick Nash tied the game on the power play after he was left all alone in front of Schneider. It was a rough final frame for the Devils as they were outshot 17-9 and were saved by the post a couple of times. Despite that, their effort was good enough to get to overtime. After the teams exchanged numerous chances, John Quenneville and Joseph Blandisi teamed up for the game-winning goal on a 2 vs.1 that secured the win for the Devils.

Game Notes

• Both John Quenneville and Joseph Blandisi were the Devils stars of the game last night. They each finished with one goal, assist and as mentioned above, combined for the game-winning goal on a two-on-one in overtime. Quenneville’s goal was the first of his NHL career while Blandisi now has six points in as many games. With just 10 games remaining in the season, it’ll be all about the continuing development of the Devils young prospects, so look for players like Blandisi and Quenneville to continue logging big minutes; especially if they continue putting up points.

• Miles Wood may not have gotten on the scoresheet last night, but he surely made his presence felt. He dropped the gloves with Nick Holden in what was his sixth fighting major of his rookie season. You have to love Wood’s tenacity and his ability to defend himself and his teammates, but in the long run, you’d like to see him fight less and focus on staying out on the ice. Wood has the potential to be one the Devils top scoring threats going forward, so the more often you can have him on the ice, the better off NJ will be.

• It’s been a rollercoaster of a season for Cory Schneider, but he was rock solid last night; especially in the third period where he faced 17 shots. Sure, he may’ve had some help from the post, but he made 38 saves on 40 shots and while facing 10 high danger chances. Schneider has shown he can still will the Devils to a win, as evidenced last night. Ray Shero just needs to get some help in front of Schneider to get him back to where he’s been in the past.