Game Summary
The New Jersey Devils won their first game of the season against the Boston Boston Bruins in overtime to improve their record to 1-0-1 for three points. This point total is good enough to temporarily boost them into a playoff spot. Although it has only been two games. But how did the game break down?
First Period:
The Devils started out well in period number one, outshooting their fellow East division team eight to seven. The game got going early as Kevan Miller and Miles Wood fought just 19 seconds in (see above).
Both teams played fairly well, and there were chances on both sides. Each goalie had to make some good saves as well with Jaroslav Halak making a fantastic one on Michael McLeod just about eight minutes in. Blackwood on the other hand had the easier time as the Devils were able to limit Boston’s chances.
Eventually, the Devils were the ones to break the ice though. At the 16:15 mark of the first period, Jack Hughes picked off a pass in the offensive zone and got it over to Ty Smith who took a shot that was deflected in front by Miles Wood. This was Wood’s second of the season to make it 1-0 New Jersey.
Second Period:
The second period is where the Devils struggled yesterday afternoon as they got outshot by Boston 13 to eight. They got thoroughly outplayed throughout the majority of the period which led to Boston scoring late in the period. However, the goal was called off! And the Devils got a power play because Boston challenged and lost.
However, the Devils let up a shorthanded goal on that power play after holding the zone well. The Devils lost Patrice Bergeron as Marchand fought off Palmieri on a two on one to get it to him and the game was tied.
Third Period:
The Devils were a completely different team in the third period. The team outshot Boston by six and generally had control of the game for most of the third. The only reason the game went into overtime was because of Jaroslav Halak.
The third-year Boston goaltender made some fantastic saves on Kyle Palmieri and Jack Hughes to keep the game tied late. The Devils also got a power play late in the game which carried over into overtime. The team, unfortunately, although they were able to set it up well, were not able to capitalize on either the five-on-four in regulation or the four-on-three in overtime.
Overtime:
This was a classic over time, with the teams trading puck possession for the entire extra period. The overtime went back and forth until there was about 10-seconds left. Kyle Palmieri banked the puck ahead for Damon Severson who made an amazing no-look tip pass to Yegor Sharangovich who ripped home the game-winner past Halak with just 1.7 seconds left in the extended time!
Game Notes
Jack Hughes
- For the second straight game, Jack Hughes was the Devils best forward. The 19-year-old racked up an assist along with a plethora of chances that were stuffed out by Halak. Hughes had five high danger chances for (HDCF) which led the entire team. Hughes also had the most ice time of any forward and third overall among on the team, as he was out there for an astounding 22:37. That’s the highest time on ice he’s had in a game in his career thus far, topping his previous career-high which he set Thursday night.
Mackenzie Blackwood
- Jack Hughes has definitely been the Devils best forward, but he hasn’t been their best player. That honor has to go to goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood, who now has the second-highest save percentage (Sv%) of any goalie who has played multiple games. Blackwood has been outstanding in his first two outings as he’s dragged them to a 1-0-1 record with his .954 Sv%. Blackwood was lights out yesterday afternoon as he made some great stops and got the second star of the game.
The Other Youngsters
- The Devils’ young star center and goalie have definitely stolen the show. However, that doesn’t mean some of the other young players and rookies haven’t played well, quite the opposite actually. Rookie defenseman Ty Smith already has his first goal and collected an assist yesterday. Yegor Sharangovich has impressed everyone to start the season which all culminated with his first NHL goal in overtime. I also mentioned the Devils’ fourth line in the game preview for this game and they didn’t disappoint in the Devils first matinee of the season. The trio put up six hits and applied pressure to Boston every time they were out there.
All statistics courtesy of NaturalStatTrick.com