Introduction
Last night the New Jersey Devils beat the Boston Bruins, 5-3, in their final exhibition game before the start of the regular season. They end the preseason with a record of 5-2-0. The win last night was with both teams for the most part starting who will play opening night. That makes the win even more encouraging as the team now has their eyes set on opening night in Philadelphia this Thursday.
Recap
1st period
Devils’ Goals: Holtz (1), Assists: Hughes (1) Marino (2)
2nd period
Bruins’ Goal: Pastrnak (2), Assists: Krejci (2)
Devils’ Goal: Mercer (1), Assists: Hamilton (3) Zetterlund (3)
3rd period
Devils’ Goal: Hughes (3), Assist(s): Holtz (2) Marino (3)
Devils’ Goal: Sharangovich (2), Assists: None
Bruins’ Goal: Lauko (2), Assists: Foligno (1) Forbort (2)
Bruins’ Goal: Bergeron (1), Assists: Krejci (3) Lindholm (2)
Devils’ Goal (Empty Net): Tatar (4), Assists: None
Game Notes
- The “H20 line” was productive once again as they potted two goals. Alexander Holtz, specifically, played well, but the tangible production just wasn’t there prior to last night. Holtz finally got on the board to open up the game, as well as setting up Hughes for the second time this preseason with a really nice assist. Hughes played to the elite level as expected and Palat bullied a path for Hughes and Holtz to score their goals. The trio unfortunately didn’t put up the best possession metrics, however, as they only collected a 47.37 Corsi-for percentage (CF%) and ugly 32.77 expected goal-for percentage (xG%) in just over 11 minutes of five-on-five ice time.
- Vitek Vanecek finished his preseason with an impressive stat line, even after allowing two goals on 14 shots last night. He finished his three games with 64 saves on 69 shots, which totals to a .928 save percentage. Blackwood was just alright on the other hand with a .905 SV% on 95 shots throughout parts of four games. Though, one really poor game killed Blackwood’s overall line.
- John Marino showed everyone why the Devils decided to trade for him this preseason. The 25-year-old defenseman finished with three assists as well as a 62.03 CF% (2nd on the team) and 66.53 xG% (5th on the team). This was in over 58 minutes of ice time throughout four games.