The New Jersey Devils (2-1-1) got back in the winning column Saturday night. In a thrilling game with their division rival New York Islanders (2-0-1), the Devils defeated them 5-4 in overtime.
This was a great response from their game Monday night against the Florida Panthers.
Recap
First Period
The first period saw a different chapter in it than the previous three games. New Jersey came out flying in the opening frame and dominated the first period. They were the stronger team at even strength and led in shot attempts 26-4 and finished with a Corsi-for percentage (CF%) of 78.79. The amount of shot attempts led to chances and the Devils controlled the expected goals share (0.72-0.24). However, the Devils enter the second period tied at one thanks in large part to Ilya Sorokin.
The Islanders kicked off the scoring. Off a great breakout, Brock Nelson fired a shot past Akira Schmid to make it 1-0. As dominant as the Devils have been, they answered back. In the final minute of the period and on the power play, Dougie Hamilton ripped a one timer past Sorokin to tie the game.
Second Period
The second period was back and forth battle all period long. Tyler Toffoli scored his first as a Devil. He took a pass from Jack Hughes and sniped a shot over Sorokin to take the lead. It was the Islanders that would respond and once again it was Brock Nelson. Off a bad turnover by the Devils, Nelson skated in alone and slid the puck five hole to tie the game. The back and forth affair would continue as Luke Hughes reclaimed the lead.
Once again on the power play, the Devils cashed in. After taking a pass from along the boards, Hughes slapped a shot from the point that went top shelf over Sorokin.
The scoring was not done there, as the Islanders once again responded quickly. After being left wide open at the side of the net, Bo Horvat ripped a one timed shot to tie the game once again. The back and forth battle would end and the teams would head to the third period tied at three.
New Jersey put forth another dominant showing at even strength. Even though they got outscored in this area (2-1) they dominated in CF% (71.43) and in expected goals-for percentage (69.48). The Devils got their attempts and chances generated just have not been able to finish the chances.
Third Period
The third period saw the Devils grab the lead once again with the power play. Off a great passing sequence, Ondrej Palat found Jack Hughes parked in the front of the net for the easy tap in goal. In the dying minutes of the final frame, Bo Horvat pounced on a loose rebound to tie the game. Both teams would be deadlocked at a tie and head to overtime.
This was the only period where the Islanders showed some pushback at five on five. They led in CF% (65.52) and xG% (84.49). The one glaring statistic for them in the period was they dominated in the high danger area with eight attempts to New Jersey’s zero.
Overtime
The New Jersey Devils found a way to win this game and thanks to their MVP. After circling into the zone, Jack Hughes darted into the middle and ripped a wrist shot past Sorokin. This would not only be his second goal of the game but his fourth point.
The Devils in thrilling fashion secure the two points and get the victory on the road.
Game Notes
The Devils’ Power Play
One question looming into the season was seeing if the power play would be improving. Four games into the season, that has been put to bed.
Currently, the Devils have the second ranked power play with a success rate of 42.9%. Friday night against the Islanders, the Devils were 4 for 5, good for an 80% success rate. The team has been just decent at five on five, but the power play has been a factor to begin the season.
Injury Bug Hitting the Devils
Before the puck dropped to start this game, injures have already piled up. The team was already without forwards Tomas Nosek and Erik Haula, which opens the door for depth forwards to step up.
During this game, the Devils saw captain Nico Hischier leave the game with an injury. It is never good to see the team be down early in the year. With a three day layoff between games, getting healthy and at full strength will be the goal.
Next Up
The Devils continue their road trip as they visit the Montreal Canadiens Tuesday, October 24.