The New Jersey Devils (6-3-0) steamrolled the Columbus Blue Jackets (3-7-0) on Sunday afternoon. A total of 13 different Devils recorded points and Vitek Vanecek stopped 18 of 19 shots in the win. The Devils outshot the Blue Jackets 52-19. The win was New Jersey’s third straight and sixth in their last seven games, moving the Devils atop the Metropolitan Division.
Match Overview
First Period
As they have done throughout the early season, the Devils had the better of the game early. Finally, with just under three minutes to go, Fabian Zetterlund found the breakthrough. The 23-year-old blasted a one-timer past Merzlikins for his first goal of the season.
The Devils took that 1-0 lead to the locker room with a 67.65 Corsi-for percentage (CF%) and 86.91 expected goals-for (xGF%) at five-on-five. Shots were 20-5 New Jersey in the opening frame after the Devils outshot the Blue Jackets 14-1 to open the game.
Second Period
The Devils maintained their momentum in the second period. Just over three minutes into the period, Nico Hischier fooled Merzlikins, scoring on a long-range wrist shot. Then, just 33 seconds later, Ryan Graves blasted a slap shot past the 28-year-old goaltender on the rush. In the blink of an eye, the Devils had tripled their lead to 3-0.
Yegor Chinakhov got one back for Columbus with a wrister after New Jersey failed to clear the zone. The Blue Jackets had a chance to draw closer, but their scoreless on the season power play remained stagnant.
Then, just before the second period buzzer sounded, John Marino intercepted a pass at the blue line and beat Merzlikins with a shot from the dot of the circle. The Latvian netminder got a large chunk of it with the glove, but could not keep it out.
After two, it was 4-1 Devils with New Jersey holding a 60.00 CF% and a 84.09 xGF% at five-on-five in the middle frame.
Third Period
In the third period, the Devils did not take their foot off the gas pedal. An early New Jersey power play created some good looks, but was ultimately capped with a power play goal from Jonas Siegenthaler of all people after a scramble in front of the net. The demolition continued when Jack Hughes found Jesper Bratt for a one-time blast with just over seven minutes to go. Bratt had already extended his point streak to all nine games of the Devils’ season earlier with an assist, but the goal gave him his 15th point of the young season.
Minutes later, Miles Wood capped off a lively performance of his own with a great solo effort to knock the puck free at the blue line and chip it past Merzlikins, making it 7-1.
From there, New Jersey saw the game out, ending the third period with a 68.97 CF% and a 63.17 xGF% at five-on-five.
For the game, the Devils finished with a 65.31 CF% and a 79.10 xGF%. Another dominant effort.
Wrap Up
In a 7-1 victory, most players have an impressive statline, and that was true for New Jersey on Sunday. As mentioned, 13 different players recorded a point, but only three had multi-point days.
Nico Hischier picked up a goal and an assist while Jack Hughes had a pair of helpers. Fabian Zetterlund, John Marino, Ryan Graves, and Jonas Siegenthaler all scored their first goals of the season in the win.On the other side of the ice, Johnny Gaudreau went without a point for Columbus in his first game in New Jersey after his free agency saga.
Vitek Vanecek picked up his third straight win, making 18 saves on 19 shots. Due to the Devils’ dominance, he actually allowed 0.16 goals above expected. Meanwhile, Elvis Merzlikins took the loss for Columbus, despite making 45 saves. Merzlikins allowed 1.13 goals above expected.
Game Notes
Fabian Zetterlund
With Ondrej Palat on injured reserve, Fabian Zetterlund continues to get opportunities to play and is continuing to make the most of them. On Sunday, Zetterlund led all Devils skaters with a 71.43 CF% at five-on-five. His 86.41 xGF% was second on the team behind only Brendan Smith. On top of that, Zetterlund netted his first goal of the 2022-2023 campaign to open the scoring.
As mentioned, Zetterlund has impressed all season when given the oppertunity. For the season, the former third round pick leads New Jersey with a 69.39 CF% and ranks fifth with a 73.63 xGF% at five-on-five.
It’s safe to say that Zetterlund has established himself as an NHL regular, even if he shifts down the lineup slightly when the Devils are fully healthy.
Nico Hischier
Playing alongside Zetterlund, Nico Hischier turned in another outstanding performance on Sunday. The New Jersey captain had an assist on Zetterlund’s opening goal before scoring the game-winner early in the second period. At five-on-five on Sunday, Hischier’s 68.42 CF% was the fifth-best mark by a Devil and his 85.99 xGF% was third.
For the season, Hischier has put up a 64 CF% and a 68.16% xGF% at five-on-five. The 2017 first-overall pick has also played valuable minutes on both the power play and penalty kill. Hischier is also tied for the team lead with four goals and has nine points, second to only Jesper Bratt.
Dougie Hamilton
When three Devils’ defensemen all score their first goal of the season in the same game, they will naturally grab most of the headlines. However, Dougie Hamilton has a strong case for the best New Jersey defenseman in the 7-1 win over Columbus. Hamilton had a CF% of 69.77 at five-on-five, second to only Fabian Zetterlund, and an xGF% of 78.31.
For the season, Hamilton leads all Devils’ defensemen with a 66.34 CF% at five-on-five. He also leads New Jersey defensemen with seven points, trailing only the trio of Bratt, Hischier, and Hughes.
After an up-and-down first year in New Jersey, the former Bruins’ first-round pick looks to be back to his elite form.
What’s Next
The Devils head to Western Canada for their first extended road trip of the season. The three-game road swing kicks off in Vancouver against the Canucks on Tuesday, November 1 at 10 p.m. ET.
Note: All statistics via Natural Stat Trick.