The New Jersey Devils (2-2-0) picked up a second-consecutive win in impressive fashion, a 4-1 victory over the New York Islanders (2-2-0) last night. The Devils absolutely dominated the game from the opening puck drop onwards for their first road win of 2022-2023. Ondrej Palat scored a pair of goals and Mackenzie Blackwood made 16 saves for New Jersey in the victory.
Game Summary
First Period
In the first period, the Devils completely dominated the Islanders. New Jersey got the first 15 shots of the game, including 11 in the opening seven minutes. The Islanders did not test Mackenzie Blackwood with a shot on net until the three minute mark of the opening frame.
However, despite the Devils’ dominance, Ilya Sorokin made sure they had nothing to show for it. The goaltender made several impressive stops, with many of the Devils’ chances coming from right in the slot.
The best chance of the period fell to Jesper Bratt who fired a one-timer off the post. After the first period, the Devils had 1.28 expected goals to the Islanders 0.22 in all situations, but the game remained scoreless.
Second Period
However, just 1:35 into the second period, New Jersey finally made their advantage count. A gorgeous Damon Severson stretch pass sent Jack Hughes in on the breakaway, and the former first-overall pick slid a backhander five-hole to open the scoring. It was Hughes’ first goal of the season.
Just minutes later, Ondrej Palat buried a one-timer to give the Devils a well-deserved 2-0 lead. Nico Hischier and Jesper Bratt picked up assists. From there, the second period was rather even with both goalies continuing to play well. Neither team could find any goals and New Jersey took a two-goal lead to the third period.
Third Period
Much like the first period, the Devils dominated the play in the third. New Jersey controlled the play for the first half of the frame, but Sorokin again stood tall. Just past the midway point of the period, the Islanders had their best chance of the night, but Mackenzie Blackwood made a stellar save on Jean-Gabriel Pageau to keep it 2-0.
Then, with just under five minutes left, Palat struck again off another great feed from Bratt. Anders Lee ended up squeaking one past Blackwood with three minutes to go and the Islanders net empty to ruin the shutout.
However, the Devils shut the door from there before Hischier hit the empty net. When it was all said and done, the expected goals in all situations favored the Devils 2.71-0.48, per Natural Stat Trick.
Wrap Up
Top to bottom, the Devils thoroughly outclassed the Islanders last night. As a team, New Jersey had a 60.98% Corsi-For percentage (CF%) and a 76.73% expected goals-for percentage (xGF%) in all situations. The Devils also outshot the Islanders 43-17.
It was a big offensive night for the Nico Hischier line as well. The captain netted a goal to go with two assists while Jesper Bratt had an assist on each of Palat’s goals.
Mackenzie Blackwood made 16 of 17 saves and saved 0.57 goals above expected to earn the win. Ilya Sorokin got the loss for the Islanders despite saving 0.62 goals above expected. Both teams were perfect on the penalty kill.
Game Notes
Kevin Bahl
The Devils dressed 11 forwards and seven defensemen in this one, meaning Bahl got his first action of the season. The 2018 second-round pick made the most of his opportunity, finishing with a 66.67% CF% at five-on-five. That mark was even more impressive at the second intermission when he led the Devils in expected goals for percentage as well as CF%.
Meanwhile, Brendan Smith, who has been the Devils’ sixth defenseman so far this season, did not fare nearly as well. Smith’s CF% of 47.06% was the lowest of New Jersey skaters, and his 56.71 xGF% was the second lowest mark. We’ll see if the Devils go with six or seven defensemen next time out, but Bahl looks the better option over Smith right now.
Dawson Mercer
Mercer did not find himself on the scoresheet, but still had a very strong performance. On a night where every Devil had an xGF% north of 50%, Mercer led the way with a tremendous 96.48% xGF% at five-on-five. Mercer also finished with a solid CF% of 68.42%.
For the season, Mercer now has an xGF% of 70.60%. However, as a testament to how well the Devils have played as a team at five-on-five, that mark is only 13th best on the roster. His season CF% of 63.06% ranks 17th.
Mackenzie Blackwood
After a disappointing outing on opening night in Philadelphia, Mackenzie Blackwood has turned in back-to-back solid games. The 2015 second-round pick saved 0.14 goals above expected in the win over Anaheim and saved 0.57 goals above expected tonight.
Devils goaltending will be a key storyline all season long. If both Blackwood and Vitek Vanecek can put up a quality outing, the Devils will be competitive. New Jersey is now 2-0-0 when their goaltender has a positive GSAx and 0-0-2 when that mark is negative. For the season, Devils goalies have a cumulative -3.97 GSAx, per Natural Stat Trick.
What’s Next
The Devils head back home to host the San Jose Sharks on Saturday, October 22nd at 1:00 P.M. ET.
Note: All statistics via Natural Stat Trick.