The New Jersey Devils (49-21-8) routed the Pittsburgh Penguins (38-30-10) 5-1 on Tuesday night. Dawson Mercer scored his first NHL hat trick in the win. The Devils also swept the season series from the Penguins in the process.
The Devils now sits five points ahead of the Rangers for second in the Metropolitan Division with one extra game played. Carolina is three points ahead of New Jersey for first place with one game in hand.
Game Summary
First Period
The Devils played well out of the gate, controlling most of the play early on. However, a Miles Wood tripping penalty in the offensive zone sent Pittsburgh to the game’s first power play six minutes in.
The Penguins were unable to capitalize on the man advantage and the Devils regained the momentum at even strength. Moments later, Dougie Hamilton opened the scoring on a one-timer that deflected off the stick of a Pittsburgh defenseman nine minutes into the opening period.
With the 1-0 lead, the Devils continued to control the play. Vitek Vanecek was forced into a nice save on Drew O’Connor in tight, but it was the Devils that struck next. Nico Hischier led a two-on-one from center ice and sauced a beautiful pass to Dawson Mercer through the slot. Mercer made no mistake on the backdoor, giving NJ a 2-0 lead with five minutes left in the period.
After the first period, shots were 9-8 in favor of Pittsburgh, but the Devils had the better of the play at even strength. The Devils posted a 60.00 Corsi-for percentage (CF%) and a 58.90 expected goals-for percentage (xGF%) at five-on-five.
Second Period
Pittsburgh came out aggressively in the second. Evgeni Malkin had an early rush fought off by Vanecek in the opening minute. However, that aggressiveness backfired when Jason Zucker was called for hooking in the offensive zone.
The Devils couldn’t take advantage immediately on the power play despite a scramble in front of Tristan Jarry. However, with 30 seconds left on the man-advantage, Jeff Petry was called for a delay of game for flipping the puck out of play.
On the ensuing five-on-three, Jack Hughes fired a shot-pass to the tape of Timo Meier who deflected the puck home at the back post, making it a 3-0 game three minutes into the period.
In the final minute of the period, Dawson Mercer struck again. The Newfoundland native found a loose rebound just in front of the crease and stashed it in, making it 4-0 Devils heading to the intermission.
In the second period, shots were 18-6 in favor of NJ. The Devils had a 62.50 CF% and a 64.53 xGF% at five-on-five.
Third Period
Similar to the second period, Pittsburgh made a push immediately into the frame. Rickard Rakell hit the outside of the post in the opening minute.
However, after the Rakell post, the Devils settled in. Dawson Mercer completed his first NHL hat trick with 17 minutes to go, tapping a beautiful Nico Hischier feed into an open net off a rebound. Mercer’s hat trick made it a 5-0 game
Pittsburgh was able to break up the shutout with 14 minutes to go when Bryan Rust deflected home a point shot from the high slot, cutting the New Jersey lead to 5-1. That was all the Devils would allow on the night, though.
In the final period, the shots were 11-8 New Jersey. At five-on-five, the Devils had just a 38.46 CF%, but a 57.41 xGF.
Wrap Up
Dawson Mercer stole the show for the Devils with his hat trick. He was the only Devils skater to record three points. Nico Hischier and Dougie Hamilton both had two-point nights while eight other Devils got on the scoresheet.
Vitek Vanecek earned the win for the Devils, his 31st of the season. He stopped 22 of 23 shots, turning aside 1.09 goals above expected.
The Devils penalty kill also wrapped up a phenomenal year against PIttsburgh. A perfect 4-for-4 night meant the Devils penalty kill went 19-for-20 (95%) against the Penguins in four games, scoring two shorthanded goals in the process.
For the game, shots were 37-23 New Jersey with the Devils posting a 54.55 CF% and a 60.71 xGF% at five-on-five.
Game Notes
Mercer and the Top Line Dominate
Even aside from the hat trick, it was a phenomenal night for Dawson Mercer on the top line. While playing with Nico Hischier and Tomas Tatar, the Devils dominated play.
At five-on-five, the trio posted a stellar 79.73 xGF%. Scoring chances were 5-2 in favor of the Devils with the top line on the ice while high-danger chances were 3-0. Individually, Mercer led Devils’ skaters with a 84.59 xGF% at five-on-five.
For this trio, the win over Pittsburgh continued a trend of great play together. Over the course of the season, the line of Mercer, Hischier, and Tatar have posted a 68.55 xGF% and a 68.63 HDCF% in 225 minutes of five-on-five ice time.
Hughes’ Line Outstanding As Well
Not to be outdone, the Devils “second line” had a tremendous night as well. The unit of Jesper Bratt, Jack Hughes, and Ondrej Palat posted a 66.65 xGF%
Even more impressive was the trio’s dominance in terms of five-on-five scoring chances. Chances were 13-2 in the Devils’ favor with that line on the ice, while high-danger chances were 6-0.
The strength of the Devils is their young, 1-2 center punch of Jack Hughes and Nico Hischier. When those two are driving play like they did against Pittsburgh, NJ is so difficult to beat.
Marino-Graves Pairing Shines
Defensively, the John Marino and Ryan Graves pairing had the best numbers for NJ. At five-on-five, the duo both had an xGF% north of 72.00, with Marino having an 80.44 xGF%. That mark was third-best among all Devils’ skaters behind only Dawson Mercer and Michael McLeod.
Meier Line Struggles
While it was a dominant night across the board for the Devils, the third line of Timo Meier, Erik Haula, and Jesper Boqvist had a rough game. In 9:36 of ice time together at five-on-five, the trio posted a brutal 7.99 xGF% and were out-chanced 5-3. High-danger chances were 4-0 in favor of the Penguins with the Meier line out there at five-on-five.
Unfortunately for the Devils, this combination has not quite clicked since the acquisition of Meier. In 35 five-on-five minutes together, the trio has just a 41.80 xGF% and a 38.10 HDCF%. That is a relatively small sample size given Meier has played just 17 games with New Jersey, but it is notable, especially compared to Meier’s play as a whole.
Throughout those 17 games, regardless of linemates, Meier has posted a 62.71 xGF% and a 64.08 HDCF% at five-on-five, a massive boost from his numbers with Haula and Boqvist.
What’s Next
The Devils stay home to host the Blue Jackets on Thursday. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. ET on MSGSN.
Note: All statistics via Natural Stat Trick.