In their third game played in overtime this season, the New Jersey Devils have earned back-to-back victories in the extra frame of action under head coach John Hynes. It was also the team’s first victory at home during the 2015-16 season.
Tuesday’s victory was backed by an outstanding performance from Devils center Travis Zajac (1G-2A). It was his first multi-point game since his first career hat trick against the Florida Panthers on March 31st, 2014 at Prudential Center. Zajac played 21:03 on Tuesday evening and tallied three points and three shots on goal.
“We came out attacking in the first two periods,” Zajac said . “We got into penalty-killing trouble in the third but battled through it and got a win. We’re a team that’s going to need different guys contributing on different nights and we’re going to have to win collectively as a group so it’s just nice to contribute.”
Adam Larsson scored the game-winning goal 43 seconds after the conclusion of regulation play, assisted by Zajac and Lee Stempniak. It was Larsson’s first goal of the season and second point of the evening, as he had an assist on Zajac’s shorthanded tally in the 2nd period.
Larsson led all Devils in ice time with 23:55. He had a +2 rating, blocked three shots, and had only one shot on goal – which turned out to be the game winner.
Devils head coach John Hynes is “surprised” with Larsson, noting his “consistency and professionalism”.
“What’s been surprising with him the most is his professionalism,” Hynes said. “He’s an everyday guy. He’s really focused and he has the details around the game in order. He’s very fit, he takes care of himself and he has a lot of attention to detail off the ice. He watches his shifts and it’s all on his own initiative as a young player. Then, you see his talent level. I think that consistency and professionalism has really helped him get off to a good start this year. It has been real impressive to watch this as a coaching staff.”
For Arizona, Anthony Duclair and Mikkel Boedker each scored in the 3rd period. Duclair tied the game exactly 74 seconds after New Jersey took the lead in the 2nd period, while Boedker’s tally sent the game into extra minutes with 50.9 remaining in regulation.
“He needed a goal,” Coyotes head coach Dave Tippett said. :It was a big goal for us. The overtime goal [by New Jersey] was poor execution by us.”
The Devils will head up to Ottawa on Thursday and Buffalo on Saturday for a two-game road trip to close out the week. Be sure to keep your eye on our website, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram pages for all of the latest updates leading up to the game.
Credits to Mike Morreale, Rich Chere, and the New Jersey Devils public relations department for the quotes and statistics.
Nick Papadimas is a New Jersey native, New Jersey Devils season ticket holder, and avid hockey fan. He is an aspiring sports journalist who has covered high school sports and local events for TAPinto.net since 2012. Nick can be reached on Twitter (@ngpaps) or by e-mail at papadimasn@icloud.com.