Against all odds, the New Jersey Devils (8-1-0) extended their win streak to eight games after a dramatic 4–3 overtime victory Sunday over the Colorado Avalanche (5-1-4). Facing perhaps their toughest opponent of the season, New Jersey battled through adversity, including blowing two separate leads and losing a top defenseman to injury, to pull out a gritty matinee win.
Recap
First Period
The Devils came out firing, and it didn’t take long for their rookie sensation to make an impact. Arseny Gritsyuk made a great play along the wall to keep the puck alive, then went skate-to-stick and ripped home his second goal in the last three games.
Just 39 seconds later, Jack Hughes came streaking down the right wing and sniped one past Trent Miner to make it 2–0 Devils.
The Avalanche didn’t back down. A fortunate bounce found Valeri Nichushkin alone in front, and he picked the top corner to cut the lead in half.
The Devils with their backs against the wall were just trying to get to intermission with the lead, but the Avalanche’s superstar had other plans. On another lucky bounce the puck found its way behind Jake Allen and Nathan McKinnon tapped it in to tie the game heading to the second period.
Second Period
The second period was much more uneventful than the first. The Devils were getting outplayed, collecting only three shots the entire period.
That didn’t stop Connor Brown, however, as he found himself all by himself on Miner. The first-year Devil buried the breakaway chance to give the Devils back the lead going into the final 20 minutes.
Third Period
The Devils were fighting through the first 14 minutes of the first period trying to close out the game. However, just when it looked like the Devils might squeeze out a regulation win they lost track of Brock Nelson who slipped in front of goal and tied it. The former Islander forward scored his second goal of the season was a backbreaking one. Despite a late push from New Jersey, was enough to send this game to overtime.
Overtime
The Devils took possession first in the extra frame and nearly ended it when Dougie Hamilton and Jesper Bratt broke in on a two-on-one, but Colorado’s rookie goaltender made his best save of the night to keep it tied.
New Jersey refused to be denied, though. Simon Nemec forced a turnover along the boards and fed Jack Hughes, who skated in alone and buried his second goal of the game, and eighth of the season, to seal an eighth straight victory for the Devils.
Game Notes
More Injury
The Devils, who already have suffered multiple injuries throughout the first couple of weeks, saw Brett Pesce go down in the first period after blocking a shot. The Devils were forced to play the rest of the game with six defensemen.
After the game, head coach Sheldon Keefe said that Pesce is “not great,” and will not travel with the team on their upcoming four game road trip. New Jersey, who is already playing without Jonathan Kovacevic, will now most likely be without another one of their key defenseman for the foreseeable future.
Some good news came on the injury front today though. Jacob Markström, who has missed the last six games with a lower body injury, backed up Jake Allen Sunday and seems poised to make his return on the Devils upcoming road trip.
Another Statement Win
The Devils winning eight straight games is no fluke and is certainly not the result of an easy schedule. After the win today, six of the Devils eight wins have come against teams that made the playoffs last year. The Devils’ opponents on the win streak averaged 44 wins and 93 points last year. If you take out the Sharks, that increases to 47 wins and 99 points.
The Devils going 8-1-0 during this nine game gauntlet to begin the season is a dream start and very promising for the rest of the year.
What’s Next?
The Devils will take the road in a rematch with the Avalanche on Tuesday at 9:00 pm ET.