After sweeping their California road trip, the momentum ended. The Seattle Kraken (27-14-4) defeated the New Jersey Devils (29-12-4) in overtime. In comeback fashion, the Devils secured a point with 1:15 left in the game, but Seattle would finish the job in overtime. The Devils head home after completing a successful West Coast road trip.
Game Summary
First Period
After looking sharp in the early going, it was the Seattle Kraken who got things started. After Will Borgen fired a pass length of the ice, Ryan Donato ripped a snapshot from the top of the circle to make it 1-0. Both teams continued to generate chances and what was a high-event period. As the horn would sound, the score would remain 1-0.
Second Period
The period started the same way as the last, with the Kraken scoring a goal. Off a bad pinch by Nikita Okhotiuk, Ryan Donato skated in two-on-one and roofed a snap shot top shelf for his second of the game.
Shortly after that, the Devils responded. After finding the loose puck, Jesper Bratt found Damon Severson for his fourth of the year. Once the horn sounded, the Devils would trail 2-1.
Third Period
Throughout the course of the season, the Devils have been a great third-period team. They tied the game on a short-handed goal by Erik Haula after receiving a great pass by Dawson Mercer.
Less than two minutes later, Seattle responded. Ryan Donato slid a cross ice pass over to Brandon Tanev for the tap-in goal.
In the dying moments of the game and they net empty, Nico Hischier tied the game. The Devils would secure a point and the two teams headed to overtime.
Overtime
Overtime ended early and quick. Andre Burakovsky glided past the Devils’ defense and slid the puck through the five hole of Blackwood. Seattle emerged victoriously 4-3.
Wrap Up
The New Jersey Devils drop the game to the Seattle Kraken by a score of 4-3. The Devils got goals from Haula, Severson and Hischier. Heading home as they went 3-0-1 on this west coast road swing and 4-0-1 overall taking 9/10 possible points.
Game Notes
- Despite the loss, the line of Nico Hischier, Jesper Bratt, and Ondrej Palat was excellent. As a line, they had the best possession numbers and generated a lot of good chances. The trio owned team’s best expected goals-for percentage as a line at 52.89. They also led the team in ice time.
- Mackenzie Blackwood was good, for the most part, the game. He stopped 36 of 40 shots. In addition, Blackwood finished the game with a 1.19 goals saved above expected. Blackwood also had a .909 save percentage in the high-danger area of the ice.
What’s Next?
The Devils return home and take on the Pittsburgh Penguins Sunday afternoon.