New Jersey Devils Solidify Eastern Conference Lead
The New Jersey Devils have solidified their standing at the top of the Eastern Conference, boasting an impressive 11-4-0 record and maintaining a flawless home performance with a 7-0-0 tally after edging the Pittsburgh Penguins in a shootout. Despite the loss, the Penguins, currently ranked third in the conference, managed to secure one point during their visit to Newark.
Game Highlights
The game’s early momentum shifted in favor of the Devils, thanks to rookie Arseny Gritsyuk, who found the net for his third goal of the season late in the first period. However, the Penguins quickly responded in the second period when Ryan Graves, a former Devil, scored against his previous team, marking his first goal of the season.
After regulation and the overtime session ended without a goal, the match proceeded to a shootout. In light of various injuries within the team, the Devils adjusted their lineup, which included combinations such as Stefan Noesen alongside Jack Hughes and Jesper Bratt, and Timo Meier paired with Nico Hischier and Dawson Mercer.
Notably, defenseman Colton White made his season debut after being absent from NHL play since the 2022-23 season. His return saw limited ice time, with one shot on goal recorded in just under ten minutes of play.
A concerning moment occurred when captain Nico Hischier faced a puck directly to the face and was temporarily sidelined for evaluation, allowing Jack Hughes to step into the lineup during his absence.
Decisive Shootout
“In the decisive shootout, the Devils emerged victorious thanks to goals from Paul Cotter and Jesper Bratt, while goalie Jake Allen exhibited remarkable skill, stopping 33 out of 34 shots, including a key save against Sidney Crosby that clinched the win.”
Penguins goaltender Arturs Silovs also made notable saves, particularly on attempts from Hughes.
Looking Ahead
With this victory, the Devils are not only seeking to match their franchise record of eight consecutive home wins to start a season, established by the 1987-88 team, but they also boast an 8-0-0 record whenever scoring first this season. Their ongoing momentum includes overtime victories against Colorado, Montreal, and now Pittsburgh in recent home games.
Looking ahead, the Devils will aim to extend their home success when they host the New York Islanders, with the puck set to drop at 4 p.m. on Monday evening.
