Heading into their game on Saturday, March 15, both the New Jersey Devils and the Pittsburgh Penguins were on three-game winning streaks. The Penguins extended their win streak to four games by handing the Devils a 7-3 loss.
Glass Kicked Devils Off
Halfway into the first period, the Devils were the first team to get onto the scoreboard. Luke Hughes sent the puck around the boards, where it found Jesper Bratt. He passed to Cody Glass, who was to his left. In front of the net, he took a shot, and the puck found its home in the back of the net.
Glass recently joined the Devils on March 7, the last day of the trade deadline. In his fourth game with the Devils, he has now earned four points. His plus/minus also sits at plus-5. He is already averaging 14:49 of total ice time, the most in any of his five previous seasons.
Despite a late acquisition, he has been a solid bottom-six forward for the Devils. Centering the third line with Daniel Sprong and Bratt this game, Glass is finding his footing in New Jersey.
2 PPGs to Bring Devils Within 1
While Glass kicked off the scoring, the Penguins scored four goals before the Devils could score again. Although the Penguins received a two-minute minor in both the first and second periods, it was the two double-minors that the Penguins took in the third where the Devils were able to find success.
With two minutes left on their first four-minute power play, Timo Meier let a shot fly. Tristan Jarry made the save, but Simon Nemec recovered the rebound at the blue line. He passed it up to Bratt, who sent it into the center of the ice for Meier. With his second shot in ten seconds, Meier scored the second goal for New Jersey.
Related: Jarry & Penguins Win 4th Straight in 7-3 Victory Over Devils
Immediately following the second goal, the Penguins received another double-minor for a high stick, which the Devils made quick work of capitalizing on. Bratt controlled the puck by the boards and passed the puck to Meier at the blue line. He sent it back to Bratt, who dropped it right back down for Hughes at the blue line. Hughes took the shot, but it was Nico Hischier, who was in front of the net, who directed the puck into the back of the net with a tip-in.
These two power-play goals brought the Devils within one goal. However, the Penguins had other plans. Recording a power-play goal, an empty-net goal, and a final goal mere seconds before the buzzer, Pittsburgh made sure the Devils did not take this victory.
Bratt Making History
Bratt recorded an assist on all three goals of the game. Currently sitting at 60 total assists for the season, he is about to make Devils history.
Record tying!
— Amanda Stein (@amandacstein) March 15, 2025
Jesper Bratt picks up two power play assists and he now has 60 assists this season. That ties the #NJDevils franchise record for single-season assist total.
That record has been standing since 1992-93 (Stevens).
It will be broken by Bratt.
For over 30 years, Scott Stevens has held the record for the most assists in a single season. Now that Bratt has tied the record, and with 14 games left to go in the season, Bratt will hold the new record by the end of the season.
Points Matter Now More Than Ever for Devils
The two points the Devils lost out on here are a devastating loss. The Devils sit in the third playoff spot in the Metropolitan Division. However, the other divisional teams are creeping closer. Only six points separate New Jersey from the New York Rangers, while eight points separate New Jersey from the Columbus Blue Jackets. The three-game winning streak was a huge pick-me-up for the Devils, but they will need to find that momentum again if they hope to stay in their playoff spot.
On the Road Again
The Devils will continue traveling as they take on the Blue Jackets on Monday, March 17.
