The New Jersey Devils hosted the Vancouver Canucks on Monday night, and despite a close game, the Canucks sealed the 4-3 victory in the fourth round of the shootout. The teams split their season series 1-1, with the Devils winning their first matchup in Vancouver in October.
Meier Had Two Big Goals
The Devils scored their first goal of the game on their second power-play opportunity. Jesper Bratt received the puck from Dawson Mercer and passed it right back to Mercer. Mercer took a shot in front of the net, which was saved by Thatcher Demko, but Timo Meier recovered the rebound and buried his shot.
Halfway through the third period, Nico Hischier, on a breakaway, passed the puck down to Brenden Dillon. Dillon took a shot that bounced off the boards straight to Meier, who was in front of the net. Meier took a shot and scored his second goal of the night to give his team the lead.
Meier has four goals in his last five games. With Jack Hughes out, he has earned more responsibility, playing right wing on the first line alongside Hischier and Erik Haula. The trio have stepped up their performance, and head coach Sheldon Keefe knows it, which is why the line is still intact.
Goals For Haula in Three Straight Games
Speaking of Haula, he is on a three-game goal-scoring streak. Off the face-off, Brian Dumoulin gained control of the puck and took a shot, which was blocked by Demko. Haula picked up the loose puck and shot it into the net.
Related: Canucks Claw Past Devils for Dramatic 4-3 Shootout Win
Haula has four points in his last five games while playing on the first line. Before this, he was mostly playing in the bottom-six with nine goals and 17 points through 59 games this season. However, he has stepped up his performance and has been rewarded with a spot in the top six.
Markstrom Extends Losing Streak
While Haula has three goals in three games, Jacob Markstrom recorded his third loss in as many games. Markstrom made 25 saves, allowing three goals on 28 shots, for a .893 save percentage (SV%) – his highest SV% in his last five games.
Canucks forward Jake DeBrusk scored first in the shootout. Markstrom didn’t allow a goal in the second or third rounds, but Jonathan Lekkerimaki took advantage in the fourth. Markstrom came too far out of his crease, and Lekkerimaki’s high shot found the back of the net. Markstrom was unhappy with his performance and broke his stick against the goalpost after Lekkerimaki’s goal.
Markstrom has one win in seven games this month since returning from injury. It might be time for Jake Allen to take over the starter’s role again. In four games this month, Allen has three victories. While not every game can result in a win, Allen has been the stronger goaltender for the Devils in March.
Devils Hit the Road
The Devils play their next three games on the road, including a matchup against the Chicago Blackhawks at the United Center on Wednesday, March 26, before they face the Winnipeg Jets on Friday, March 28. The following day, they will be in Minnesota to take on the Wild.
While the Blackhawks have already been eliminated from playoff contention, the Jets and the Wild are ranked first and fourth in the Central Division, respectively. As the playoff race continues, the Devils will want to pick up points in these three games to solidify their third-place ranking in the Metropolitan Division.
