On Tuesday, April 15, the New Jersey Devils took on the Boston Bruins at TD Garden. It was a back-and-forth battle, but the Devils ultimately won the game 5-4 in overtime. Not only did they win this game, but they also won the season series. The Devils have now snapped their three-game losing streak, which started with a loss to the Bruins on Tuesday, April 8.
Devils Capitalized on the Power Play
The Bruins took three penalties, giving the Devils three chances on the power play. New Jersey capitalized on two of those chances.
Two minutes into the second period, Fabian Lysell took a seat for hooking Simon Nemec. As the power play began dwindling, Timo Meier received the puck off a pass from Jesper Bratt. Meier took a shot, and it appeared as though Jeremy Swayman had caught it. The puck was loose between his legs, and Nico Hischier knocked it free. Stefan Noesen, from in front of the goal, tipped the puck into the net to tie the game with 15 seconds left on the power play.
Later in the second period, Vinni Lettieri took a seat for holding Brett Pesce. Early into the extra man advantage, Luke Hughes sent the puck across the ice for Hischier. Hischier took the shot, but once again, someone was in front of the net to clean up the play. Dawson Mercer deflected the shot into the net to give the Devils their fourth goal.
With these two power-play goals, the Devils have 60 for the season. They are tied with the Tampa Bay Lightning for fourth place in the league for the most power-play goals. The Devils ensure their extra man advantage does not go to waste.
Two Utica Comets Combined for a Goal
Between the two power-play goals, two players who typically play with the Utica Comets, the Devils’ American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, teamed up to score the Devils’ third goal. 30 seconds after Noesen’s goal, Marc McLaughlin won the faceoff for the Devils and sent the puck Nemec’s way. Nemec didn’t hesitate and took a shot. The puck flew through the traffic in front of him and bounced off Swayman’s blocker into the back of the net.
Related: Devils Recall Marc McLaughlin From Utica
In McLaughlin’s first game with the Devils, he recorded his first point with the team. He previously played for the Bruins, so getting a point against his former team must have felt good.
This goal marked Nemec’s second of the season. In 26 games, he also has two assists under his belt for four points this season. With a minus-9 for the season, Nemec has not had the most positive on-ice performance. His goal in this game ended up giving him a neutral zero, as he was on the ice for a Boston goal. Nemec’s goal here is a start, but if he expects to get regular ice time during the playoffs, he will need to step up his performance.
Dumoulin Put the Game Away
Although the Devils held a one-goal lead heading into the third period, the Bruins scored an early goal to tie the game. With no other goals in the final 20 minutes, the game went into overtime to decide the winner.
A minute and a half into the 3-on-3, Mercer skated the puck into the Devils’ offensive zone. He dropped it down for Brian Dumoulin, who took a shot from the faceoff circle. The puck flew past Swayman and into the back of the net to give the Devils two points for this game.
This goal marked Dumoulin’s first of the season with New Jersey. A late acquisition on the day of the trade deadline, March 7, Dumoulin has since played in 18 games with the Devils and earned five assists. With his goal in this game, he has six points with New Jersey for the season.
Dumoulin’s early overtime goal marked the Devils’ sixth overtime win of the season. In the 13 games they have played that entered overtime, they have won just about half. Although they have lost seven overtime games, those seven points certainly made a difference in the playoff standings, since they have clinched a spot while other teams are still vying for their chance at the postseason.
Devils Play One More at Home
The Devils will play their final game of the regular season tonight, when they host the Detroit Red Wings.
