Make it eight in a row for the New Jersey Devils.
With the Colorado Avalanche in town, the Devils faced their toughest test of the season. In the first of a home-and-home matchup, Sheldon Keefe surprised everyone with Jacob Markstrom returning to the lineup to back up Jake Allen.
Allen wouldn’t need the support, however, converting on his seventh win of the season as the Devils won in overtime 4-3.
Let’s get to how it happened.
First Period
It was a tale of two halves in the opening frame, as the Devils jumped out to a hot start against a road-weary Colorado team coming off a loss in Boston the previous afternoon. That early momentum paid off when Arseny Gritsyuk finished a gorgeous backhand feed from Timo Meier, giving the Devils a 1–0 lead — Gritsyuk’s first career 5-on-5 goal.
The good times kept rolling just 39 seconds later, as Jack Hughes doubled New Jersey’s lead with a wrist shot off the rush that beat Colorado goalie Trent Miner for his seventh goal of the season.
But a battle-tested Stanley Cup contender like the Avalanche wasn’t going to stay down for long. After some sustained pressure, Valeri Nichushkin tucked a rebound past Jake Allen to get Colorado on the board. A few minutes later, superstar Nathan MacKinnon cleaned up a loose puck behind Allen to tie the game — a score that would hold into the first intermission. Shots after 20 were tied 10-10 apiece, but with no penalties for either squad.
Second Period
Coming off of their first period rally, Colorado started the new frame guns blazing. They outshot New Jersey 9-3 in the second period, and despite drawing two Devils penalties, could not solve Allen in net. The Devils, however, made the most of their three shots on net, as Connor Brown sniped home a breakaway attempt to give New Jersey a 3-2 lead, which they would not relinquish after 40 minutes. Of note, Brett Pesce did not return for the second period after leaving the game late in the first.
Third Period
It was a frustrating third period for the Devils, as despite outshooting Colorado 9-5, the Avalanche were able to tie the game. Brock Nelson was left all alone in the slot, and NJ native Ross Colton set him up to beat Allen for the equalizer. The Devils pushed hard to get the go-ahead marker late, but couldn’t solve Miner, and thus, both teams would secure a point.
Overtime
If you’re a hockey fan in general, a Devils–Avalanche 3-on-3 overtime is a dream come true — a showcase of elite talent from both sides with open ice to create something special. Ultimately, though, the difference-maker was none other than Jack Hughes. After undressing Cale Makar on the rush but lifting a backhand just wide, the puck found its way to Simon Nemec, who spotted Jack all alone in front. With trademark patience, Hughes buried the game-winner, sending The Rock into pandemonium and the Devils to their eighth consecutive victory.
Both teams will now head back to Denver, with a rematch between these two powerhouses set for 9 p.m. EST on Tuesday at Ball Arena.
