The New Jersey Devils’ power play was scoreless coming into Monday night against the Columbus Blue Jackets. They ended that drought quickly.
Even better?
They forced a drought in Columbus, killing every single one of their penalties, giving Columbus almost no ice to work with down a man.
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With the power play coming to life, and a pair of Devils skaters staying hot, New Jersey captured their third win of the season, and collected four of a possible six points on the road. If only the road trip didn’t end with a touch of pessimism, losing Jake Allen after 40 minutes of superb play.
Here’s how the Devils earned the victory over the Blue Jackets.
First Period
Through the first six minutes of the opening period, it was even ice between the Devils and Blue Jackets.
However, that was until a high-stick by Dougie Hamilton on Miles Wood drew blood on the ex-Devil, sending New Jersey to a four-minute penalty kill.
Despite having the man advantage, the Blue Jackets came up empty-handed as a result of a strong penalty kill, Jake Allen making four saves on four shots.
The Blue Jackets drew another penalty after Brett Pesce was called for hooking Mathieu Olivier. Yet, Dawson Mercer’s speed drew another hooking infraction, and when Pesce’s penalty expired, New Jersey went to the power play.
Hamilton’s shot from the top of the right circle reached Jet Greaves, the rebound bounced out to Jesper Bratt, fed Jack Hughes who dumped it to Timo Meier, who scored the Devils’ first power play goal of the season, sending New Jersey into the first intermission with a 1-0 lead.
Second Period
After a fast, 26-shot first period between the Devils and Blue Jackets, the second period started off far more mild.
That was until Jack Hughes turned the puck over at the Columbus blueline to Kirill Marchenko. Sprung for a breakaway, Marchenko made no mistake and beat Allen to knot the game at a goal each.
Cole Sillinger, however, was quickly whistled for a hook on Luke Hughes after Marchenko’s goal. The Devils converted yet again, as Arseny Gritsyuk fed Dawson Mercer on an odd-man rush, beating Greaves to take back a one-goal lead.
Simon Nemec was later called for a hook on Boone Jenner. Yet, the Devils’ penalty kill remained strong, killing off the third of three penalties, and sending Columbus into the second intermission still chasing a goal.
Third Period
The third period began with a surprising development. Allen, who has a strong 40 minutes, was absent when the Devils and Blue Jackets re-emerged for the final frame. Jacob Markstrom took over in goal with the Devils holding a 2-1 lead.
Gritsyuk was called for an early hold, and sat for his first NHL penalty. Fortunately, the penalty kill stayed hot, keeping the puck out of the net and went 5/5 on the night.
The Blue Jackets pulled Greaves with 2:25 to go in the third period for the extra attacker. They certainly applied pressure, too. However, the Devils’ defense displayed patience and poise, and eventually gained possession of the puck. With the net empty, Mercer scored his second goal of the game and of the season.
Yet, with 20 seconds on the board, Dmitri Voronkov poked a loose puck by Markstrom, and brought Columbus back within one goal.
Hamilton iced the puck late, and gave the Blue Jackets one more shot on offense with 10 seconds remaining in the period. Yet, the buzzer sounded, and the Devils earned their second victory in as many games, capturing four of a possible six points on the road.
Allen made 23/24 saves before he was pulled for cramping.
Markstrom made 8/9 saves in relief.
