Devils Postgame
Struggling Devils Defeat Bruins 5-1, But It’s Costly
The New Jersey Devils break their four-game losing streak, defeating the Boston Bruins 5-1. However, it comes at a major cost.
NEWARK—Even in their wins, the New Jersey Devils are suffering major losses.
The Devils honored former Stanley Cup winning head coach Jacques Lemaire before puck drop with the Boston Bruins by admitting him into their Ring of Honor.
The Devils went into the first intermission down 1-0 on a goal scored by Bruins forward Morgan Geekie.
Shortly after the Devils tied the game in the second period thanks to Dawson Mercer, Justin Brazeau rushed the puck toward New Jersey’s zone and crashed the New Jersey net. Unfortunately, Brazeau took Jacob Markstrom down in the process, which resulted in the 34-year-old netminder to stay down on the ice in his crease with an injury.
After the refs blew the whistle, Markstrom struggled to get off the ice on his own, putting little to no pressure on his left leg. He left the game and Jake Allen took his place.
READ MORE: Uh-oh! Devils Jacob Markstrom Suffers Scary Injury; Leaves Game vs. Bruins
Brazeau received a goaltender interference penalty, and the Devils quickly made Boston pay. A Dougie Hamilton one-timer finished a cross-ice pass by Jesper Bratt on the power play to give New Jersey their first lead of the game.
The Devils then rode that wave of momentum through the remainder of the second period. Johnathan Kovacevic drew another penalty for the Devils, a hooking call on Bruins Charlie Coyle. As a result, Stefan Noesen buried a rebound chance created by Nico Hischier to extend the Devils’ lead 3-1.
12 seconds later, Dawson Mercer scored his second goal of the game, insuring the Devils’ lead by three, sending the contest into the second intermission in favor of New Jersey 4-1.
The Devils’ second period effort was so dominant, they out-shot the bruins 17-10, and owned a 15-6 scoring chance differential.
The Bruins made a push in the third period, matching New Jersey’s effort in the shot and scoring chance department. However, Nico Hischier capitalized on New Jersey’s sixth power play chance to extend their lead 5-1.
New Jersey went 3/6 on the man advantage against the Bruins. It was their second time scoring multiple power play goals in the last four games.
Markstrom made six saves on seven shots in 23:09 of playing time before Allen replaced the injured New Jersey goaltender. Allen was a perfect 16/16 in relief, turning aside three power play chances by the Bruins.
Allen captured his first win since Nov.23rd.
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