Devils Postgame
Bratt Leads the Way; Devils Find Scoring Touch in Pivotal Win vs. Blue Jackets
The New Jersey Devils found the scoring touch when it mattered most, taking down the Columbus Blue Jackets in a pivotal matchup.
With playoff implications and a rocking atmosphere to boot, the New Jersey Devils entered tonight’s contest against the Columbus Blue Jackets with just a four point buffer. After Sunday afternoon’s win against the Philadelphia Flyers, the Devils hoped to carry some momentum and separate themselves from the pack of teams fighting over Wild Card spots.
Head coach Sheldon Keefe made two changes from the last game: turning to Jacob Markstrom in net while inserting Paul Cotter back into the lineup in place of the recently acquired Daniel Sprong.
Meanwhile, the red-hot Columbus Blue Jackets turned to Elvis Merzlikins in goal, who put up one of the more impressive performances the last time these two teams met, stopping 40 of 42 in a Blue Jackets win.
READ: Devils Coach Makes Surprising Lineup Change Before Crucial Game vs. Blue Jackets
The Devils did well early on in the first period, pressuring the Blue Jackets and forcing turnovers. Despite no high-danger chances, they had a handful of half-chances, but most importantly, they had their legs early.
They skated their way to an early power play opportunity and cashed in. Moments after Timo Meier hit the post on a one-time, a Jesper Bratt shot pass was tipped in past Merzlikins by the captain Nico Hischier for his 27th goal of the season to give the Devils a 1-0 lead.
A Cotter holding penalty almost killed all the Devils’ momentum right in its tracks. However, a terrific kill was capped off when Cotter bounced on a puck in his own zone and took it the other way for a breakaway before going to his backhand to slide the puck between Merzlikins’ legs. The goal got the Prudential Center up on its feet as the Devils took a 2-0 lead.
The biggest roar of the night came on a non-hockey related event. The long-awaited first win of the season for Mrs. Fields in the dessert race finally came, as she crossed the finish line first at the very last moment. An event that will be talked about for the rest of the season.
The vibes coming off of Mrs. Fields’s win continued on as Jesper Bratt swept a puck underneath the pads of Merzlikins to give the Devils a 3-0 lead late in the first period.
After one dominant period of play, the Devils led 3-0 on the big board, as well as owning the shots advantage 11-7.
The Blue Jackets came out angry to start the second period, controlling play and the puck.
After multiple shifts of sustained pressure, Markstrom was finally beaten after Mathieu Olivier redirected a Denton Mateychuk shot to cut the Devils’ lead to 3-1.
It went from bad to worse as the Blue Jackets continued to control play. Adam Fantilli danced through the Devils’ zone before finding a cutting Kiril Marchenko, who backhanded past a sprawling Markstrom to make it 3-2.
READ MORE: Concern O’Meter: How Devils Feel About Themselves After NHL Trade Deadline
The Devils and Blue Jackets traded power plays and scoring chances, but neither side was able to capitalize on the man-advantage.
After regaining some of the momentum back, Meier restored the Devils’ two-goal lead. The Blue Jackets had the Devils hemmed in their own zone, but a quick breakout pass by Stefan Noesen sprung Meier and Dawson Mercer on a two-on-one, which Meier capped off by ripping the puck far-side to make it 4-2.
It was a rocky start to the second period, but the Devils were able to re-find their legs and right the ship. After two, the led 4-2 and outshot the Blue Jackets 22-14.
The Devils put their foot on the gas right out of the gates to start the third, as Luke Hughes wired a shot top shelf from the top of the circle to make it 5-2. The lone Hughes brother out there recorded his second point of the night with a goal, his sixth of the season. Bratt also recorded his second assist and third point of the night on Luke’s third period tally.
The Blue Jackets were able to get one back midway through the second when Olivier shot it in tight, rolled up and over Markstrom for an unlucky goal. Olivier’s second of the game made it a 5-3 game.
Despite the quick scare, the Devils were able to see out the win and take a six-point lead in the standings over the Blue Jackets.
Markstrom led the way in net, stopping 17 of 20, while Bratt led the team in scoring with a goal and an assist as the Devils came out victorious on home ice, 5-3.
For more Devils news, visit New Jersey Hockey Now, subscribe to our YouTube and like our Facebook page.
Follow us on 𝕏:
@NJDHockeyNow, @JamesNicholsNHL, @NickNatale10
And on Threads:
