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A Night for Nico | POST-GAME REPORT
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Daws
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Head Coach Lindy Ruff
WHAT'S NEXT
The Devils complete the second half of back-to-back road contests in Chicago Friday night. The game can be seen on MSG+ and heard on the Devils Hockey Network, including right here at NewJerseyDevils.com. Puck drop is 8:38 p.m. ET.
Here are some observations from the game...
- The Devils offense exploded to open the game, scoring three goals in the opening 6:44 minutes (with the three tallies coming in a 5:28-span). Bratt scored twice, his team-leading 15th and 16th of the season, while Sharangovich added his 11th of the year. Most impressive was the manner in which the team scored. They did it with speed, with nasty snipes and with broken plays.
On the opening goal, Nico Hischier and Bratt had a 2-on-1 rush. Hischier's attempted cross-ice pass was broken up, but he managed to recollect the puck and somehow work it (pinball style) to the opposite side of the post where Bratt batted it in.
On the second goal, Dougie Hamilton (returning to the lineup) pinched into the zone and forced an errant puck play. The puck ended up on the stick of Bratt in the far circle and he ripped a beautiful shot into the far top corner. Hamilton did not get an assist on the play, but it was his effort that forced the turnover.
On the third goal, the Penguins had a coverage breakdown and left Sharangovich all alone at the crease. P.K. Subban was able to get him the puck and he buried another perfectly placed shot far side.
"A lot of times I talk about execution and puck play," head coach Lindy Ruff said. "When your puck play is off it really hurts your team. I thought our puck play and how fast we skated up ice was something that they couldn't handle."
- Rookie goaltender Nico Daws got the start, and also picked up his second career NHL victory. The 21-year-old tender had several incredible stops, including a shoulder save on Bryan Rust, a sliding pad save on Dominik Simon and a point-blank denial of Evan Rodrigues.
"That was a tough game. A lot of shots," Daws said. "That helps early as a goalie to feel the puck and gain some confidence early. I was busy out there."
"Nice was really strong for us," Ruff said. "Especially in the second period when they had a really hard push. He had four or five really good saves to help maintain that big league we built up."
- Dawson Mercer recorded his first-career three-point game (1G-2A) in his previous contest vs. Tampa Bay and carried that over against the Penguins. Playing with Jack Hughes has opened up a lot of ice for Mercer to make plays and be creative. Hughes made a gorgeous pass from below the offensive goal line, nearly making a behind-the-legs pass to Mercer at the side of the net. Mercer connected with a perfect shot to the far post and in.
- Devils defenseman Damon Severson had a great game at both ends of the ice. On the defensive side, he made a goal-saving play when he reached out his stick to deflect a Brock McGinn shot wide. Daws was out of the play and McGinn would have had an open net. Offensively, Severson buried a heavy slap shot from the blue line to score on the power play.
- What another incredible game for captain Hischier. He had a three-point night (1G-2A) and has points in five of his past six games (6G-3A-9PTS).
- The Devils got a little bit healthier against Pittsburgh with three players returning from injury. Bratt (2G) and Hamilton (+2) both had impacts in their return, and Johnsson was also solid.
- A quiet three-assist night for Hughes.
