New Jersey's Pavel Zacha scored with 2:44 remaining in regulation to help the Devils earn a point in an eventual 4-3 seven-round shootout loss to the New York Rangers Sunday night at Madison Square Garden.
Devils' goal scorers were Jesper Bratt, Dougie Hamilton and Zacha.
"We never gave up. We kept pushing," Zacha said. "That's a good sign when you can come back in those games."
Adam Fox, Alexis Lafreniere and Kaapo Kakko tallied for the Rangers. Chris Kreider scored the shootout-deciding tally.
Devils' Comeback Earns Point in Shootout Loss to Rangers | GAME STORY
Pavel Zacha's late third-period goal forced overtime and earned New Jersey a point in an eventual seven-round shootout loss
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The Devils return home to host the Ottawa Senators Tuesday night at Prudential Center. The game can be seen on MSG+ and heard on the Devils Hockey Network, including right here at NewJerseyDevils.com. Puck drop is 7:08 p.m. ET.
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Here are some observations from the game...
- Last year, the Devils found themselves down in the third period and came close, but often couldn't find that game-tying goal. This year, they've already scored three late third-period goals to force overtime (Los Angeles, San Jose). The late regulation hero this time around was Zacha, who got the puck in the slot, shot and followed up on his own rebound with the tally.
"It turns out to be a real good point for our club," head coach Lindy Ruff said. "To bounce back, score late. We have to take the points. Last year, we didn't bounce back. This year, there have been two or three where we've been able to get points out of games, get a couple points out of games. It's important we get points when we can. We would have liked to get two."
- The Devils took advantage of a Rangers miscue and used some nice skills to score the game's opening goal. With New Jersey breaking out of its own zone, New York's Chris Kreider found himself as the high man. But instead of backing off as Jesper Bratt was sprinting up ice, he allowed him to continue in his lane unimpeded.
Rookie Dawson Mercer saw Bratt streaking with no one ahead of him and sent a perfect pass up ice and onto the stick of Bratt for a breakaway. Bratt had previously used some spectacular deke moves on his previous breakaways this season. Perhaps with that in mind, Bratt opted instead on this occasion to snap off a quick shot at the five-hole. In fact, Rangers goalie Alexandar Georgiev anticipated a deke so hard that he barely moved as the puck sailed through his legs.
Great anticipation and read by Mercer to know Bratt would be in the clear and then the execution on the pass was flawless. Also, heads up play by Bratt to use the quick snap instead of a deke.
"Kreider came off the bench and we transitioned up," Mercer said. "(Andreas Johnsson) was yelling. I looked over to make that play. Their D shifted and the guy went off track. Bratt with the speed he got was a nice target for me to hit and he went in all alone."
- Speaking of taking advantage of miscues for goals, that's what the Devils did to net their second goal (on a power play) to tie the game at 2-2 in the second period. As Rangers forward (and former Devil) Kevin Rooney was backpedaling, he lost an edge and fell at his own blue line. That allowed Devils defenseman Dougie Hamilton to easily enter the zone to the top of the circle and then snap off a shot (which rode up the outstretched stick of New York defender Jacob Trouba) that tapered the corner for the goal. - Tomas Tatar showed some great gumption on a backcheck late in the second period. Both Devils defensemen had pinched low in the offensive zone and Tatar had the puck as the high man. His shot was blocked, allowing for Sammy Blais to pick it up for a breakaway, or so he thought. Tatar hustled back to reach Blais and disturb him enough that he couldn't get off a clean shot on goal after a deke move. It was a pivotal moment in the game, and Tatar's effort kept it a close game. - After forcing a turnover in the offensive zone, the Devils had a glorious scoring chance to take the lead. Hamilton made a brilliant pass to Yegor Sharangovich at the side of the net, and he had the entire net at which to shoot. However, he over-angled the shot right into Georgiev. In fact, he may have missed the net altogether had the Rangers netminder not been there. Last year, Sharangovich buries that. Right now, it's not there. But he's the kind of player that it may only take one goal to ignite him, then watch him go on a tear. - Goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood was pulled in the third period due to concussion protocol. On the Rangers' third goal, Kakko drove to the net and elbowed Blackwood in the mask. The league signaled down and forced Blackwood to come out of the game, replaced by Jonathan Bernier with 11:22 left in the third period.
"No update yet. They put (Blackwood) in (concussion) protocol," Ruff said. "(Bernier) made several big saves for us when he came in. It's not easy coming in at that time of the game."
- The Devils defense corps got a boost as Ryan Graves dressed and played. The blueliner was injured late in the third period of New Jersey's Saturday afternoon game against Boston. He did not finish that game, but was well enough to be back in the lineup 28 hours later.
