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The Devils return home to host Winnipeg on the second half of a back-to-back. The game can be seen on MSGSN 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...
- The turning point in this game came from the Devils PK unit. New Jersey had a 2-1 lead when the Penguins were working on a power play. Hischier scored a shorthanded tally to give the Devils a 3-1 lead and New Jersey killed the penalty. It was a two-goal swing.
"It was a big kill for us at that time," head coach Lindy Ruff said. "For them to come up with a shorthanded goal, Nico in on that play, I think it was the turning point of the game for us."
- Hischier snapped a nine-game goalless drought with a shorthanded tally. He and Yegor Sharangovich perfectly executed a 2-on-1 rush with Malkin as the defender. Hischier fed a cross-ice pass to Sharangovich. Once Malkin pivoted, Sharangovich gave the puck back to Hischier for basically an empty-net score.
"I always try to do my best. Sometimes they go in, sometimes they don't," Hischier said. "I had a little long stretch but 'Shara' made a great play. I just had to tap it in. ... As soon as he pulled it on his backhand I kind of thought he might give it back right there. That's what happened. A great move by him."
The goal was also a milestone, as it was the 100th of the captain's career. It was also the second time this season Hischier has scored a shorthanded goal in Pittsburgh (Dec. 30).
"It's a goal I'll never forget. It's something no one can take away from me," he said. "I'm pretty happy about it."
- Defenseman Dougie Hamilton continues to be a dynamite threat on the power play. He picked up his team-leading eighth power-play goal of the season, and 16th of the season.
- Mercer picked up his second goal in as many games. And just like the last game, it came at the crease. The play started thanks to the efforts of Tomas Tatar, who pressured Penguins defenseman Chad Ruhwedel into a turnover (with some help from the official running interference). Tatar then centered the puck and Mercer found it and converted with a nice backhand shot. That last time Mercer had consecutive games with goals was Dec. 9 and 12.
"The pressure on the D-man, (Tatar) going down, hitting the body and getting the puck," Mercer said, "making that nice play, putting the puck on net. Me and Nico battling for it. Luckily enough I popped that one in. The forecheck really started that full play."
- The Devils made some lineup changes for their contest against Pittsburgh. Center Jack Hughes (upper-body) and defenseman Brendan Smith (lower-body) returned after missing the previous four games with injuries. But what was interesting was who came out of the lineup for their insertions. Forward Nathan Bastian and blueliner Jonas Siegenthaler were healthy scratched for the first time this season.
"It's not about one player. It's the fact that we feel we have seven (defensemen) that can play," Ruff said. "We know that we've got a real tough schedule ahead of us. When you look at the schedule it was an opportunity to get a fresh body in, and it might help Siegenthaler get reset a little bit."
- Hughes picked up two assists in the game. He now has points in 10 consecutive games for 20 points (9g-11a).
"It was nice to be back after only (missing) four (games). It could have been longer," Hughes said. "I felt fine. A little tired out there. It was not my best, but you miss a week or two and with All-Star break too that was one game in two-three weeks. That's a good start and a really big win for our team."
- Defenseman John Marino faced his former team for the first time since joining the Devils. Marino, who spent his first three seasons in Pittsburgh, missed the previous contest in Pittsburgh with an injury.
