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WHAT'S NEXT
The Devils hit the road for back-to-back contests against Nashville (Thursday) and Dallas (Friday) before heading into the All-Star break. The Nashville game can be seen on MSGSN and heard on the Devils Hockey Network, including right here at NewJerseyDevils.com. Puck drop is 8:08 p.m. ET.
Here are some observations from the game...
- A turning point in this contest could have come halfway through the second period. The Devils were leading 1-0 when Erik Haula made a pass attempt to Tomas Tatar from the low circle to the opposite side of the crease. It could have been an easy backdoor tap-in and a 2-0 Devils lead.
Instead, seconds later, Howden would score to tie the game at 1-1-. Even worse, 2:51 after that the Knights to a 2-1 lead on Karlsson's goal. In what could have been a 2-0 New Jersey edge turned into a 2-1 Vegas lead - a three-goal swing of momentum.
- Ondrej Palat opened the scoring with one of the most bizarre goals that you'll ever see. He carried the puck toward the slot and as he was winding up a shot, Vegas' Keegan Kolesar got his stick on the puck, causing it to rainbow into the air in off-speed style and eluding goalie Logan Thompson.
The tally was Palat's first since returning from a groin injury that cost him 32 games. It was also his first goal since Oct. 20 at NY Islanders (he scored twice in that contest).
"It feels pretty good," Palat said of his goal. "I had a couple chances in previous games, but it feels good to score."
- Devils captain Nico Hischier picked up an assist on Palat's goal. That extends his scoring streak to seven games (3g-5a). Hischier has points in 15 of his last 16 games (9g-10a) which includes a career-high eight- and the active seven-game scoring streak.
- Forward Jesper Bratt also picked up two helpers in the game. He has points in 10 of his last 12 for 14 points (6g-8a).
- The Palat-Hischier-Bratt line was electric. They were the best trio on the ice of either team. They hounded the offensive zone, made slick reads and dynamic passes to each other and generated a goal (as well as numerous scoring chances). Maybe this is the start of a beautiful trio.
"They made some real nice plays. Pally scored a real nice goal," Ruff said. "He's getting close to his form. I don't think he's there yet. He went through a very serious procedure and we're starting to see the better side of it now."
"I thought today we played well," Palat said. "We worked hard. We played a simple game, but that's work."
- It was a pretty good goaltenders duel with each tendy making tough save after tough save on quality chance after quality chance. Both men in the pipes did the job for their respective teams. The Devils' Vitek Vanecek, who won his eighth straight game, even picked up an assist on the game-winner as well as his 28 saves.
"It's great. I'm really happy to be winning," Vanecek said. "We have to push to the playoffs."
