TEMPE, AZ -- The Arizona Coyotes battled back from a 4-2 deficit in the third period to tie the game and force overtime but the Devils recovered to win in extra time on a goal by Nico Hischier.
Hischier's goal came 23 seconds into extra time. Timo Meier also scored his first goal as a Devil and Jesper Boqvist potted a pair.
Hischier Nets Overtime Winner as Devils Top Coyotes | GAME STORY
Timo Meier scored an early goal in his Devils debut
By
Marc Ciampa
NewJerseyDevils.com
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The Devils return home and will play the Toronto Maple Leafs on Tuesday. 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.
"Dougie made a nice play. I was able to beat my guy off the face-off then a two-on-one. He wasn't attacking me so I thought I'd shoot it far side," said Hischier. "That's where I wanted to shoot it and it went in, I'll take it."
Devils head coach Lindy Ruff was happy his team got the two points but saw some missed opportunities in a game the club failed to close out in regulation.
"Real important we got the two points. We mismanaged the puck a few times and that cost us dearly. Missed some opportunities to lengthen the lead, let them hang around," Ruff said. "But we've been a good overtime team and we found a way to get the two points."
Hischier agreed with his head coach on that matter.
"That's all that matters, we got the two points. It wasn't an easy game. It can be a dangerous game, games like that. It's good to get the two points."
At the drop of the puck, Devils fans in the 4,600 seat capacity Mullett Arena had a raucous chant of 'Let's Go Devils' much to the chagrin of the home fans. Those chants changed to 'Timo Meier' when Meier stepped on the ice for the first time.
The first penalty of the game went to Tomas Tatar for tripping. Coyotes got some chances but Devils killed it off.
Midway through the first, Timo Meier opened the scoring. He pounced on a rebound after a Dougie Hamilton shot through traffic and backhanded it in with Coyotes goaltender Connor Ingram out of position.
"Gives you a lot of energy to go out there and play," Meier said of his return to action. "I haven't played in a bit so with some good players out there, the puck just found me in front of the net and I got a rebound."
Hischier said it was great to see his fellow countryman on the ice on his side.
"It's not easy for him to come in here, different system and he's been out a couple games," Hischier stated. "He did really well. Scored a goal, exactly what he does. It was good to see him with the New Jersey jersey on."
Coyotes got the goal back a minute later. With Vanecek sliding from left to right, Jack McBain lightly touched the puck over to Matias Maccelli in the slot and he fired it blocker side in to make it a 1-1 game.
Severson made a nice play, dishing the puck and then pinching to get it back deep in the zone. He then passed it over to Jesper Boqvist who fired it past Ingram to put the Devils back in the lead.
"Sevy made a great play and I put the stick on the ice and put it in," added Boqvist.
Shots on goal after the first period were 15-12 for Arizona.
Early in the second, Dawson Mercer had a breakaway but his deke attempt was denied by Ingram. Shortly after that, Coyotes were called for too many men on the ice.
With nine seconds left in the power play, Severson wristed a shot from the point that eluded a screened Ingram.
Devils saw their two-goal lead cut in half with 3:37 to go in the middle frame. Zack Kassian ripped a shot from the right face-off circle that whistled under the bar behind Vanecek.
The two-goal advantage was regained with 40 seconds to go in the second. Boqvist snapped a shot top corner to put the Devils in front 4-2. It was Boqvist's second of the game.
"Really skating well," Ruff said of Boqvist's game. "He found the hole, won battles, used his speed. That line really played well. In on seven or eight really good opportunities. Palat was really heavy on the puck, strong down low. Haula same thing."Shots on goal in the second period were 15-5 for the Devils; 27-20 in favor of New Jersey through 40 minutes.
Ninety seconds into the third, Nick Schmaltz ripped a one-timer to once again pull the Coyotes within a goal at 4-3.
Meier was called for high sticking near the third period's midway mark but Devils were able to kill off the penalty.
With two minutes to go in the third, Jack McBain scored to tie the game at 4-4.
At the end of regulation, shots on goal were 39-28 for the Devils.
Here are some observations from the game:
- Hamilton's assist on the Meier goal gave him 60 points on the season. The only Devils with more than 60 points in a season were Scott Stevens (79 in 93-94) and Tom Kurvers (66 in 88-89).
- Boqvist scored for the first time since January 13 at Anaheim. It was the first two-goal game of his career.
- Tonight was the 17th overtime game for the Devils. They've won 10 games in OT with one shootout win, three shootout losses and three overtime losses.