GAME DAY
Box Score
Advanced Stats
In-Game Highlights
Photo Gallery
POST-GAME VIDEO
WATCH:
Full Game Highlights
WATCH:
Rewind
WATCH:
Mercer
|
Blackwood
|
Siegenthaler
WATCH:
Head Coach Lindy Ruff
WHAT'S NEXT
The Devils continue their four-game homestand hosting the Montreal Canadiens on Tuesday night.
Tickets are still available.
Click here to purchase
.
Here are some observations from the game...
- The Jets first lead of the game lasted just 19 seconds. With Cole Perfetti picking up a rebound, the Jets' talented forward gave Winnipeg a 1-0 at 14:57 left alone in front of Mackenzie Blackwood.
On the very next play the Devils would tie the game, with a goal by Dawson Mercer assisted by Nico Hischier and Dougie Hamilton.
The assist for Hamilton is significant as the 29-year-old has set a new career-high in assists with his 38th of the season. His previous high was six seasons ago, while with the Calgary Flames (37).
At nearly 30 years old, Hamilton is having a career year with 54 points in 56 games. His 56 points set a new career high, surpassing his 50 from 2016-17, while he remains two goals away from matching his best goal-scoring season in 2018-19 (18).
- While we're on the topic of career highs: Mercer has scored in three consecutive games, which sets a new milestone for the 21-year-old.
- Jonas Siegenthaler returned to the Devils lineup after he was a healthy scratch against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday evening. Siegenthaler drew back into the lineup in place of Kevin Bahl and played alongside Damon Severson.
After the Penguins game, head coach Lindy Ruff offered insight into his decision to scratch Siegenthaler:
"I think he's had his struggles, but it's not one player (…) It was an opportunity to get a fresh body (Brendan Smith) in, and at the same time it might help Siegs reset a little bit."
After Sunday's game, Siegenthaler shared his thoughts:
"I'm not going to lie, I was a little nervous today in the beginning. I just try to play hard, my game, stay focused, and play a solid 60 minutes. I think that was a little bit missing the last couple of games."
Ruff shared his insights on Siegenthaler's game:
"I think we're really going to need seven defensemen. A Siegs is a big part of this team. He's had some ups and downs, some struggles, but you know we count on him for a lot. He's put up against a lot of the top lines, in a lot of key situations. I'm just going to say it, it's not about the scratch, it's about You've got to catch traction with your play, you're got to be confident with how you're playing and sometimes just to take a game break and freshen up and reset is a good thing."
Siegenthaler played the second most minutes on defense (20:26) just behind Damon Severson's 21:52.
- Fabian Zetterlund has been playing some of his best hockey since he was re-introduced to the lineup. He evened the score at two with his first goal since Dec. 3. Zetterlund wired the puck past Connor Hellebuyk through the slot.
Only moments after Zetterlund evened the game, it was Miles Wood who gave the Devils their first lead of the night, the 3-2 goal at 6:53 of the third. The goal comes after a difficult night in Pittsburgh where Wood found himself with limited ice time, playing just 4:48, including just 57 seconds in the first period, as the coaching staff went down to just three lines.
Wood picked the perfect way to respond to a difficult night: scoring his ninth of the season. The primary assist went to Michael McLeod who made an unbelievable play through his legs by Hellebuyk's post to find Wood in the slot.
"Two games now where the game-winning goal, Michael has been a big part of it," Ruff shared of McLeod's assist. "If we want to talk about Michael, he hasn't scored in a long time but he's made a couple of great plays that's allowed us to win games. He's won a lot of face off's when we need key faceoffs on the right side and he's been part of the penalty killing."
- Ruff shared that he and Wood had a good conversation after Saturday night's game, but would not divulge any details of the conversation.
- For just the 11th time this season, Jack Hughes did not have a single point in a game. Hughes has been on a tear this season and particularly in his last 10 games, prior to facing the Jets. He has 20 points in his last 11 games.