LaFontaine loses first start for Hurricanes, who fall to Devils

NEWARK, N.J. -- The New Jersey Devils spoiled the first NHL start for Jack LaFontaine when they defeated the Carolina Hurricanes 7-4 at Prudential Center on Saturday.

LaFontaine signed a one-year, entry-level contract with Carolina on Jan. 9, turning pro in the middle of his college hockey season with the University of Minnesota. He won the Mike Richter Award voted as the top goalie in men's NCAA Division I ice hockey last season.
"The group in front of him wasn't good enough," Carolina coach Rod Brind'Amour said.

Nathan Bastian scored twice, Andreas Johnsson had a goal and two assists, and Ryan Graves had three assists for the Devils (15-19-5), who ended a three-game losing streak. Jon Gillies, acquired in a trade with the St. Louis Blues on Dec. 15, made 28 saves in his first win with New Jersey (1-2-1).
Gillies, who turned 28 Saturday, got his first win since April 7, 2018, for the Calgary Flames against the Vegas Golden Knights.
"We're a confident group playing in front of him, and we trust him when he's in the net," Bastian said. "It was nice to see him get his first one tonight, on his birthday. That's pretty exciting."
Andrei Svechnikov and Josh Leivo each had a goal and an assist for the Hurricanes (27-9-2), who had a three-game winning streak end. They defeated the New York Rangers 6-3 at home Friday.
LaFontaine made 31 saves in his second NHL game; he allowed one goal on three shots in relief during a 6-0 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets on Jan. 13.
"[LaFontaine's] coming from college," Leivo said. "He made a lot of saves still, so he's just got to keep his head high. It wasn't his fault. I don't think our team played the greatest."
Svechnikov scored on a long shot from outside the left face-off circle to give the Hurricanes a 1-0 lead at 2:20 of the first period. Ian Cole made it 2-0 on a slap shot from the point at 5:44.
"We were fortunate to be up two," Brind'Amour said. "We got a lucky bounce and we just weren't sharp. We had a couple guys that were good, but when you're off a little bit, that's what it looks like."
Bastian pulled the Devils within 2-1 when he batted the puck in from the slot at 17:26. He tied it 2-2 on a tip from the slot at 19:06.
"I've talked about the way my game needed to evolve to be effective in this league," Bastian said. "One of the things is [the] net front; I feel like I've gotten so much better over time. It's getting sticks on pucks in front, finding a way to just bang pucks in. I'm pretty confident in front of the net right now."

Leivo scored his first point of the season on a wrist shot at the right post for a 3-2 lead at 3:25 of the second period.
Michael McLeod tied it 3-3 on a rebound at 8:47.
"Our team never quits," Devils coach Lindy Ruff said. "If we get down, we've always found ways to get back in again. I thought after the game was 2-0, we were the better team."
Johnsson gave New Jersey a 4-3 lead when he scored from the left circle on a 3-on-2 at 11:16.
Brady Skjei tied it 4-4 on the rush at 15:34.
"We know they're good in almost every area of the ice," Ruff said of the Hurricanes. "They skate well, their defense is the most active defense we will play this year. It's part of their DNA, so you can't stand there and watch. We got caught right off the bat, but thought we did a real good job against them the rest of the game."
Jesper Bratt gave the Devils a 5-4 lead with a one-timer from the right circle at 18:19.
Jack Hughes' power-play goal extended the lead to 6-4 at 12:51 of the third period. Pavel Zacha scored on a rebound 1:04 later for the 7-4 final.
"We showed character after they got the two goals early and we found a way," Devils captain Nico Hischier said. "We've got to understand that if we play that way, we can win a lot more games."
NOTES: Carolina forward Teuvo Teravainen (lower body) took the warmup but was scratched. He was replaced by Leivo. ... Hischier had an assist and extended his point streak to four games (four points; two goals, two assists). ... The Devils have won their past five home games against the Hurricanes dating to Feb. 15, 2018, their second-longest active streak against one opponent (Vancouver Canucks, six games).