Devils score 3 in 3rd, defeat Jets

NEWARK, N.J. --Dawson Mercer scored twice for the New Jersey Devils, who rallied with three goals in the third period to defeat the Winnipeg Jets 4-2 at Prudential Center on Sunday.

Erik Haula had two assists, and Mackenzie Blackwood made 23 saves for the Devils (37-14-5), who were coming off a 5-2 win at the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday and are 5-1-1 since the All-Star break.
"We're never out of a game and we're responsible as a team," Mercer said. "We know we can protect a lead when we have it, but we can also get it back when we're trailing when we stick to our game, and that's really been working for us lately. We play right until the end of the buzzer."
The win was the sixth straight at home for the Devils.
"We talked about this before we started the little streak we've been on ... that we definitely have to be a better home team," New Jersey coach Lindy Ruff said. "I think the biggest issue has been how we manage the puck. Sometimes we put a little bit too much finesse in our game versus a straight line game, getting it in between, and forechecking even harder."

Neal Pionk had a goal and an assist, Mark Scheifele had two assists, and Connor Hellebuyck made 25 saves for the Jets (34-21-1), who have lost two straight.
"They had their chances and we just kind of got away from it a little bit," Scheifele said. "We were missing passes and we didn't execute as much as we should have. Then, when you play a skilled team like that, they made some plays."
Fabian Zetterlund tied it 2-2 at 5:02 of the third period. Haula stole the puck from Kyle Connor behind the net and passed to Zetterlund for a one-timer from the right hash marks.
Miles Wood then gave the Devils a 3-2 lead at 6:53. Michael McLeod passed the puck between his legs at the left post to Wood, who beat Hellebuyck five-hole with a one-timer.
Mercer scored into an empty net with 56 seconds remaining for the 4-2 final.
"I'd like to see some of our lines just gain a little bit of chemistry right now," Ruff said. "We're at that time of the year where if we can get the chemistry on the lines and we get scoring or production from everybody on different lines, it'll make us a very dangerous team."

Cole Perfetti gave the Jets a 1-0 lead on a rebound in the slot at 14:57 of the first period.
Mercer responded 19 seconds later to tie it 1-1. After controlling a loose puck in the slot, Mercer attempted a backdoor pass to Tomas Tatar at the left post, where Winnipeg defenseman Nate Schmidt inadvertently pushed it into his own net.
"I passed it over there, two of them were there, and I was just happy to see the puck go in, celebrate it," Mercer said. "It didn't matter who put it in as long as it went in. That that's all that matters."
Pionk put Winnipeg back in front 2-1 with a slap shot from the point at 17:09 of the first.
"We were playing a pretty good game, keeping them to the outside and letting me see pucks," Hellebuyck said. "In playoffs, that's where we get hard-nosed and kill time. Tonight it was a couple turnovers, and they capitalized."
Blackwood kept the Devils within one at 14:48 of the second period, when he made his best save of the game with his left pad against Scheifele on a rush down the left wing.
"I like where my game is at and, obviously, I'll continue to try and build it every game, every practice," Blackwood said. "But it feels good to get a win."
Said Ruff: "We're going to need both goalies (Vitek Vanecek) because the schedule gets real demanding. [Blackwood] fought through that first period and, I thought, did a heck of a job."
NOTES: Jets forward Nikolaj Ehlers left with an undisclosed injury after getting knocked to the ice at 11:58 of the third period. There was no update postgame. ... Devils forward Jack Hughes had his 10-game point streak end. ... New Jersey is 14-for-14 on the penalty kill during its six-game home winning streak.