Devils Blank Hurricanes 3-0: Tie For First Place In The Metro Division
PRUDENTIAL CENTER, NEWARK, NJ- Last night New Jersey came up with a huge 3-1 win against the Montreal Canadians to creep up even closer for first place in the Metropolitan Division. Bastian, Hischier, and Tatar all scored for the Devils last night. Dawson Mercer extended his point streak to 12 games with an assist and now owns the Devils longest point streak in franchise history. Dougie Hamilton picked up his 62nd point of the season, with an assist for Tatars empty netter. This is Hamilton’s 44th assist of the season.
FIGHT FOR THE METRO
The Devils’ record up to this point was 43-16-6 this season, which is good enough to sit second in the Metro. Sunday night, however, changed the intensity of the division and what the future holds for first place of the Metro. Carolina Hurricanes stormed into town with a record of 43-13-8 to control first place in the division; they were also 20-5-6 when playing on the road. Carolina lost the previous night to Vegas, which holds them to 94 points, and with the Devils win against the Canadians, they now bump up to 92 points. This game meant everything for both teams. Carolina owned the series 2-1 but New Jersey won the previous meeting 5-3 back on January 10th. The Devils have scored 230 total goals (3.5 per game) to rank fourth in league play. New Jersey has held onto second place ever since going 22-8-4 since losing 1st place on December 20th. Since the new year, the Devils are 20-5-4. The New Jersey Devils are 1-1-1 vs Carolina this season, and one more thing to add is understanding how strong the Tatar- Hischier- Mercer line is; since Feb 18th being put together in 11 games played, they totaled 40 points.
We talk about generating offense, which is a no-brainer for both teams, but goalie and stopping the puck will be an X-factor. Pyotr Kochetkov for the Canes is 2-1 w/ a 2.23 Goal Against Average and .911 save percentage in three games vs the Devils. Vitek Vanecek is 2-2-0 in four games with a Goal Against Average of 3.30 and a save percentage of .890 against the Hurricanes in his career.
HOT OUT THE GATES OF HELL
The importance of this game was no question to both fan bases, but for New Jersey, this was for first place in the Metro they had back in December. In the first 20 minutes of the game, New Jersey dominated along the offensive end in a pretty fashion style. New Jersey failed on an early power play opportunity but continued to deny Carolina’s two power play chances in the first period.
Jack Hughes got the party going at the Rock by stealing the puck in the Canes zone from behind, ripping down the 5-hole on Pyotr Kochetkov. The Devils previous meeting winning 5-3 against the Canes; they took advantage of their shot selection by targeting the 5-hole on Pyotr. A few minutes later, Vita made a beautiful leg pad pinching the puck between the post. All hell broke loose with tensions rising between both teams. A brawl broke out with Tatar sparking punches with Slavin. Others were involved from both teams, forcing a 4-on-4 on the ice. The scoring did not stop there, Jesper Bratt put the Devils up 2-0 ripping one past Kochetkov.
New Jersey took major control in the first period with two goals on nice shots on goal. The puck movement and capitalizing on Carolina's mistakes put them ahead early. Jack Hughes had his 37th goal of the season, adding his 27th multi-point game of the season, he tied Taylor Hall for the most multi-point games in a single season in Devils franchise history.
BRATTMAN
After 40 minutes of hockey at the Rock, fans were thriving and setting the tone. New Jersey was fighting along the boards and brewing physical play against the leading first place of the Metro Carolina Hurricanes. Jesper Bratt scored one already this game and he added another one on the night making it his 27th goal of the season. Bratt’s 27th goal in 66 games passes his career high from last year’s start line producing 26 goals. A loose puck inside the blue crease in front of the net gets plucked in by Bratt. Pyotr collided with Skjei, which put him off balance and he lost sight of the puck. This put the Devils with a commanding 3-0 lead over the Canes. Carolina looked rattled.
Vita chants were soaring all around the arena. Count this one as a top ten play and watch it on the slow-mo. Carolina was shocked this one did not find the net because Vanecek robbed Sebastian Aho of a one-timer from the slot with the glove save. The Devils were able to acquire one power play this period after a Jordan Staal hooking call. They came out explosive on the power play ripping shots on goal against Kochetkov but were not able to capitalize on their chances. New Jersey continued to prevail and play along with the script that Lindy Ruff had asked of them.
STORM CHASERS
At the final sound of the horn after 60 minutes of hockey, New Jersey put the exclamation point and statement win against the Carolina Hurricanes. Sunday’s win gives the Devils a respected tie for first place in the Metropolitan Division with 94 points apiece. This was not just any ordinary win for New Jersey, it was a statement win for themselves and for the NHL.
The Devils blanked Carolina 3-0 and they were rattled the whole game. A fast-paced tempo of play and capitalizing on mistakes made by the Canes secured the win. A three-point night for Jack Hughes and Vita Vanecek made 32 saves for his third shutout of the season. The Hurricanes have been shut out for the second time in two days. During the post-game conference, a lot was said by Jesper Bratt especially, and head coach Lindy Ruff.
“He Has been crucial to where we are at today,” said Lindy Ruff on Vita Vanecek.
“We’ve worked extremely hard for this, it has been a lot of years, a lot of hard tough years and that brings us a lot of motivation that we want even more,” said Jesper Bratt, when asked what it means to this group to be where they are at this time of year.
The Devils will now continue a mini three-game series with the Lightning. They play Tuesday, March 14th, and Thursday, March 16Th at the Rock before they travel Saturday to Tampa. The magic number for the Devils to clinch a playoff spot is ten points.