Oil Spill At The Rock, Devils Dominate Oilers To Win 13 In A Row
MATCHUP PREVIEW
NEWARK, NJ- The New Jersey Devils are in first place of the Metropolitan Division sitting with a 15-3 record and the second-best record in the NHL behind Boston (16-2).
New Jersey has continued their winning streak to 12 games now, after overpowering the Ottawa Senators 5-1.
The Devils are the first team in NHL history to sweep both the Western Canadian (Calgary, Edmonton, Vancouver) and Eastern Canadian (Montreal, Toronto, Ottawa) road trips in the same season.
The Devils will bring their hot 12 game winning streak as they host the Edmonton Oilers (10-8-0) who sit 4th in the Pacific Division. The last time these two teams met, the Devils came up on top rallying behind to win 4-3.
HERES THE FACTS
The Devils entered Monday’s contest with a five-game winning streak at home dating to Oct 28 vs Colorado Avalanche.
New Jersey was 7-2 at home thus up to this point. They had a +21 differential with 60 total goals.
In the past 10 games Nico Hischier has had nine goals and 10 assists for New Jersey and Jack Hughes has four goals and nine assists.
The Oilers are 5-2 on the road this season. One of the premier power-play scoring teams, they have scored 19 power-play goals, making them the first in the NHL.
The top Performers for the Oilers are two superstars: Leon Draisaitl with nine goals and 19 assists and Connor McDavid with eight goals and 11 assists in the last 10 games.
BRATT ATTACK
The Rock was alive in the contest between the Devils and the Oilers with fans cheering in excitement. This is what fans were waiting for from a young talented team with experienced veterans.
In the early start of the first period, New Jersey struck first. A feed to the slot from Nico Hischier to Jesper Bratt to put one past Skinner. It was a power play goal on the man advantage.
The New Jersey penalty kill unit did a great job after Erika Haula headed to the box early for an Oilers power play. Edmonton was only able to get one shot on goal.
The Oilers were a dangerous foe on the power play and the Devils paid the price. The Oilers were able to tie the game 1-1 on their second power play of the game making it 21 power play goals on the season. The goal was changed and credited to Leon Draisaitl making his 11th of the year.
PAYING FOR YOUR SINS
Both teams were able to generate opportunities to put themselves up but failed to convert. As the first period ended, both were tied at one a piece.
The Oilers shot themselves in the foot in the beginning of the second period. Skinner misplayed a puck in front of his own net, which was stolen by Nico Hischier, and the off the rebound was put in by Dawson Mercer scoring his fifth of the season.
A few minutes went off the clock and after a set of beautiful passing, the shot was set up by Bratt and Hughes. Severson sniped one from the middle of the ice to get it past Skinner.
After Damon Severson’s goal, the Devils took a commanding 3-1 lead in the second period.
Both teams went on the power play, Connor McDavid was sent for slashing, and Miles Wood for high sticking.
The Devils dominated the second period and made the Oilers pay for their crucial mistakes.
OIL SPILL
After opening face-off to begin the third period; Edmonton looked sloppy right out the gate with lazy passing and a lack of urgency. The Devils attacked early in the third period but came up empty.
With 15:14 left in regulation, Edmonton cut the lead within one with a goal by Ryan Nugent Hopkins his 9th of the season.
Thomas Tatar decided to join the scoring parade after the puck rebounded off Stuart Skinner and was able to tap it behind the net. Tatar now has four goals to the season. His goal was assisted by Nico and Mercer. Nico’s assist on Tatars goal made it three-point night for himself. New Jersey held a 4-2 lead at this point in the third period.
Yegor Sharagovich’s 6th goal of the season extended the Devils lead to 5-2 with a beautiful backhand. He had the game-winner against the Maple Leafs in OT. The clock hit zeros, and the Prudential Center was in an absolute frenzy. The Devils had won 13 in a row and tied the franchise record with 13 wins in a row.
The Devils have been brilliant and playing at a high fast-paced tempo brand of hockey.
I give a lot of credit to Vitek Vanecek who has won 10 of the 13 games on this winning streak. He finished with 27 saves against Edmonton.
Vitek stated, “It's great to be here. When you're winning it's more fun," he said. "If you are losing, it's not fun, you know? So, we are winning right now, and it's really fun.”
The Captain Nico Hischier commented as well, “This is the most fun stretch I’ve ever played in hockey. I don’t want it to end.”
New Jersey will be hosting the Toronto Maple Leafs on Wednesday November 23rd at 7pm ET. They look to continue their 13-game winning streak to 14 on the season.