A second period full of New Jersey Devils’ goals proved to be enough to push the Devils to a 6-2 win on home ice against the Anaheim Ducks.
The Devils found themselves down 1-0 with the first period coming to a close despite dominating the play. New Jersey ended the first period with 16 shots on goal while Anaheim finished with just seven.
The second period opened up with Jack Hughes tying the game a little over a minute in as the Devils had pretty passing during a delayed penalty. Stefan Noesen added another goal to give the Devils their first lead of the game just minutes later. The Devils did not stop there as Noesen got going on the power play, adding his second of the game and bringing the score to 3-1. With about a minute left in the period, Paul Cotter joined in on the fun and added one of his own for the Devils to finish the second period with a score of 4-1.
Noesen was awarded first star of the night courtesy of his two goals. His second goal would later prove to be the game-winning goal.
Captain Nico Hischier added his ninth of the season two minutes into the third period. Hischier currently leads the NHL in goals. Anaheim eventually got one back to cut the Devils’ lead to 5-2 but Erik Haula put the nail in the coffin with a minute left of the game and added the Devils’ sixth goal of the night.
Jacob Markstrom stood tall in net as he ended the game with a same percentage of .923%. A much needed confidence booster for the veteran goaltender.
Dawson Mercer continued to show why he is a bright part of this team’s future as he added two assists to his season. He was strong defensively and helped build offense no matter who he was on the ice with.
“To come away with two points here for us as a group and now have a travel day [Monday] to begin our (three-game) road trip, it’s definitely a good feeling for us,” Mercer said postgame.
Jonas Siegenthaler, a typically quiet defensemen, added two assists of his own and had two shots on net. Seigenthaler saw over 22 minutes of ice time and was a lock down defensemen in the Devils outstanding win.
Jesper Bratt had an assist for the fifth straight game, tying his career record for an assist streak.
Special teams continued to be successful as the Devils did not allow goals on the Ducks’ man advantage and added a goal of their own in their singular power play.
The Devils came out looking refreshed and ready to compete, something that has been missing from the Devils in recent games. Everyone on the ice was contributing to offense, only three players on the 18-player roster did not have a shot on net.
A night that saw 13 players get on the scoresheet, a successful power play and penalty kill and good goaltender ended with the Devils back in the win column.
The Devils leave for their Western Canadian road trip on Monday with their first game of the three on Oct. 30 against the Vancouver Canucks. The Devils are currently 6-4-2 and are third in the NHL.
