Saturday afternoon the New Jersey Devils (24-14-3) faced off against the San Jose Sharks (12-23-6). The last time these two teams met was November 10, 2024, and the game ended going in San Jose’s favor as they took the win 1-0, and they’d repeat history with another win over New Jersey 3-2.
The first period commenced with a powerplay going towards San Jose only 26 seconds in, but New Jersey’s elite penalty kill team that stands 7th in the NHL would overpower, and the powerplay would end with no goals scored for San Jose. Both teams would have energy surging throughout the ice as they exchanged high danger shots on each other’s net. The inevitable would creep in with 3 minutes left in the period as Nikolai Kovalenko (5) would light the lamp for San Jose to give them a lead of 1-0. His goal would be assisted by William Eklund (21) and Luke Kunin (7). Regulation would then end with a score of 1-0 San Jose.
Jacob Markstrom is one to thank as he is one of the sole reasons the Devils were only able to trail by one throughout that period. He made many important saves on high danger shots, saving 10/11 shots. Most notably were the two monster saves in a span of two minutes, both on former Devil Tyler Toffoli.
Stepping out onto the ice for the second period, New Jersey would have high hopes to tie the game 1-1. Two minutes in Macklin Celebrini, the infamous 1st overall pick of the 2024 draft would take a High-Sticking penalty. The Devils received the powerplay and took advantage of their chance as Nico Hischier, the birthday boy, would score his 19th of the season from Jack Hughes (32) and Jesper Bratt (34). The game would tie at 1-1.
San Jose would not back down, though, as they continued their constant attack with shots on net while also causing penalties for New Jersey. Even with the massive number of power-plays and chances to take the lead both teams would be unable to score, and the second period ended tied at 1-1.
Along with Jacob Markstrom’s relentlessness between the pipes, the Devils penalty kill was also relentless as they suffered two penalties back-to-back.
The Third period would start and only 2 minutes in Macklin Celebrini (13) would take his revenge and sneak one past Jacob Markstrom from Will Smith (8) and Collin Graf (1) to give the Sharks the lead once again at 2-1. New Jersey would not take this lightly though as Paul Cotter (9) would strike back with an impressive goal and tie the game at 2-2. He would be assisted by Luke Hughes (15). Both teams energy would surge as they’d fight for the lead that they both desperately needed. With 24 seconds left in regulation Cody Ceci (3) would have the game on his stick and he’d score, giving San Jose the lead and inevitably the win. He’d be assisted by Alex Wennberg (11). The game would end at a score of 3-2 Sharks with a heartbreaker for New Jersey.
The Devils have now lost 4 games in a row and its crystal clear the rhythm they held before the small Christmas break has faded. They still look to grab their first win in the new year, and to do this they need to continue improving and all players need to contribute. The New Jersey Devils play their next game Monday in Seattle as they’ll be facing off against the Seattle Kraken.
