On Dec. 17th, the New Jersey Devils (21-10-3) faced the St. Louis Blues (15-15-3) in Missouri at 8 p.m. ET. The Devils won against the Blues 4-1, tying the season series amongst the two teams.
The first period commenced and the starting lineup included – Timo Meier, Nico Hischier and Dawson Mercer with defensive pair Luke Hughes and Brett Pesce. At 15:13 in the first, alternate captain, Ondrej Palat scored his sixth goal of the season, putting the Devils on the board 1-0. His goal was assisted by Luke Hughes (10) and Brett Pesce (4), an unstoppable pair. Leading the end of the first period 1-0, the Devils had seven shots on goal and the Blues had five.
As the second period commenced, the Devils continued to dominate on the ice in Missouri. Having a face-off percentage of 61.5% that night, including seven shots on goal. At 7:06, the first penalty of the night occurred. The Devils’ Tomas Tatar was called for tripping against Nathan Walker. Nathan Walker from the Blues later receives the same penalty against Nathan Bastian at 12:41 in the period.
Leading towards the Devils next goal, on the power play, by Stefan Noesen – His 14th goal of the season while playing in his 400th NHL career game. His goal was assisted by Nico Hischier (13) and Jack Hughes (27). A great play for an incredible milestone, leading the Devils 2-0. At 13:09, Cam Fowler, who was recently traded to the St. Louis Blues by the Anaheim Ducks, received a two-minute minor for cross-checking Nico Hischier. There were seven shots on goal made by the Devils during the second period and six by the Blues.
The final period of the night had come to a start, and just nearly 3:38 into the third, Devils defenseman, Brenden Dillon (2) is able to find the back of the Blues net and score his second goal of the season, further extending the Devils lead to 3-0. His goal remained unassisted. At 10:28 the Blues will score their first goal of the night, Jordan Kyrou (14) gets the Blues on the board. Assisted by Justin Faulk (8) and Brayden Schenn (12). The rest of the third consisted of penalties from both teams. At 11:04, both Robert Thomas and Johnathan Kovacevic received a penalty for cross-checking. As well as the Devils’ Jonas Siegenthaler and Blues’ Pavel Buchnevich, who each received a penalty for roughing.
Jesper Bratt (14) was able to score an empty netter on the Blues goal at 16:44 with an assist by Jack Hughes (28) to close off the Devils win 4-1. Although, the night did not end, as both teams received a few more penalties. With only a minute and 15 seconds left in the third, roughing accounts were called for on Jake Neighbours, Brayden Schenn, Jonas Siegenthaler, and Stefan Noesen.
To conclude, tonight the Devils had a total of 28 shots on goal and the Blues had 20. Jack Hughes had a two-point night, and the Devils remain on their three-game heater with a power-play percentage of 33.3%. The New Jersey Devils are now first in the Metropolitan Division and will play their next game in Ohio against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Dec. 19th at 7 p.m. ET.
