The Devils win their second straight game to wrap up the first month of the 2023-24 season.
The New Jersey Devils finished the first month of the 2023-24 season with a record of 5-2-1 after their 4-3 victory over the Minnesota Wild.
Jesper Bratt scored twice and finished the game with three points, while rookie defenseman Luke Hughes collected two assists.
With Nico Hischier out of the lineup with an upper-body injury, Michael McLeod was promoted to the second line, and Chris Tierney jumped back into the lineup, which looked like the following:
Tyler Toffoli - Jack Hughes - Timo Meier
Ondrej Palat - Michael McLeod - Jesper Bratt
Dawson Mercer - Erik Haula - Curtis Lazar
Alexander Holtz - Chris Tierney - Nathan Bastian
Jonas Siegenthaler - Dougie Hamilton
Kevin Bahl - John Marino
Brendan Smith - Luke Hughes
Vitek Vanecek
In addition to Bratt, Toffoli and Haula also scored for New Jersey, while ex-Devil Pat Maroon, Ryan Hartman, and Jake Middleton got on the scoresheet for Minnesota.
Special teams were a big storyline as the Devils converted on two of three power-play attempts and went five-for-six on the penalty kill.
"Our power play scored a couple of great goals for us," said Devils head coach Lindy Ruff. "(The Wild) have a lot of have a lot of skill on their power play, and they had two power plays where we didn't get out of our (zone). I thought when it came to shot lanes and keeping chances to a minimum, we did a good job."
Five Things
1. New Jersey Finally Scored the Opening Goal of the Game
It took eight games for the New Jersey Devils to celebrate scoring the opening goal of the game. Jesper Bratt net his fifth goal of the season when his snap shot got past Wild goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury. The goal extended Bratt's point streak to seven games.
After the game, Ruff was asked if he sees anything different in Bratt's play this season.
"I just see a guy who has even more energy," he said. "He's shooting the puck quicker, he's making better plays, his mobility just seems a little bit more dynamic. He's really a luxury to have."
2. Power Play Continues to Connect
Per the media notes, the Devils scored two, or more, power-play goals in a game for the fifth time this season. Last season, the team recorded two, or more, power-play goals in a game just four times. New Jersey's power play remains at the top of the league (42.4)
Per NHL Pr, "The Devils recorded their 14th power-play goal of the season and became just the fifth team since 2000-01 to record as many through the first eight games of a season. The only others to record as many in that span: Toronto Maple Leafs (17 in 2005-06), Dallas Stars (14 in 2020-21), San Jose Sharks (14 in 2006-07) and Detroit Red Wings (14 in 2005-06)."
3. Meier Extends Point Streak
Meier earned the primary assist on Bratt's second goal of the night at 16:39 in the middle frame. It extended his assist streak to five games (one goal, six assists), which tied a career-high earned from Nov. 5 - Nov. 14, 2019.
4. Marino Is Getting Back on Track
"(Marino) is starting to get his game back." - MSGSN color commentator Ken Daneyko.
For the third consecutive game, the defenseman earned an assist. Per the media notes, it tied Marino's career-high assist streak, which was accomplished six times.
The 26-year-old finished the game with a team-leading 23:25 ice time, including 6:49 on the penalty kill. He had one shot on goal and one blocked shot and seems to be finding his game after some early struggles.
5. Vanecek Makes Second Consecutive Start
For the first time this season, the coaching staff started the same goaltender in two consecutive games. Vanecek got the nod after earning a victory versus the Buffalo Sabres.
On Sunday evening, the 27-year-old made 31 saves on 34 shots, earning a save percentage of .912. He was the team's best penalty killer, making 12 saves on 13 shots while his team was shorthanded.
"He played great," said Marino. "(He) had great rebound control and made some big saves for us. I think we are able to feed off of that, like on the penalty kill. Guys are so gassed and can't really do much and have to rely on the goaltending and block some shots. (Vanecek) was big for us."