The first week of the season was better than imagined as the New Jersey Devils gained points in both games against the Bruins losing in a shootout and an overtime victory. This week, the Devils took on fellow Tri-State area rivals in the the New York Rangers and Islanders. Both would be challenging opponents for Jersey’s team. Let’s take a look at how they did.
Hudson River rivalry renewed in the Big Apple (1/19/21)
Lineups
New Jersey Devils
New York Rangers
Recap:
The Devils would get on the board 32 seconds in as Travis Zajac would score his first on the season. Miles Wood and PK Subban would get the assists on the play. Zajac’s early goal would stand up to be the only goal of the first period as New Jerseywould take a 1-0 lead over the New York Rangers.
Chris Kreider would even the score up at the 2:50 mark on the power play as he would get a lucky bounce off the defenders skate. However, moments later Jack Hughes would put in a rebound off a shot from the point by Ty Smith for his first goal of the year. Hughes wouldn’t be done scoring after that. At the 8:38 mark, Hughes would score on a breakaway for his second goal of the game. Mika Zabanajad got the Rangers within one as he would add his first goal of the season in the power play. Moments later, Miles Wood would score on the power play as the puck would bounce off his skate and into the back of the net. The Devils would take a 4-2 lead going into the third and final period.
The Rangers did get the game within one goal again as Filip Chytil added his first goal on the season. However, it wasn’t enough as the Devils shut the Rangers down the rest of the way to give them a 4-3 victory over their Hudson River rivals.
Game Highlights:
Short trip to Long Island @ the NY Islanders 1/21/21
Lineups
New Jersey Devils
New York Islanders
This game would be a game the Devils would want to move on from. Jordan Eberle and a first period goal Matthew Barisal would give the Islanders a 2-0 lead heading into the intermission.
Youngster Nathan Bastian would score his first goal of the season and get the Devils within one of the Islanders. Bastian’s goal would be the only one of the second period as the Devils trail by a score of 2-1
Jordan Eberle and Brock Nelson would put the final nails in the coffin as they each struck on the power play to seal the victory for the New York Islanders by a final score of 4-1.
Game Highlights:
Rematch vs the Islanders back @ the Rock 1/24/21
Lineups:
New Jersey Devils
New York Islanders
New Jersey would get their revenge at home against the Islanders and showed a very solid and complete effort against their division rival. Jack Hughes continued his strong week as he added his third goal of the season on the power play. Moments later, Pavel Zacha would put in the rebound to give the Devils a 2-0 lead.
Hughes & Zacha’s goals would be the only goals of the game as the Devils displayed a full sixty minute effort as they would shutout the New York Islanders. Scott Wedgewood would make twenty eight saves to earn the shutout.
Game Highlights:
How they doin’? Looking back on this week
The New Jersey Devils are off to a much better than expected start this season compared to last season. New Jersey won two out of three games against the Rangers and Islanders this week. Tuesday night’s game versus the Rangers would be Jack Hughes big breakout game as he added two goals and an assist. Hughes also added a power play goal this week against the Islanders. Hughes is really coming into his own and his hard work in the off-season is definitely showing that it’s paying off. Great work by the former number one overall pick. He needs to keep on improving as there’s definitely more levels to his game.
New Jersey’s youth movement plan is going very well so far. Besides Hughes, rookies Yegor Sharngovich and especially defenseman Ty Smith are showing the future is bright for Jersey’s hockey team. The youngsters and the veterans as well are buying into what head coach Lindy Ruff is selling. They’re playing very fast, skilled, while also taking care of things on the defensive end as well. Ruff’s system seems to fit this young group well and I am very impressed with what I’m seeing so far. Despite their number one goalie MacKenzie Blackwood being out and on the COVID list, the Devils managed to still play well in his absence. Overall, another good week for the New Jersey Devils.
Upcoming Games:
1/26/21: NJ Devils vs Philadelphia Flyers @ 7pm EST
1/28/21: NJ Devils vs Philadelphia Flyers @ 7pm EST
1/30/21 NJ Devils @ Buffalo Sabres 1:00pm EST
1/31/21 NJ Devils @ Buffalo Sabres 1:00pm EST
