New Jersey Devils (10-14-5 25pts) @
Detroit Red Wings (15-13-3 33pts)
Game Recap:
Tonight’s matchup features the New Jersey Devils heading to “Motor City” to take on the Detroit Red Wings. Both teams this evening would feature depleted lineups as players were put into the COVID-19 protocol. Despite playing a man down, the Devils played really well in the first period as they jumped on the Red Wings early and often. Unfortunately that didn’t translate to an early lead as a Detroit got the first goal of the game thanks to their captain Dylan Larkin. Filip Hronek shot the puck at the boards where it caromed towards the front of the net which confused Devils goalie Akira Schmid and right towards Larkin for an easy empty net goal and a 1-0 lead at the 15:39 mark. A few minutes later, New Jersey was finally rewarded for their strong play as Michael McLeod shot a fluttering puck that would puzzle Red Wings goalie Thomas Greiss and get by him for his second goal of the season. The score would be tied 1-1 after the first period.
Period two saw things unravel for the New Jersey Devils at around the midway point. Dylan Larkin was left wide open in the slot and put it over the blocker for his second of the game and fourteenth of the season. Seconds later, Tyler Bertuzzi cuts to the high slot and ripped a shot top shelf for his eleventh of the season. Detroit wouldn’t be done scoring as Dylan Larkin would complete the hat trick at the 15:47 mark. New Jersey did score another goal as Dawson Mercer got in on a breakaway and scored a short handed goal to cut the lead to 4-2. That would be the score after two periods.
Detroit kept New Jersey off the scoreboard the rest of the way and added to their lead as Tyler Bertuzzi scored his second goal of the game and his twelfth of the season. Final score of tonight’s game would be 5-2 in favor of the Detroit Red Wings over the New Jersey Devils. The Devils are right back at it tomorrow night as they return home to play the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Lineups
New Jersey Devils
Detroit Red Wings
Game Highlights
First Period
Second Period
Third Period
Final Stats
| NJ | DET | |
| Shots | 33 | 30 |
| Hits | 21 | 10 |
| Power Play | 0/2 | 0/3 |
| Face-Offs | 48% | 51% |
Next Up: New Jersey Devils vs Pittsburgh Penguins, Sunday 12/19/21 @ 7pm EST
The Xperience Hockey Talk 
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