On Saturday, October 18, the New Jersey Devils hosted the Edmonton Oilers at the Prudential Center for a weekend afternoon puck drop at 3:30 p.m.
To kick off their second home game, the Devils challenged last year’s Stanley Cup finalists, securing a 5-3 win over the Oilers.
To start the first period, the Devils’ Cody Glass won the faceoff against the Oilers’ Leon Draisaitl. Not long after the start, Dawson Mercer received a penalty for high-sticking against Evan Bouchard. Despite this, Mercer has been an impeccable teammate and has demonstrated his inner “Iron Man” as the fans like to call him. In comparison to the home opener, this game was another slow start for the Devils. After both teams went scoreless in the first period, intensity picked up in the second period.
Heading into the second, Jesper Bratt received a tripping penalty against Jack Roslovic, but the Devils killed off the penalty. Center Jack Hughes went on a 1-on-3 against the Oilers, took a wrist shot and scored his second goal of the season. With an assist from Brett Pesce, Hughes put the Devils on the board 1-0.
Nearly eight minutes later, Jesper Bratt came in with a backhand power-play goal that was assisted by both Jack Hughes and Captain Nico Hischier. It was Bratt’s third goal of the season. The Devils led 2-0 at that point.
To close out the second, the Oilers scored. Oilers forward Ryan Nugent-Hopkins took a wrist shot and scored with the help of Connor McDavid and Jack Roslovic. The Oilers finally were on the board, however, they still trailed 2-1.
Leading into the final, and most eventful third period, Devils Captain Nico Hischier won the opening faceoff against Oilers Captain, Connor McDavid.
Ten minutes into the third, the Devils Cody Glass received a high-sticking penalty against Trent Frederic. Although, the Oilers had no power-play advantage and continued to trail by one. Thirty-five seconds passed while the Devils are on the penalty kill, before Connor Brown scored his third goal with the Devils this season, this time a shorthanded goal. Luke Glendening picked up his first assist of the season. Jack Hughes then notched his second goal of the game, with a wrist shot goal assisted by Jesper Bratt. Two incredible goals for Hughes on the afternoon. Hughes has scored three goals in the last two home games.
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins then scored his fourth goal of the season for the Oilers. The wrist shot was assisted by Connor McDavid and Darnell Nurse. The Edmonton goal cut the Devils’ lead in half with New Jersey maintaining a 4-2 advantage. Closer to the end of the third, Dawson Mercer scored an empty-netter giving the Devils their final goal of the night and extending the Devils’ lead to 5-2. The assist was credited to Nico Hischier. Over a minute later, former Devil, Curtis Lazar scored his first goal with the Oilers with the assists going to former Devil Adam Henrique and Ty Emberson to conclude the third period.
The Devils will next play the Toronto Maple Leafs on Tuesday, October 21 at Scotiabank Arena. Puck drop is at 7 p.m.
