The New Jersey Devils are beginning to find their rhythm after a slow start to the season.
Nikita Gusev and Jesper Boqvist scored in the shootout to secure a 2-1 win for the Devils over the Winnipeg Jets on Tuesday night.
Nico Hischier scored the lone regulation goal for the Devils, who have now gone 4-1-2 in their last seven games.
Mackenzie Blackwood was solid in net, making 32 saves for New Jersey, which is currently in the middle of a five-game road trip.
“The group is still a bit frustrated with how we started the season, but we’ve turned a new page with how we’re playing now,” Blackwood said. “The results are starting to come, which is great. The vibes in the room are getting better. We’ve got a long way to go, but we’re headed in the right direction.”
Andrew Copp scored for the Jets, who began a four-game homestand with this loss. Despite the setback, it was the first time Winnipeg had lost in extra time this season.
Connor Hellebuyck made 31 saves for the Jets, who had struggled in their previous homestand, going 1-4.
“We held ourselves to a high standard and didn’t quite play up to that,” Copp said. “But it’s not like we were far off. We did some good things, played well defensively, and (Hellebuyck) was great again. We just need to keep building.”
Winnipeg had previously won seven straight games against the Devils.
“I think the game unfolded exactly as I expected,” said Jets coach Paul Maurice. “They’re a good, quick team, and we didn’t have all our speed tonight. It was a grind, and that’s the kind of game they play.”
New Jersey took a 1-0 lead in the first period, and the game was tied after two.
Hischier scored his second goal of the season at 4:44 of the first period, capitalizing on a rebound. This extended his point streak to four games, during which he has accumulated two goals and three assists. Taylor Hall assisted on the goal, bringing his point streak to six games with a total of eight points, including seven assists.
“It feels good,” Hischier said. “We knew in the locker room that if we kept playing our game, the wins would come, and now they are.”
Copp tied the game at 8:38 of the second period by deflecting in a shot from Josh Morrissey.
Late in the second period, Jack Hughes had a breakaway chance, but Hellebuyck denied the first overall pick from this year’s draft.
New Jersey led 12-8 in shots on goal after the first period. By the end of regulation, the Devils had outshot the Jets 31-29, with Winnipeg having a 4-1 shot advantage in overtime.
INJURIES
Jets center Bryan Little left the game with 12:33 remaining in the third period after being hit in the head by a one-timer from teammate Nikolaj Ehlers. Little collapsed on the ice, bleeding slightly before being helped off by trainers. Coach Maurice mentioned that the puck likely hit Little’s ear. Little had missed the season’s first nine games due to a concussion.
UP NEXT
- New Jersey continues their road trip with a game against the Calgary Flames on Thursday.
- Winnipeg will host the Vancouver Canucks on Friday.
