While much attention has been given to No. 1 overall picks Nico Hischier and Jack Hughes as the future of the New Jersey Devils, rookie goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood is proving to be the team’s standout player.
Blackwood made a career-high 52 saves and stopped six of seven attempts in the shootout to lead the Devils to a 4-3 win over the struggling Columbus Blue Jackets on Sunday night.
“We had over 30 scoring chances,” said Columbus coach John Tortorella after his team’s fifth straight loss (0-2-3). “Blackwood was the story of the game. We had more Grade-A chances tonight than we’ve had in the last three or four weeks.”
This victory marked Blackwood’s 19th of the season, accounting for all but three of New Jersey’s wins. He is now 5-0-1 in his last six starts, including back-to-back shutouts.
“I take it one shot at a time, and today was a perfect example of that,” Blackwood said. “When things weren’t going well at the start, I just focused on making the next stop.”
Nikita Gusev and Jesper Bratt scored in the shootout for New Jersey, securing their first win against Columbus in 10 meetings. The Devils’ last victory over the Blue Jackets came in December 2017.
Pierre-Luc Dubois scored the lone shootout goal for Columbus.
Joey Anderson, Nicholas Merkley, and Kyle Palmieri found the back of the net for the Devils in regulation.
“We had some lines really clicking,” said veteran center Travis Zajac. “Mark and Joey brought energy and got us back into it. Blackie was there to shut the door, though.”
Andrew Peeke, Zach Werenski, and Kevin Stenlund scored for the Blue Jackets. Elvis Merzlikins made 23 saves but suffered his second consecutive loss.
“I need to be careful not to get frustrated,” Tortorella said. “We developed our offense and had good checking for a large part of the game. We just have to stick with it.”
Merzlikins denied Damon Severson and Hughes twice in close during the first 1:26 overtime.
The game unfolded just hours after the Devils announced they had traded defenseman and captain Andy Greene to the New York Islanders for a prospect and a second-round draft pick in 2021.
During the third period, the Devils also announced they had traded 21-goal scorer Blake Coleman to the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for junior hockey prospect Nolan Foote and a first-round pick this year.
“It’s been an emotional day for all of us,” Blackwood said. “We lost two big parts of our team — especially Andy. He’s been a leader in the room ever since I’ve been here.”
Stenlund tied the game at 3 by beating Blackwood in close after a turnover by the Devils at their blue line.
After a sluggish first period, the Devils roared back with three goals in the second to take a 3-2 lead.
Anderson scored his second of the season from the right circle at 1:20. Merkley, acquired from Arizona in the Taylor Hall trade earlier this season, netted his first NHL goal on a rebound less than three minutes later to tie the game.
Palmieri put New Jersey ahead with his team-leading 22nd goal, scoring on a counterattack from inside the right circle.
Blackwood shined in the second period, stopping 20 shots, including several high-quality chances in close.
Columbus dominated the first period, taking a 2-0 lead on goals from Peeke and Werenski.
Peeke’s goal, a rebound, was his first in the NHL. Werenski added his 18th of the season, leading all defensemen, with a shot from above the left circle.
Game Notes:
- Mirco Mueller took over Greene’s spot on the top defensive pairing with P.K. Subban.
- Hischier returned to the lineup after missing six games with a lower-body injury.
- Pierre-Luc Dubois kicked a puck into the net moments after Anderson’s goal, but it was quickly waved off.
- The 55 shots allowed by the Devils were the most they’ve conceded this season.
UP NEXT:
- Blue Jackets: Visit Philadelphia on Tuesday.
- Devils: Travel to St. Louis on Tuesday.
