Rookie Dawson Mercer and Damon Severson netted first-period goals, while Jonathan Bernier made 27 saves, leading the New Jersey Devils to a 4-2 victory over the Seattle Kraken on Tuesday night.
The Devils secured their second consecutive win to start the season, while Seattle dropped to 1-3-1 on its five-game road trip, just before their much-anticipated home opener against Vancouver on Saturday night.
“We fought hard tonight and tried to come back,” Kraken coach Dave Hakstol said. “But we just ran out of time and energy.”
Jimmy Vesey also scored for New Jersey, and Pavel Zacha added an empty-netter with 20 seconds left to seal the victory.
“I liked how we finished the game,” Devils coach Lindy Ruff said. “The way we played in the third period, we’ll win a lot of games. We defended well.”
Riley Sheahan and Jared McCann scored for Seattle, while Joey Daccord made 28 saves in the net.
Mercer kicked off the scoring at 5:02 in the first period, slipping the puck past Daccord, who started in place of Chris Driedger, who was placed on injured reserve following an appearance in Monday’s 6-1 loss to Philadelphia. Tomas Tatar and Ryan Graves assisted on the goal.
“It was great. I saw the saucer pass coming, and it all worked out,” Mercer said. “It’s a moment to remember.”
Ruff praised his rookie’s performance. “I’m really happy that he got his first goal. He took advantage of a great play,” Ruff said. “He’s a competitive young man who loves the game.”
Severson made it 2-0 at 6:42 in the first period with his first goal of the season, assisted by Graves and Jack Hughes. Severson appreciated the crowd’s energy throughout the game. “The atmosphere was fantastic from the puck drop,” he said. “And we got the win.”
Shortly after New Jersey’s second goal, Seattle defenseman Jeremy Lauzon struck Hughes into the boards and didn’t return. Devils forward Mason Geertsen responded by fighting Lauzon. Ruff later reported that Hughes is day-to-day and will be re-evaluated on Wednesday.
Seattle reduced the deficit to 2-1 midway through the second period when Sheahan scored by firing a rebound past Bernier. Adam Larsson and Vince Dunn assisted on the goal.
Vesey restored the Devils’ two-goal lead at 14:48 in the second period, scoring his first goal with New Jersey, assisted by Andreas Johnsson and Colton White.
“He had a really strong game,” Ruff said of Vesey, who earned a spot on the roster through a training camp tryout. “He put in much effort during camp, battling against young players.”
Seattle appeared to cut the lead to 3-2 late in the second period, but Alex Wennberg’s goal was overturned after a Devils’ challenge revealed the play was offside.
The Kraken did close the gap to 3-2 in the third period with a 5-on-3 power play goal by McCann, his third of the season, assisted by Mark Giordano and Yanni Gourde.
“We pushed back when we were down,” Giordano said. “But we just couldn’t find that extra goal. We need to generate more offense.”
The Devils dominated the first period, outshooting the Kraken 14-7. The period ended with a power play opportunity for New Jersey, and Nico Hischier nearly scored, tipping a shot past Daccord as time expired.
The game was physical throughout, with several fights breaking out, including one between Seattle’s Brandon Tanev and New Jersey’s Michael McLeod just 2:27 into the game. Ryan Donato of Seattle also fought with New Jersey’s Jonas Siegenthaler late in the second period.
Seattle’s Jordan Eberle had a breakaway in the first period but was denied by Bernier.
Giordano looked ahead to the Kraken’s home opener, saying, “Playing in front of our fans and families will be special. We’re also looking forward to valuable practice time at home.”
SEASON DEBUT
Seattle center Yanni Gourde, who won the Stanley Cup twice with the Tampa Bay Lightning, made his Kraken debut on a line with Jaden Schwartz and Jordan Eberle.
KRAKEN BREAKDOWN
Seattle’s roster includes eight first-round NHL Draft picks, six second-round picks, two third-round picks, three fourth-round picks, and one pick in each of the fifth, sixth, and seventh rounds.
SCRATCHES
The Kraken scratched defensemen Will Borgen and Haydn Fleury and forward Alex Barre-Boulet. Due to injury and COVID protocols, Colin Blackwell and Calle Jarnkrok have yet to play this season. The Devils scratched forwards Frederik Gauthier and Marian Studenic, and defenseman Christian Jaros.
UP NEXT:
- Devils: Host Washington Capitals on Thursday night.
- Kraken: Host Vancouver Canucks on Saturday night in their home opener, kicking off a four-game homestand.
