Dougie Hamilton’s three-point performance highlighted a dominant showing for the New Jersey Devils, who continued their winning ways without changing much in their game plan.
Hamilton recorded a goal and two assists, Vitek Vanecek made 24 saves for his second shutout, and the NHL-leading Devils defeated the Chicago Blackhawks 3-0 on Tuesday night, marking their 21st win in 26 games.
“It’s not just me like the team playing really good,” said Vanecek, who is now 12-2-1. “Honest, I’m happy I can be here. Everybody’s happy when we’re winning. It’s always fun so it’s not just me, it’s the team.”
Nico Hischier and Jesper Bratt also scored, while Jack Hughes contributed two exceptional assists for the Devils, who are a league-best 21-4-1 despite losing their first two games of the season.
Arvid Soderblom made 26 saves for the struggling Blackhawks, who are 1-9-1 in their last 11 games. They were also shut out 3-0 by the New York Islanders on Sunday.
Blackhawks defenseman Jack Johnson noted that while goaltending has been solid all season, the team has struggled to capitalize on scoring chances, managing just 23 goals in their last 11 games.
“You don’t have to be a hockey expert to know if you don’t score, you can’t win,” Johnson said.
Hamilton scored at 11:27 of the first period, coming off the bench and converting a great cross-ice pass from Hughes to beat Soderblom from the left circle.
Devils coach Lindy Ruff praised Hamilton’s performance, noting he could have scored multiple goals in the first period alone.
“He made it really tough on Chicago on their coverage,” Ruff said. “But again, when we do that, and if we make a bad play, then all of a sudden the puck’s going the other way, but part of that is our game, part of that was trying to create confusion. So really liked Doug’s game. He’s been solid all year.”
New Jersey expanded their lead in the second period with goals from Hischier and Bratt. Hischier’s 11th goal came during a delayed penalty call against Chicago, while Bratt’s 10th came on a power play.
Hamilton assisted on both goals, marking his first three-point game since Dec. 17, 2019, when he had three assists for Carolina against Winnipeg.
Hischier scored from the top of the right circle on a shot Soderblom couldn’t see after losing his stick. Hughes extended his point streak to six games with another cross-ice pass to find Bratt, who fired a one-timer into the top corner.
“We’re a team that wants to make a difference, we want to win, and when we come in after a (first) period like that, we really bring the group together, and we know how we need to play,” Hughes said.
NUMBERS
New Jersey is 10-0-1 against the Western Conference and 19-1-1 when scoring three goals. The team is 18-0-1 when Hischier earns a point. The Devils have allowed one or fewer goals nine times, one more than last season.
SHORTHANDED
Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews was scratched due to flu-like symptoms. With Toews out and Petr Mrazek placed on injured reserve retroactive to Dec. 3, Chicago recalled goaltender Jaxson Stauber and forward Lukas Reichel from Rockford of the AHL.
UP NEXT
- Blackhawks: Return home to face Winnipeg on Friday.
- Devils: Host the Islanders on Friday.
