Vitek Vanecek made 32 saves and held Detroit scoreless for nearly the entire game as the New Jersey Devils triumphed over the Red Wings 5-1 on Wednesday night.
Dougie Hamilton, Nico Hischier, Alexander Holtz, and Jack Hughes each contributed a goal and an assist, while Michael McLeod also found the net for New Jersey.
The Devils, boasting a 14-2-1 road record, clinched the season series 2-1 against Detroit.
Lucas Raymond scored on a late power play to avoid a shutout for Detroit. Red Wings goalie Ville Husso made 21 saves.
Detroit forward Robby Fabbri made his season debut after tearing the ACL in his right knee in March.
Dougie Hamilton opened the scoring midway through the second period, just five seconds after Detroit’s Ben Chiarot was penalized for tripping. Hamilton’s slap shot, assisted by Hughes and Hischier, broke the deadlock.
New Jersey’s second goal came similarly. With Jake Walman in the penalty box for tripping, Hamilton took a point shot that Hischier redirected past Husso.
The Devils extended their lead to 3-0 two minutes into the third period. Husso stopped Miles Wood’s shot on a 2-on-1, but Alexander Holtz seized the rebound and passed to McLeod, who scored.
Holtz added another goal shortly after a tripping penalty was killed, flicking a shot from the slot over Husso’s shoulder.
Game Notes
- After he cleared waivers, the Red Wings assigned LW Jakub Vrana to the Grand Rapids Griffins of the AHL. Before being waived, Vrana played three games for the Griffins on a conditioning loan. He has spent most of the season in the player assistance program the NHL and NHL Players’ Association set up.
- Hamilton has 24 points in 32 career games against Detroit.
- New Jersey is 19-0-1 when leading after two periods.
UP NEXT
- Devils: Host the St. Louis Blues on Thursday.
- Red Wings: Host the Florida Panthers on Friday.
