Dougie Hamilton, Erik Haula, Jesper Boqvist, and Timo Meier each recorded a goal and an assist, leading the New Jersey Devils to a 6-3 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks on Saturday night. This was the Devils’ second consecutive win.
Ryan Graves also scored, and Dawson Mercer added an empty-net goal for the Devils, who now have 104 points, just one behind first-place Carolina in the Metropolitan Division. Jack Hughes, New Jersey’s leading scorer at 21 years old, contributed two assists.
Andreas Athanasiou scored a goal and an assist for the last-place Blackhawks. Tyler Johnson scored in the third consecutive game, and rookie Lukas Reichel deflected in a goal. Chicago suffered its eighth straight loss.
Longtime Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews returned from a two-month medical leave of absence, making his first appearance since January 28 at Edmonton. Toews took the opening faceoff and assisted on Athanasiou’s goal in the third period.
“I’m definitely finding my way a little bit,” Toews said. The first period was rough. That’s a fast team, a fast game.”
Toews announced his leave on February 19 due to Chronic Immune Response Syndrome and “long COVID.” He resumed practice with the team on Tuesday but did not commit to returning this season and hinted at possible retirement. His eight-year, $84 million contract expires at the end of the season.
The Blackhawks stayed competitive into the second period before the speedy Devils accelerated late in the period to take the lead and extend it.
New Jersey has had slow starts but strong finishes before, noted coach Lindy Ruff.
“We’ve had a lot of games where the first period hasn’t been our quickest,” Ruff said. “We gained momentum in the second period and carried it into the third. It’s one area I’d like our team to improve in—the mentality in the first 10 minutes of a game.”
Meier agreed with Ruff’s assessment.
“I’m obviously not happy with how we started the game, but I started the game,” Meier said. You just have to turn it on. We’ve got a lot of speed, a lot of guys with skill who can make things happen.”
Hamilton, a defenseman, scored his 20th goal, achieving this milestone for the first time in his 11-year career. Haula scored for the third straight game.
New Jersey backup Mackenzie Blackwood made 14 saves, while Chicago’s Alex Stalock stopped 34 shots.
TOEWS TIDBITS
Toews centered a line with wingers Reese Johnson and Austin Wagner, playing 14 minutes over 18 shifts.
NOTEWORTHY
- With Toews returning, Blackhawks forward MacKenzie Entwistle sat out.
- New Jersey center Yegor Sharangovich played in his 200th game.
- According to coach Luke Richardson, Chicago defenseman Jarred Tinordi (hip) missed his third game but is close to returning.
- The Devils scratched defenseman Brendan Smith and forwards Curtis Lazar and Nathan Bastian.
UP NEXT
- Devils: At Winnipeg on Sunday night.
- Blackhawks: At Calgary on Tuesday night.
