Jesper Boqvist’s first goal of the season provided the spark the New Jersey Devils needed to extend their hot streak.
Boqvist scored the game-winning goal midway through the third period, leading the Devils to a 4-2 victory over the Arizona Coyotes on Saturday night, marking their ninth consecutive win.
“Timely goal scoring by different guys,” Devils coach Lindy Ruff said. “Bo getting on the score sheet gave us some energy and got us going. Soon after, we scored another one. It’s been a total team effort, with many guys contributing to our winning streak.”
Tomas Tatar had a goal and an assist, while Jack Hughes and Dougie Hamilton also found the net for the Devils. This streak is their longest since winning nine in a row from Nov. 17 to Dec. 7, 2007. Third-string goalie Akira Schmid made 16 saves in his first start of the season.
“For me, it’s just pushing the pace, getting to my spots early, and getting set for shots,” Schmid said. “It’s all about getting to the shots; that’s my main key.”
Dylan Guenther and Clayton Keller scored for Arizona, which had won the first three games of its season-high 14-game road trip. Karel Vejmelka finished with 22 saves.
“Too many turnovers,” Arizona coach André Tourigny said. “We dig in our tank of energy way too much. When you turn the puck over, you must work twice as hard to defend.”
Boqvist put the Devils ahead 3-2 with 8:41 left by converting his own rebound for his first goal of the season. Hamilton’s power-play goal with 5:45 remaining extended New Jersey’s lead.
Tatar opened the scoring at 6:29 into the game, putting the Devils up 1-0. Guenther tied it with a power-play goal at 9:04, but Hughes responded 23 seconds later with his fifth goal of the season.
Devils fans started the season with “Fire Lindy” chants directed at head coach Lindy Ruff. However, with the team’s current winning streak, they chanted “Sorry, Lindy!” throughout the Prudential Center.
“I accept the apology, and maybe one day we can all sit down and have a beer and laugh about it,” Ruff said with a smile.
Keller beat Nico Hischier and scored a backhand goal 8:19 into the second to tie it 2-2 with another power-play goal.
Schmid got the start two nights after earning his first NHL win in relief during New Jersey’s victory against Ottawa after Vitek Vanecek collided with a Senators player.
ROAD TRIPPING
The Coyotes’ road trip is tied for the longest in NHL history due to ongoing annex construction at Mullett Arena at Arizona State University. The team has relocated to the 5,000-seat arena while seeking approval for a permanent home in Tempe, Arizona.
NOTES
The Devils’ franchise record for consecutive wins is 13, from Feb. 26 to March 23, 2001. New Jersey is 11-0-0 this season when Hischier records a point. He had an assist in this game.
UP NEXT
- Coyotes: At the New York Rangers on Sunday night.
- Devils: At Montreal on Tuesday night.
