Devils 4, Canucks 1: Hischier's power-play pair sinks Vancouver
Nico Hischier scored his 200th career goal and added another as New Jersey converted three of four man-advantages to beat Vancouver at Prudential Center.
The New Jersey Devils beat the Vancouver Canucks 4-1 at Prudential Center on Saturday, and the special teams gap decided it. New Jersey scored on three of its four power plays; Vancouver's only goal also came with the man advantage.
A first period that flipped
Vancouver struck first. Linus Karlsson scored on the power play, set up by Brock Boeser and Jake DeBrusk, to make it 1-0. The lead lasted until Nico Hischier answered on a New Jersey power play, with assists from Luke Hughes and Arseny Gritsyuk. It was Hischier's first goal of the season and, per NHL.com, his 200th in the NHL.
Late in the period, Jesper Boqvist put the Devils ahead from a rebound. Rookie Amadeus Lombardi had the original shot and picked up his first NHL point on the play. According to the Canadian Press, it was New Jersey's first lead of the season.
The second period settled it
Jesper Bratt made it 3-1 with a power-play goal early in the second, assisted by Jack Hughes and Hischier. Hischier then added a second power-play goal at the end of the period for 4-1, with Hughes and Bratt assisting. Hischier finished with two goals and an assist, Bratt with a goal and an assist, and Jack Hughes with two assists. There was no scoring in the third.
The power-play numbers are the real story. The Canadian Press notes the Devils had gone 1-for-14 on the man advantage coming in. NHL.com adds that Vancouver has now allowed six power-play goals over its past two games, and three more in a 7-2 loss at Carolina on Thursday.
In goal
Jake Allen stopped 20 shots in his 500th NHL game. NHL.com says that makes him one of three goalies, with Jacob Markstrom and Martin Brodeur, to win in his 500th game while with the Devils. "We let our guard down for a second, but that's my job," Allen said afterward.
At the other end, Vancouver's Leevi Merilainen made 31 saves but left the game late in the first period after his skate blade detached from his boot, NHL.com reports. Kevin Lankinen finished the period and allowed one goal on three shots.
What it means
New Jersey improves to 2-2-0 after losing two straight. Vancouver falls to 2-4-0 and has lost three in a row. Boeser summed up the Canucks' view: "Five-on-five, I thought it wasn't that bad ... just special teams."
Hischier said of his goal drought: "It's a numbers game and eventually they go in." The Devils host Ottawa on Monday; Vancouver visits the Rangers on Sunday.