The New Jersey Devils were victorious over the Pittsburgh Penguins at PPG Paints Arena by winning 5-2 last night. Nico Hischier had two goals and two assists, while Jack Hughes, Yegor Sharangovich, and Dawson Mercer also had multiple point nights. The Devils will play the Winnipeg Jets tonight at Prudential Center at 7pm ET.
Thoughts and Musings
1. It has been awhile since the Devils had a complete game from start to finish. They kept peppering Penguins goaltender Dustin Tokarski with 42 shots on goal. The Devils rapid response offense struck back nearly 90 seconds later after Evgeni Malkin’s first goal of the game. The Penguins never really got the momentum back after Dawson Mercer’s goal in the 1st period. 2. Nico Hischier’s four point night was the first of his career. He also scored his 100th career goal after nine game goals drought. Hischier’s consistent effort each night finally paid off and his “stick with it… attitude helped him get to this milestone.
3. Jack Hughes had two assists after coming back from injury that cost him four games. Hughes looked somewhat rusty at times but managed to get back in the groove. His sweet no hesitation quick pass to Jesper Bratt in the third period gave the Devils a commanding 4-1 lead. 4. The Penguins are 0-5-3 in their past eight games against teams in the Metropolitan Division. Even with this unsavory record, the Penguins still hold a wild card spot alongside the New York Islanders. Could this be the last gasp of the Crosby/Malkin era?
5. Vitek Vanecek is now 24-4-3 with a 2.30 GAA and .917 save percentage. He has helped the Devils earn a point in the last 13 games played that he has been in net. The Washington Capitals sure could have used Vanecek last night during the Stadium Series game after losing to the Carolina Hurricanes 4-1.
Nico’s 100th
Nico Hischier just scored his 100th career goal. All of course with the #NJDevils #NicoHischier #LetsGoDevils @NJDevils @JerseyJoe11_NJ @devilscentralnj @DevilsMSGN @DevilsRedAlert @DevilsInsiders @BryceSalvador @KenDaneykoMSG @BillSpaulding pic.twitter.com/gzofU2Q4pt
— lilfireboy87designs (@lfb87designs) February 18, 2023
PODCAST - Nico's Four Point Night Powers Devils By Penguins 5-2