The New Jersey Devils defeated the Boston Bruins 4-3 from TD Garden in Boston. The win brings their record to 2-5-4 on the season.
The Least You Should Know:
[sny-box]
- The Devils scored two power play goals in the last 1:08 of the third period to beat the Bruins.
- New Jersey was excellent with the extra skater, tallying four PP goals on the night.
- The Bruins got out to a quick 2-0 lead in the first behind a power play goal by Torey Krug and a fortuitous bounce in front that gave Jarome Iginla his second tally of the season. After that, the Devils added a power play goal by Adam Henrique, but Milan Lucic scored with less than a minute to go in the first to stretch the lead to 3-1.
- Â The team battled back behind a strong performance by Martin Brodeur, who was excellent the rest of the way after the three-goal first period. He made timely saves in the third to give the Devils a chance.
[/sny-box]
For all of the frustrating finishes, odd bounces and perhaps just bad luck, on Saturday night, it was the Devils who came away with a monumental win up in Boston.
After a first period that saw some fortunate bounces result in a 3-1 lead after the first twenty minutes, New Jersey battled the rest of the way and finally got their chance. Torey Krug went off on a double minor and Patrice Bergeron followed suit with a delay of game penalty that allowed the Devils a rare 6-on-3 advantage that resulted in a goal by Marek Zidlicky. Zidlicky, who has eight points (1g, 7a) on the season, knotted the game with only 68 seconds remaining.
Then it was Andy Greene's turn to play hero. Sure, it was a busted play after Damien Brunner partially fanned on a shot. The result was an almost perfect "pass" to Greene, who beat Tuukka Rask to give the Devils the lead.
The man-advantage was flat out sensational. Four goals on the power play against a staunch defensive club like Boston is about as good as it gets in terms of execution on the power play in this league.
Not to be lost in the talk of the goals was the play of Martin Brodeur. The first two goals were the result of bounces that went the way of the Bruins. A three-goal period isn't easy for a goaltender to overcome, but that's exactly why Brodeur has the hardware and accolades to his name. The  man with the most wins in NHL history blanked the Bruins over the last two periods to give the Devils a chance. He came up with a great save on David Krejci in the third, with Krejci parked in the slot. Brodeur's strong play over the rest of the game allowed for the comeback attempt.
Jaromir Jagr turned in another strong effort, notching two assists on the night, giving him nine points (2g, 7a) on the season. Damien Brunner had a two-point night as well, with his power play goal and assist on the game-winner.
While the win over the Rangers was big, this one could be the turning point. You have to expect that this team feels rewarded after a game where they refused to give up and eventually cracked a goaltender that has been virtually unbeatable this season.
After the struggles that this team has had over their first eleven games, this one has to feel good. No more talk of squandering a point, or what could have been. This team now has a gutsy, hard-fought win over one of the elite teams in the Eastern Conference.
What's next? They'll get a chance to keep their home point streak intact when they skate against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Tuesday night.
For now, the Devils can sit back and enjoy what is their best win of this young season.
Three Stars:Â
1. Andy Greene - have to give Greene the nod after his huge goal gave the Devils the win.
2. Martin Brodeur - how many goalies can shake off a three-goal period to play as well as Brodeur did over the final 40 minutes. An excellent performance by Brodeur
3. Marek Zidlicky - His huge goal with 1:08 left gave the Devils the tie. He has been a tremendous spark on the power play so far.