The New Jersey Devils ended their four-game winless streak on Monday night, defeating the Seattle Kraken 3-2 at Climate Pledge Arena. This much-needed victory marked the Devils' first win of 2025, delivering hope and momentum after several tough games on the road.
Right from the start, the Devils pressed hard against the Kraken, setting the tone for the night. Dawson Mercer opened the scoring with his 10th goal of the season, capitalizing on the momentum early. The excitement was short-lived as Adam Larsson responded for the Kraken, scoring from the blue line to equalize at one goal each.
The tide seemed to shift after this early exchange, but as the first period came to close, the Devils regained their composure. They dominated the second period, generating 10 scoring chances without allowing the Kraken to register any. Just as the second frame was winding down, Paul Cotter netted his 10th goal to re-establish the Devils' lead, heading to the final period with a 2-1 advantage.
But then the Kraken struck back quickly, leveling the game at two early in the third. The Devils, hoping to not let frustrations boil over from their recent losing streak, responded instantly. Jack Hughes found Ondrej Palat, who delivered the game-winning goal just 37 seconds after the Kraken's equalizer.
Jacob Markstrom, acquired last offseason, emerged as the hero of the night with 21 saves on 23 shots. His performance was pivotal, particularly following the team's lackluster run leading up to the game. Markstrom's athletic prowess was on full display, with significant saves keeping the Kraken at bay. His spectacular glove save against Eeli Tolvanen was perhaps the highlight of his night, showing why he was brought to the team.
“You have to start somewhere, and today was a big effort for our group,” Markstrom reflected post-game, expressing relief at turning the team’s fortunes around. Coach Sheldon Keefe echoed the sentiments, praising the quick response after losing the lead. "Big play by Jack, great finish by Pally,” Keefe said, highlighting the team's ability to stay composed under pressure.
The game was pivotal not only for the standings but for the Devils' morale. After enduring frustrations stemming from previous losses, including defensive lapses and missed opportunities, this win brought forth renewed optimism. Though acknowledging areas for improvement, such as giving up too many chances, both Markstrom and Palat expressed their determination to continue building on this victory.
Markstrom added, "It’s not a fun feeling when you lose a few in a row... we needed to get back to winning hockey games.” His words reflect the shared urgency among the squad as they seek to regain their form and eliminate any remnants of doubt.
Now with this victory, the Devils will look to build on their success as they prepare for their next challenge against the New York Rangers. With the confidence boost from this win, the team hopes to replicate this performance and start another winning streak, learning from past mistakes along the way.
Indeed, this match against the Kraken will be remembered as the moment the Devils turned the page. The feeling of triumph ignites ambitions for the rest of the season as fans and players alike remain hopeful for brighter days ahead.