The Pittsburgh Penguins mounted a decisive victory over the New Jersey Devils on March 15, 2025, continuing their four-game winning streak with a commanding 7-3 win at PPG Paints Arena. The match showcased impressive performances from key players on both sides, solidifying the Penguins' momentum as they gear up for the final push of the regular season.
From the outset, the intensity of the game was palpable, with both teams eager to maintain their respective winning streaks. The Devils struck first as Cody Glass, playing against his former team, opened the scoring with his second goal as a Devil at 10:08 of the first period. Assists came from Jesper Bratt and Luke Hughes, setting the tone early for New Jersey.
But the Penguins, who had previously won their last two games at home, rallied quickly. Just over seven minutes after Glass's goal, Connor Dewar found the back of the net, leveling the score at 1-1. The Penguins took the lead 25 seconds later when Danton Heinen scored, capitalizing on a fumble by Devils forward Dawson Mercer, who mishandled the puck along the boards.
The first period concluded with the Penguins up 2-1 after Heinen's quick strike, building on their solid momentum. Pittsburgh's efforts were bolstered by strong play from netminder Tristan Jarry, who was instrumental, making 25 saves throughout the game. Jarry had noted earlier, “We’ve been playing a team game all over the ice. I think it’s been leading to our offense. When we’re playing good defense, it leads to offense and we’re getting chances,” emphasizing the connection between their defensive and offensive strategies.
Moving to the second period, the Penguins extended their lead, as Rickard Rakell scored his 31st goal of the season with support from Sidney Crosby, who notched his 50th assist, making it 3-1 early on. Pittsburgh maintained pressure throughout the period, and the Devils faced challenges, including penalties and missed opportunities.
A significant moment came when the Devils had what seemed to be a short-handed goal from Nathan Bastian disallowed due to an offside call, which deprived them of key momentum. The ensuing four-minute kill allowed the Penguins to hold onto their lead as they regrouped.
Despite facing adversity, the Devils managed to narrow the gap early in the third period. Philip Tomasino capitalized on defensive errors to score, bolstering the Penguins to a 4-1 lead. Nevertheless, the Devils responded admirably with Timo Meier scoring on the power play, followed by another goal from Nico Hischier, who redirected Hughes' shot to make it 4-3.
The fight from the Devils reflected their resilience, but the Penguins capitalized on their chances as the game wore on. With just over five minutes to play, Erik Karlsson restored the Penguins' lead to two with his power-play goal before Dewar put the game on ice with his second of the night, scoring on the empty net with only seconds left on the clock. Kevin Hayes added another for good measure, sealing the 7-3 win.
Jacob Markstrom, who manned the net for the Devils, had a challenging outing, allowing six goals on just 22 shots. The defeat was particularly disappointing for New Jersey, as their defensive lapses were costly; notable were the failed clearing attempts and turnovers leading directly to goals.
Jesper Bratt's contributions did not go unnoticed, as his three assists tied him with franchise legend Scott Stevens for the most assists in a single season with 60, which is no small feat.
Following the game, the Devils aim to regroup as they prepare for their next challenge against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Meanwhile, the Penguins will look to keep their winning ways alive when they host the New York Islanders, hoping to extend their impressive streak to five games.
The game on Saturday highlighted the continued importance of strategic play and resilience. With their positions on the line, both teams must now refocus on the path to the playoffs, where every point matters.