The New Jersey Devils’ decision to trade last year’s Most Valuable Player Taylor Hall to Arizona has put pressure on other players to step up and lead the team.
In their first game since Monday’s trade, Hall’s former linemates, Nico Hischier and Kyle Palmieri, answered the call.
Hischier and Palmeiri on Wednesday scored second-period goals as the Devils beat the Anaheim Ducks 3-1, giving them consecutive wins for only the fourth time in this disappointing season.
“I think it’s for the young guys coming up. It’s those close games and finding ways to win or finding ways to close them out,” Palmieri said. “Tonight, finding a way to come from behind and find a lead going into the third, and come out there and keep playing on our toes — they had a couple looks, but we held the fort.”
Sami Vatanen also scored and goalie Mackenzie Blackwood made 26 saves as the Devils gave interim coach Alain Nasreddine his second straight win.
Adam Henrique scored against his former team for the Ducks, who squandered an early 1-0 lead in losing to the Devils for the first time in four games.
Goalie Ryan Miller had 17 saves as the Ducks lost their second straight game on a four-game east coast trip.
“Obviously, you get a good start and get a lead, and go from there,” Henrique said. “We have to find a way to get that next one. That’s the key right now. We are having a hard time to get two and three, and put our foot on the throat of the other team.”
Anaheim defenseman Michael Del Zotto had a hand in the Devils’ goals. He had a giveaway on Hischier’s goal early in the second period and was in the penalty box for interference when Palmieri gave the Devils a 2-1 lead at 11 minutes, 29 seconds in the second period.
The tide changed early in the second period when Del Zotto misplayed a puck sent around the boards. It deflected toward the net, where Jesper Bratt got the puck and found Hischier for a shot low in the right circle at 1:28.
Bratt is Hall’s replacement at left wing.
“I feel comfortable playing with [Bratt],” Hischier said. “I came in with him in this league and have played a lot of games already with him. He’s a great playmaker who can score, so it’s a lot of fun to play with him.”
Palmieri got his 13th goal of the season in the closing seconds of the penalty against Del Zotto. He made a toe-drag move on defenseman Cam Fowler and beat the screened goaltender from the right circle.
Also on Wednesday, it was:
‧ Blues 2, Oilers 1
‧ Devils 3, Ducks 1
‧ Avalanche 4, Blackhawks 1
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