With just minutes left in the third, Beau Bennett ripped home the game-winning goal to seal off the New Jersey Devils outstanding road trip.
- New Jersey Devils 4 (19-18-9, 47 pts)
- Minnesota Wild 3 (28-10-5, 61 pts)
- NHL, Final, Box Score
- Xcel Energy Center, St. Paul, Minnesota
When the New Jersey Devils took flight to Edmonton just over a week ago, no one would have reason to believe they would gain seven out of a possible eight points. Starting out with a heartbreaking OT loss in Edmonton, it looked like it was heading in the same direction the season overall was going … down.
But after strong defense and persistent offensive pressure, the Devils skimmed by the Flames by just a hair. They then went on to Vancouver, a far less intimidating team, and beat them with an incredible and newly present offensive attack, Taylor Hall stealing the second point in overtime.
Tonight, in Minnesota, after the Wild jumped out to a two-goal lead, it looked like the Devils just got lucky on their last two victories.
On New Jersey’s first and only power play opportunity of the game, the offense took control. After a brilliant set up and an even prettier pass, Pavel Zacha, the sixth overall draft pick from 2015, buried a one-timer from the left side of the net. New Jersey was back in the game.
After two periods in the books, the score remained 2-1, and a final frame frenzy needed to occur. Just five minutes into the third, Henrique redefined sniped and blew a wrister passed the unbeatable Dubnyk. 2-2.
What would certainly be a hard blow to the team, the Wild then jumped back out to a 3-2 lead. Here is where the Devils have been shining best. Nothing is getting them down: Only twenty-two seconds later, Kyle Palmieri take the lead away and ties it up.
Offensive bursts going back and forth, Devan Dubnyk and Cory Schneider played each puck perfectly, until Miles Wood, the 21-year-old upcoming star erupted in the corner and set up Beau Bennett’s game-winning rocket from between the circles. Taking the lead with only two minutes and change to play, Minnesota was in a situation they haven’t been playing in … behind.
Well..that was one Wild finish. #NJDvsMIN pic.twitter.com/gp11USOQGs
— New Jersey Devils (@NJDevils) January 18, 2017
The Devils on their high horse, justifiably so, kept the puck away from Schneider, let alone the back of the net. The Devils win — final score: 4-3.
The Devils achieved something incredible. It may seem average to a team like the Blackhawks, Capitals, or Penguins, but the Devils are mustering up something that hasn’t truly been in the works since 2003: Chemistry. Every player in red and black is on the same page.
This season may just turn around. Let’s go Devils!
#BeauKnows GWG's. #NJDvsMIN pic.twitter.com/EMOZJkUvrF
— New Jersey Devils (@NJDevils) January 18, 2017
Put a Beau on it! ? #NJDvsMIN pic.twitter.com/tyyKy9L2Fi
— New Jersey Devils (@NJDevils) January 18, 2017
Played right into the Palms of our hands. ? #NJDvsMIN pic.twitter.com/QaJ9bmBI6Z
— New Jersey Devils (@NJDevils) January 18, 2017
*Looks up "bar down" in the dictionary.*
Finds this @AdamHenrique snipe. #NJDvsMIN pic.twitter.com/6MLzFsHIxu
— New Jersey Devils (@NJDevils) January 18, 2017