New Jersey Devils open season with statement win over Edmonton Oilers

The New Jersey Devils have begun their 2018-19 season with a huge 5-2 win over the Edmonton Oilers. 

Last season, the New Jersey Devils pulled off one of the most exciting surprises in NHL history. Many pundits projected them to finish towards the bottom of the standings. However, the Devils made the playoffs. After a quiet offseason, people again expected them to miss the postseason. With a huge 5-2 win over the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday, Oct. 6, in Stockholm, Sweden, the Devils made a huge statement – they’re ready to prove everyone wrong again.

New Jersey’s offense was strong last season. It didn’t take long for them to get on the board for the first time in the 2018-19 season. 58 seconds into the game, forward Kyle Palmieri retrieved a shot from defenseman Damon Severson near the boards and drove to the net, putting it past Oilers goaltender Cam Talbot.

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However, Edmonton was able to retaliate less than four minutes later. On a power play, Connor McDavid took the puck behind the net, drawing the Devils to cover him. This left Milan Lucic open near the net. McDavid fed him the puck for the goal.

After entering the second period tied at one, the Devils took over, outshooting the Oilers 10-4 and scoring two goals. The first goal came just over two minutes into the period, courtesy of a power play goal from Palmieri, his second goal of the game. Nico Hischier and Will Butcher picked up their first assists of the season on that one.

Less than a minute later, the Devils forecheck earned them their third goal of the night. Miles Wood stole the puck from Talbot behind the net and found a wide-open Travis Zajac near the net for an easy tap-in. The Wood and Zajac connection would later connect again in the third period, with the latter scoring his second goal of the game.

Desperate for offense, the Oilers put Leon Draisaitl and McDavid together. It paid dividends, as Draisaitl finished an odd-man rush to cut Edmonton’s deficit to two goals. Devils goaltender Keith Kinkaid had to make some big saves towards the end, but stood tall, allowing just two goals on 19 shots. Both of the goals he allowed weren’t his fault. Forward Stefan Nosen iced the game at the 18:31 mark, scoring on an empty net.

Overall, the Devils looked very strong. They were clearly the better team despite missing top-six forward Jesper Bratt, who is out with a broken jaw. The Devils penalty kill was very strong as well, as they allowed just one shot on goal despite having to go shorthanded four times.

Last season, New Jersey relied quite heavily on Hischier and reigning Hart Trophy winner Taylor Hall. The latter didn’t pick up any points, though he did have four shots on goal. Meanwhile, Hischier had an assist. It’s a good sign for the Devils that they were able to generate offense despite two of their best players being uncharacteristically silent.

The Devils next game will be on Thursday, when they have their real first home game against the defending Stanley Cup champion Washington Capitals. Expect a warm reception from a rightfully excited Devils crowd.