GAME RECAP: Devils 3, Oilers 0

FIRST PERIOD

Despite another strong opener Monday, the Oilers failed to take the lead for the third straight game and instead fell behind after allowing the first goal on the Devils’ first scoring attempt.

Edmonton outshot New Jersey 5-0 in the first five minutes and hit the crossbar early when Adam Henrique had a chance similar to Leon Draisaitl’s first goal in Calgary last night and found himself wide open in front for a chance. which was beaten earlier by goalie Jake Allen. the shot hit the crossbar and went out of play.

Henrique had a point in three straight games (5G, 1A) against New Jersey heading into Monday’s game and recorded his first and only NHL game against the Devils back on Dec. 17, 2023, with the Anaheim Ducks.

With the Devils given some extended time in the attacking zone, striker Jesper Bratt was able to find Stefan Noesen as he came into the area after being substituted and fired a shot towards goal that hit the left post and went over the line while Dougie Hamilton and Darnell Nurse struggled to create a screen in front.

The Devils were looking much more dangerous with a 1-0 lead towards the middle of the period when Hamilton’s shot took a slight deflection off Jeff Skinner on its way to the net, leaving Calvin Pickard in an awkward position to defend Bratt’s follower. The rebound increased, but the Oilers goalie stretched out and denied the forward the opportunity to take a point-blank shot.

Opportunities were a theme for both sides in the first period, with Edmonton and New Jersey feeling like the score could have been 3–3 with 20 minutes remaining, despite the Devils holding a slim one-goal lead at the break.

After Henrique had another near-open look at New Jersey’s goal but failed to convert, it was ultimately Jack Hughes who ended the Devils’ two-goal lead.

The elite American center inadvertently deflected Bratt’s shot from outside the box when Darnell Nurse sent it into the blue paint, causing his teammate’s shot to leave the shaft of his stick and remain outside before Hughes hunched back. disbelief.