Schwei's Devils Notes: A Hot Streak, Boucher's Game-Winners And More
By John Schweibacher
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The New Jersey Devils have won three straight games and are 8-2-2 over their last 12 contests as they begin a stretch of four straight games against Metropolitan Division opponents.
The Devils beat the Kings, 1-0, Sunday afternoon at the Prudential Center, as Keith Kinkaid earned his first NHL shutout. The Elias Sports Bureau notes that Kinkaid is the ninth goaltender whose first shutout in the NHL came while playing for New Jersey, but only the third to do so after Martin Brodeur posted the first of his NHL-record 125 shutouts back in 1993.
Mike Dunham (Dec. 16, 1996, 5-0 at Calgary) and Scott Clemmensen (Jan. 20, 2004, 3-0 at Pittsburgh) are the only other goalies between Brodeur and Kinkaid to register their first NHL shutouts while playing for the Devils.
Kinkaid's shutout was the third in Devils history against Los Angeles. Brodeur had the first shutout for New Jersey against the Kings, 4-0, in L.A. back on Nov. 25, 2003, and Johan Hedberg beat the Kings, 3-0, at Staples Center on Oct. 25, 2011.
The Devils beat the Flyers, 2-1, Saturday afternoon in Philadelphia, improving their record in games decided in overtime to 7-1.
It was the seventh regular season overtime win for New Jersey at Philadelphia in club history:
• Feb. 13, 2016, NJD 2 at Phi 1, Adam Henrique
• Dec. 4, 2008, NJD 3 at Phi 2, Patrik Elias
• Feb. 1, 2007, NJD 6 at Phi 5, Brad Lukowich
• Dec. 2, 2002, NJD 1 at Phi 0, Brian Gionta
• Dec. 10, 1998, NJD 5 at Phi 4, Dave Andreychuk
• March 10, 1996, NJD 3 at Phi 2, Bill Guerin
• Dec. 22, 1989, NJD 5 at Phi 4, Kirk Muller
The Devils defeated the Edmonton Oilers, 2-1, last Tuesday night at the Prudential Center after retiring Brodeur's No. 30 prior to the game.
Reid Boucher scored his third goal of the season for New Jersey, and all three have been game-winners.
Boucher's first came on Jan. 16 in the Devils' 2-0 win at Arizona, and his second was on Jan. 19 against Calgary in a 4-2 victory in Newark.
According to the Elias Sports Bureau, the only other players in Devils franchise history whose first three goals of a season were game-winning goals are Scott Niedermayer (1996-97), Patrik Elias (2002-03) and Jay Pandolfo (first four goals in 2002-03).
With the win, New Jersey is now 4-0 on the nights they have had ceremonies for retired jersey numbers:
• No. 30 Martin Brodeur (Feb. 9, 2016), Edmonton 1 at New Jersey 2. Reid Boucher had a goal and an assist, Cory Schneider 19 saves.
• No. 27 Scott Niedermayer (Dec. 16, 2011), Dallas 3 at New Jersey 6. Zach Parise had a goal and three assists, Johan Hedberg 33 saves.
• No. 3 Ken Daneyko (March 24, 2006), Boston 2 at New Jersey 4. Scott Gomez, Brian Gionta and Paul Martin each had a goal and an assist, Scott Clemmensen 25 saves.
• No. 4 Scott Stevens (Feb. 3, 2006), Carolina 0 at New Jersey 3. Scott Gomez and Brian Gionta had two points each, Martin Brodeur 28-save shutout.
Plus/Minus:
Plus: Power-Play. The Devils went 1-for-3 on the power play in the win against the Kings and are now 12-for-28 (42.6 percent) over their last 10 games.
Minus: 5-on-5. New Jersey has not scored a 5-on-5 goal in their last four games and their 71 goals with both teams at full strength are the fewest in the NHL.
