Schwei's Devils Notes: N.J. Among NHL Leaders In 1-Goal Wins
By John Schweibacher
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The New Jersey Devils began their longest road trip of the season by snapping a three-game losing streak with a 2-1 win over the Minnesota Wild on Sunday night in St. Paul. The victory was New Jersey's 14th one-goal win of the season, tying them for the second most in the NHL in 2015-16.
NHL one-goal wins in 2015-16 (through Monday):
• Detroit, 17
• New Jersey, 14
• Florida, 14
• Los Angeles, 14
• St. Louis,14
Jon Merrill scored the game-winning goal at the 6:26 mark of the third period, his first goal since Dec. 13, 2014, at Dallas (82 games). Three of Merrill's five career goals have been game-winners.
The win was New Jersey's first in its last four trips to Minnesota, dating back to its 5-3 victory on Jan. 2, 2010. The Devils are now 4-4-1 all-time on the road against the Wild.
New Jersey's last one-goal, regulation-time win in Minnesota was on Jan. 9, 1988, a 4-3 victory over the North Stars at the Met Center in Bloomington.
Minnesota native Mark Johnson scored the game-winner for the Devils. Bob Sauve got the win, making 37 saves for New Jersey in defeating Kari Takko.
The Devils lost to the Bruins, 4-1, Friday night at the Prudential Center. Bobby Farnham scored New Jersey's only goal at 11:57 of the second period.
It was his third goal in his last six games and his sixth of the season. Farnham has scored five of his goals in 15 games played at the Prudential Center since joining the Devils.
Here are the Devils' goal leaders in home games in 2015-16:
• Kyle Palmieri, 10
• Mike Cammalleri, 7
• Bobby Farnham, 5
• Adam Henrique, 5
• Lee Stempniak, 4
The Devils lost to the Canadiens, 2-1, on Wednesday night in Montreal. Cory Schneider made 23 saves in the loss and also stopped David Desharnais' second-period penalty shot attempt.
Schneider has not allowed a goal on any of the four penalty shots he has faced this season and is now 12-for-14 in his career. Schneider's four penalty shots faced tied New Jersey's single-season record set by Johan Hedberg, who allowed one goal on four attempts in 2011-12.
According to the Elias Sports Bureau, George Hainsworth holds the NHL record, having faced six penalty shots for Toronto in 1934-35 (the first season for penalty shots in the NHL).
Here are the four penalty shot attempts Schneider has faced in 2015-16:
• David Desharnais, Jan. 6, at Montreal
• Jonathan Huberdeau, Dec. 6, vs. Florida
• Radim Vrbata, Nov. 22, at Vancouver
• Patrick Marleau, Oct. 16, vs. San Jose
And the four penalty shot attempts Hedberg faced in 2011-12:
• Erik Condra, March 20, at Ottawa
• Michael Grabner, Nov. 25, at NY Islanders
• Maxime Talbot, Nov. 3, at Philadelphia (Score)
• Sergei Kostitsyn, Oct. 15, at Nashville
New Jersey reached the midway point of the season with its game in Montreal. The Devils' 45 points through 41 games are their most since 2011-12, when they had 48.
Here are the Devils' best and worst point totals through 41 games in 82-game seasons in club history:
Devils' most points through 41 games:
• 2009-10, 61 points
• 1999-00, 58 points
• 1997-98, 54 points
Devils' fewest points through 41 games:
• 2010-11, 22 points
• 2014-15, 35 points
• 1995-96, 40 points
Plus/Minus:
Plus: Cory Schneider. The Devils' goalie was selected to his first NHL All-Star game last week and has now allowed two or fewer goals in 22 of his last 29 starts since Oct. 29 and is 14-11-4 with three shutouts, a 2.02 goals-against average and a .929 save percentage during that stretch.
Minus: Injuries. Mike Cammalleri, Patrik Elias, Jacob Josefson, John Moore, Tuomo Ruutu and Jiri Tlusty all missed Sunday night's game due to injury.
