Schwei's Devils Notes: Henrique Hits Milestone, New Jersey Hits Road
By John Schweibacher
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After picking up seven of a possible eight points on their first extended homestand of the 2016-17 season, the Devils are set to hit the road for 10 of their next 14 games.
The Devils beat the Lightning, 3-1, Saturday night. Adam Henrique scored the first goal, the 100th of his NHL career, and also had as assist on Damon Severson's eventual game-winner.
The Elias Sports Bureau noted that Henrique, who was selected by New Jersey in the third round of the 2008 draft, is only the fifth player from that draft class to score 100 goals in the NHL. The others are Steven Stamkos (318), Jordan Eberle (148), Derek Stepan (111), and Erik Karlsson (103). The Islanders' Josh Bailey is not far behind with 95.
Henrique was the 82nd player selected in that draft. Only four other players drafted 82nd or later by the Devils in franchise history have scored more than 100 career goals. They are:
-- Steve Sullivan, 1994, 9th Round, 233rd overall (290 goals)
-- Brian Gionta, 1998, 3rd Round, 82nd overall (277)
-- Aaron Broten, 1980, 6th Round, 106th overall (186)
-- Valeri Zelepukin, 1990, 11th Round, 221st overall (117)
-- Adam Henrique, 2008, 3rd Round, 82nd overall (100)
Artem Anisimov scored 1:15 into overtime to give the Blackhawks a 3-2 win over the Devils on Friday night at Prudential Center. It was just the second time in club history that New Jersey lost to Chicago in a game decided in overtime, but the Devils have not won in sudden death against the Blackhawks since 1992:
-- 10/28/16; Blackhawks 3-2; Artem Anisimov (game-winner)
-- 3/27/09; Blackhawks 3-2; Brent Seabrook
-- 10/22/92; Devils 6-5; Stephane Richer
-- 4/3/88; Devils 4-3; John MacLean
-- 1/29/88; Devils 3-2; Craig Wolanin
The Devils had a 2-1 lead late in the third period Friday before Marian Hossa scored on the power play with just over two minutes remaining in regulation. The Elias Sports Bureau noted that Hossa's goal was his 20th in 46 career games against the Devils. The following are the active NHL players with the most career goals against New Jersey:
Jaromir Jagr -- 36
Sidney Crosby -- 25
Marian Hossa -- 20
Alex Ovechkin -- 19
Joe Thornton -- 19
Evgeni Malkin -- 19
The Devils beat the Arizona Coyotes, 5-3, last Tuesday night in Newark. Taylor Hall scored two goals for New Jersey, after scoring both goals in the team's 2-1 overtime victory over the Minnesota Wild on Oct. 23.
According to Elias, it was only the second time in the last eight seasons that a Devils player had consecutive games with at least two goals. Henrique was the only other Devil to do it since 2009-10, posting back-to-back efforts against Detroit and Carolina, on March 7 and 8, 2014, respectively.
The last Devils player prior to Henrique to have consecutive two-goal games was Jamie Langenbrunner, who did it in three straight: Jan. 27, 29 and 30, 2009, against Ottawa, Boston and Pittsburgh, respectively.
Oliver Ekman-Larsson scored a pair of goals for the Coyotes in their loss to the Devils. It was the Swedish defenseman's first multiple-goal game this season and the seventh of his NHL career.
The only other defenseman in Jets/Coyotes franchise history to score at least two goals in a game against the Devils was Ekman-Larsson's countryman, Fredrik Olausson, who scored twice in a 4-3 Jets win at the Winnipeg Arena on Dec. 15, 1992.
Plus/Minus: Plus: Home sweet home. The Devils have not lost a game in regulation through their first five at "The Rock," going 4-0-1.
Minus: Late goals allowed. New Jersey has given up just 16 goals this season, but seven have come in the third period and two more have come in overtime.
