On Feb. 2, the New Jersey Devils began their road trip by taking on the Buffalo Sabres. The outcome was bleak, as the Sabres scored three goals in the first period. The Devils began to claw their way back, but ultimately, the Sabres came away with the win, 4-3.
Jack with the Shorty
Jack Hughes has been back on top with his performance. He has scored a goal in his last two games, with the goal in this game being shorthanded.
As Paul Cotter sat for Stefan Noesen’s match penalty, the Devils were down a player for a good chunk of time. Jesper Bratt made sure the Devils didn’t feel that pressure. He was able to steal the puck out of the Sabres’ offensive zone off a missed pass. He out-raced Tyson Kozak who originally missed the pass. Bratt skated towards the net at full speed. Hughes skated up with him, reaching the goal first. Bratt passed the puck up towards him, and he was able to score the final goal for the Devils in this game.
Related: Thompson’s 3-Point Effort Helps Sabres Take Down Devils, 4-3
Despite the Devils’ poor performance in the first period, Hughes tried to rally the team towards the end. It was not enough to put the Devils ahead, and the Sabres walked away with the win. Hughes increased his point total for this season to 61 with this goal. He continues to pace the team in points, just two ahead of Bratt.
Daws Plays in His First NHL Game of the 2024-25 Season
After the Sabres scored their fourth goal of the night, the Devils pulled Jake Allen from the net. In went Nico Daws to defend the crease in his stead.
Daws hit the ice late into the game, only recording 19 minutes of ice time (TOI). He faced seven shots during this time and stopped all of them. He was not going to let the Sabres run away with this game.
This was Daws’ first NHL appearance for the season. He saw time in the crease in 46 previous NHL games between the 2021-22 and the 2023-24 seasons. He has spent the majority of his time goaltending for the Utica Comets, the Devils’ American Hockey League (AHL) team. So far in the 2024-25 season, he has tended the goal in 21 games for the Comets. He has only recorded five wins.
Since Jacob Markstrom is still out as he recovers from injury, Daws is likely to stay with the Devils until Markstrom’s return. They originally called up Isaac Poulter to the NHL but quickly sent him back down to Utica after one game….
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