Pucks and Pitchforks
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New Jersey Devils Ride Dominant Performance To Win In Sweden

By Vincent Parise

GOTHENBURG, SWE - OCTOBER 6: A detail view of the Global Series patch on the jerseys of the New Jersey Devils prior to the 2018 NHL Global Series Challenge at Scandinavium on October 6, 2018 in Gothenburg, Sweden. (Photo by Andre Ringuette/NHLI via Getty Images)
GOTHENBURG, SWE - OCTOBER 6: A detail view of the Global Series patch on the jerseys of the New Jersey Devils prior to the 2018 NHL Global Series Challenge at Scandinavium on October 6, 2018 in Gothenburg, Sweden. (Photo by Andre Ringuette/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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The moment that everyone was waiting for is here. It is finally New Jersey Devils hockey season. This season was a bit different going in for a few different reasons. One, is that everyone expects the Devils to at minimum compete for a playoff spot. Last year, people expected them to come in last, so that is a refreshing change obviously.

This season also is different because it is not beginning in North America. The Devils traveled to Bern, Switzerland and picked up a preseason win before coming to Gothenburg, Sweden to take on the Edmonton Oilers in a game that counts for two points in the standings.

The Devils beat the Oilers 5-2 in Sweden on the back of Kyle Palmieri and Travis Zajac. Both of these players had monster games and are very much relied upon in many different ways, so it is very good to see them off to a good start. Each player had two goals to accompany an empty netter by Stefan Noesen.

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It looked like the Devils, especially in periods two and three were very good 5 on 5. The first period was good but a little bit of penalty trouble may have slowed down some momentum, but all seemed to be overall good at even strength. It took two very good plays by Connor McDavid, one at even strength and one on the power play for Edmonton to even score on the Devils. The Devils kept the Oilers limited to 19 shots on goal. Impressive for a team with the offensive capabilities that Edmonton has at their disposal.

Special teams were overall good as the Devils took four penalties and only the first penalty kill was bad and they held it down the rest of the way and scored one power play goal in two attempts. Special teams need to be good for the Devils to have success, as pretty much applies to every team in the NHL.

The New Jersey Devils looked good for only being game one, and there are a lot of things to build on. Some things to work on as well going forward. The Devils open their home portion of the schedule in their next game, when the host the Stanley Cup Champion Washington Capitals on Thursday, at Prudential Center.

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