New Jersey Devils are hard to beat when everyone is going

The New Jersey Devils came into Thursday night’s game on a loss to a bad team in the Montreal Canadiens. They knew they needed a big bounce back against a good team in the Los Angeles Kings.

When these two teams last met, the Devils didn’t have their best game ever but found a way to pull off the win anyway. They knew they needed to dig a bit deeper this time around in order to win.

Things started off well for New Jersey in terms of the way they played but they couldn’t hit the back of the net.

Meanwhile, the Kings took a 2-0 lead because they found a way to bury their chances. As you know from watching the Devils so far this season though, they are the no-quit Devils.

Dawson Mercer and Tomas Tatar each scored a goal assisted by the other to get the game tied up at two. Each of these players, especially Mercer, has been very good for them this season.

The New Jersey Devils have to be impressed with the depth players lately.

In the case of Mercer, he has been one of the hottest players in the entire league. With rumors flying in terms of the trade market, the Devils must be sure if they are going to pull the trigger on a deal involving him. He has the potential to be a big-time piece with this club.

Mercer played in his 140th career game to start his career. That ties Scott Gomez for the most consecutive games to begin a career in New Jersey Devils history. Oddly enough, Gomez was in the building as the 03 Stanley Cup champions will be celebrated this weekend.

Later in the game, however, Los Angeles tried to really rain on New Jersey’s comeback parade as they scored with under five minutes left in regulation to get ahead. It really looked like the Devils were going to let this one slip away.

New Jersey just doesn’t go down quietly ever though. With the goalie pulled, Jack Hughes made a great play to feed Nico Hischier in front who didn’t miss with his redirect. The captain came up clutch once again and the game was tied.

They needed a hero on overtime. Usually, these are big moments for Hughes and Hischier along with Jesper Bratt. However, you know who came through in this one. Dougie Hamilton made a fantastic play (his second point of the night) to find Mercer who scored it for the win.

Once again, Mercer came up huge for this team when they needed him most. It was great to see this kid make this play and keep the good vibes going. It can’t just be the big three every night when it comes to the forwards. Now, Mercer and officially be a part of the big four instead.

The Devils collected standings points 80 and 81 in this win. They have a comfortable lead on a playoff spot and are playing very good hockey with some amazing players leading the way.

Hopefully, Dawson Mercer can keep this up so that guys like Hughes, Hischier, Bratt, and Hamilton have another part of the core helping them score on a nightly basis. His next chance will come on Saturday night when the New Jersey Devils take on the Philadelphia Flyers.