New Jersey Devils leave Prague with four points and 2-0-0 record

On day one of the 2024 NHL Global Series in Prague, Czechia, the New Jersey Devils dominated the Buffalo Sabres and beat them 4-1. They were looking for the international sweep on Saturday with their second game in Prague in as many days.

New Jersey did just that with a 3-1 victory. Buffalo came out with a slightly better start as Tage Thompson ended up giving them a 1-0 lead. However, that would be the last of the good for the Sabres.

Seamus Casey scored his first career NHL goal on the power play to get the game tied up at one. After a great preseason earning him a trip to Prague with the team, he has looked great. In addition to getting that goal, he looks poised and confident with the puck. He may stick around for a while.

It would stay that tied going into the third period. The Devils knew that if they won the upcoming third, they'd win the game. They did that.

The New Jersey Devils found a way to win a hockey game in Czechia

At 7:18 of the final frame, Jack Hughes made an incredible play to find Paul Cotter who scored his second goal in as many games. New Jersey then had a lead for the first time in the game.

At 14:14, Jack Hughes made another great play to send Jesper Bratt on his way. Bratt had a wrap-around attempt end up in front on Timo Meier's stick in front of an open cage. He didn't fail.

New Jersey outshot Buffalo 37-18 throughout the game. 19 of those shots came off the stick of Meier, Bratt, and Hughes who were incredible after a somewhat slow first game. These guys are going to score a lot of goals throughout the season.

Jake Allen was in the net for this one as Markstrom got the day off. He was amazing as he only allowed one goal on 18 shots. This duo should give the Devils everything they need to win this season.

Between the familiar faces and the new guys all contributing, it was an overall great trip to Prague. You'd like to split a series like this at minimum when you travel all that way but the Devils got four points and a 2-0-0 record out of it.

The team looked great in all areas. The skills on offense were there, they defended the house well and were incredibly physical throughout the two games. Sheldon Keefe has this team on the rise.

Now, they will return to North America following their European run. They will make their North American debut with their home opener on Thursday when they take on Keefe's old team, the Toronto Maple Leafs.