EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — New Jersey Devils captain Nico Hischier stated their recreation at MetLife Stadium had been circled on their calendar earlier than the season. What he did not know was how essential their 6-3 win over the Philadelphia Flyers on Saturday night time may find yourself being for the Devils.
“That is a win that brings the group collectively,” stated Hischier, who had two targets and an help in entrance of 70,328 followers, the biggest crowd to this point for an NHL Stadium Collection recreation. “We knew it was a giant recreation initially of the 12 months. With how the standings are, it is a fair a much bigger recreation. So, this could convey the group collectively. We transfer on, we take the nice emotions out of it, and now now we have extra enterprise to do.”
It was a weekend of excellent emotions for the Devils. They skated with family and friends after observe on Friday night time. They arrived collectively on Saturday sporting tracksuits out of “The Sopranos.” They by no means trailed in opposition to the Flyers. The huge crowd was majority Devils trustworthy.
“We knew we had nice followers. I did not see too many Philly followers, so it is a fairly particular win,” Hischier stated.
The victory moved the Devils (28-22-4, 60 factors) inside 5 factors of Philadelphia (29-20-7, 65 factors) for third place within the Metro Division with two video games in hand. They’re additionally two factors in again of the Detroit Crimson Wings (28-20-6, 62 factors) for the final wild-card spot within the Jap Convention.
“We wanted this win. If [the Flyers] beat us, it places them nearly out of attain,” Devils coach Lindy Ruff stated.
New Jersey has been attempting to construct momentum for a run at a playoff spot since getting star heart Jack Hughes again within the lineup on Feb. 8. It’s now 3-2-1 since Hughes returned from harm, having performed noticeably higher in all six video games than it did earlier than the NHL All-Star break.
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New Jersey defenseman Brendan Smith, who had a aim and an help within the win, stated he hoped the Stadium Collection victory mixed with that uptick in play may launch the Devils down the stretch.
“We hope so. To be sincere, I believe I have been proud of what we have been doing as of late in our video games. Maintain my fingers crossed on that, and let’s maintain going,” he stated.
Devils winger Timo Meier agreed, saying the four-point swing versus the Flyers within the standings was vastly essential.
“I believe we have began to play higher defensively. All people’s shopping for in, and that is what we want,” he stated. “Jack’s again, so we clearly bought the offensive explosion from him that he can convey to the ice. Nevertheless it’s additionally the play away from the puck that is actually essential. Our goalie made some large saves too.”
Rookie goalie Nico Daws gained the Stadium Collection recreation with a 45-save effort in opposition to a relentless Flyers workforce. The 23-year-old has put collectively 4 straight sturdy performances because the Devils proceed to seek for a reliable choice in aim.
“He is been superior,” winger Nate Bastian, who had two targets within the win, stated of Daws. “There have been stretches this season the place we have performed some robust hockey, and it is made our goalies look unhealthy. Recently, Nico’s been making us look good. He is younger. He is so assured and so promising for us.”
The Devils will take to the street to satisfy the Washington Capitals on Tuesday.
