Devils Dominate 2nd Period, Come Back to Defeat Sharks

Published: Saturday, October 25, 2025

by AJ Rayer

NEWARK, N.J. - The New Jersey Devils (7-1-0) were able to extend their winning streak to seven games on Friday night as they played host to the struggling San Jose Sharks (1-5-2). Dougie Hamilton scored two goals in the matchup, both coming in the second period. With the win, the Devils maintain first place atop the Metropolitan Division.

Entering Friday night, the Devils were coming off a 4-1 home win against the Minnesota Wild, a game they were in control of from the opening puck drop. For the Sharks, the game against the Devils marked the end of their first back-to-back of the year, with San Jose earning their first win in overtime Thursday night against the Rangers at Madison Square Garden.

Unlike how the Devils have played throughout their win streak, they started Friday’s game playing from behind. Nico Hischier was charged with a tripping penalty one minute into the first period. A few moments later, San Jose’s William Eklund fired a quick shot past the Devils’ Jake Allen to take the early lead. This goal marked the end of 21 straight power play kills from the Devils.

The Devils fought back as they took advantage of a tripping penalty on San Jose’s Dmitry Orlov with just 54 seconds to play in the first period. When the 2nd period started, the Devils power play aggression paid off as Dougie Hamilton evened up the score 1-1. Just a few moments later, the Sharks seemingly scored the go-ahead goal when Jeff Skinner tipped in a loose puck, but a successful Devils offsides challenge kept the game even.

The Devils stayed hot on the power play as they took the lead midway through the second period. Dougie Hamilton scored yet again on a slap shot, with assists credited to Jack Hughes and Nico Hischier. New Jersey outshot the Sharks an astounding 13-0 in the second period, the first time they have held an opponent without a shot on goal in a period since January 2017.

Moving into the final 20 minute frame, Allen started to shine in net, making 10 saves, and shutting down two San Jose power plays in the period. Most notably, Allen stopped a point-blank shot from Adam Gaudette in the slot and later a breakaway attempt by Collin Graf that would have tied the game.

The Devils scored the clincher in the final minute with an empty net goal by Connor Brown, his fourth goal of the year, making the final score 3-1. With the Devils win streak at seven games, it marks the longest win streak the Devils have had since their 13 game win streak back in the 2022 season.

The Devils will wrap up their homestand on Sunday as they host the Colorado Avalanche. Puck drop is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.

AJ Rayer can be reached at alexander.rayer@student.shu.edu.

Posted in: sports,