Devils Hold Off Kraken for 3-2 Victory

Published: Saturday, December 7, 2024

by Michael Bellifemini

NEWARK, N.J. – The New Jersey Devils (18-9-2) defeated the Seattle Kraken (13-14-1) 3-2 on Friday night at Prudential Center. The Kraken were playing their third game in four days, following a 5-2 win over the Islanders on Long Island on Thursday.

The Devils started strong, applying early pressure and peppering Kraken goaltender Philipp Grubauer with an abundance of shots throughout the first period.

However, Seattle struck first after Andre Burakovsky got past Luke Hughes and ripped a shot past Jacob Markstrom for the game’s first goal. Hughes made up for it though, tying the game a couple of minutes later after getting a pass from his brother and finding a top corner of the net. 

The Kraken regained the lead in the second period with a power-play goal from Shane Wright, but their lead was again short-lived. Jesper Bratt scored the equalizer in his 500th NHL game, firing a shot from the circle for his 13th goal of the season. Jack Hughes notched his second assist of the night on the play.

The Devils took their first lead of the game in the opening minute of the third period on a goal by Timo Meier. A loose puck came to Seattle defenseman Vince Dunn, who unintentionally deflected it off the post and into the crease, where Meier tapped it in uncontested.

New Jersey kept up their offensive pressure for the rest of the game, registering 36 shots compared to Seattle’s 19. The Kraken were still able to create some high-leverage scoring chances down the stretch but never capitalized.

The Devils came up big with a critical penalty kill in the third period after Tomas Tatar was called for hooking. Later, with about six minutes remaining, Brandon Montour narrowly missed the tying goal. Driving to the net, Montour managed a shot at an open net despite colliding with Jacob Markstrom’s stick, but the puck sailed through the crease and wide.

Seattle pulled their goalie in the final moments but ran out of time as the Devils picked up their sixth win in their last eight games. They remain tied for the division lead with Washington, as they also picked up a win on Friday night in Toronto. 

The Devils will be in action next on Sunday night against the Colorado Avalanche in the latter half of a Prudential Center doubleheader as the Seton Hall Pirates will host the Oklahoma State Cowboys earlier in the day. 

Michael Bellifemini is an Assistant Sports Director at WSOU 89.5 FM and can be reached at michael.bellifemini@student.shu.edu. 

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