Devils Stay Hot in Win Over Oilers

Published: Thursday, March 13, 2025

by Patrick Corsello

NEWARK, N.J. — The New Jersey Devils (36-25-6) edged the Edmonton Oilers (37-24-4), 3-2, on Thursday night. The Devils looked to build momentum after Tuesday’s home win over the Columbus Blue Jackets.

There weren’t many high-danger scoring chances in the opening minutes, as the puck moved up and down the ice with little offense generated.

The pace of play was even through the first 10 minutes, but the impact of Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl was evident. Their individual talent is undeniable, and playing on separate lines gives Edmonton added depth across its forward group.

The Devils earned the game’s first power play when Darnell Nurse was called for tripping with 10:15 remaining in the first period. After scoring a power-play goal against Columbus in their previous game, New Jersey looked to replicate that success against Edmonton. They generated a couple of quality chances but couldn’t convert, and the game remained scoreless.

With 6:38 left in the period, the Devils went back on the power play after Oilers forward Max Jones was penalized for interference. Despite being outshot 6-2 at that point, New Jersey had another opportunity to generate offense with the man advantage.

The Devils went 0-for-2 on the power play in the first period, with goaltender Stuart Skinner stopping both shots he faced.

Just before the final minute, Oilers star defenseman Evan Bouchard rang a shot off the crossbar, but the game remained scoreless heading into the second period.

As the second period began, the Devils took their first penalty of the game with 18:54 remaining, as Tomas Tatar was sent to the box for interference.

"Kill" chants echoed from the crowd as the Devils looked to stop a lethal Oilers power play featuring Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.

Shortly after, the Devils opened the scoring about four minutes into the period, as Brett Pesce buried a rebound to give them a 1–0 lead.

The game remained even with chances on both sides until the Oilers capitalized in the offensive zone. Connor McDavid threaded a slick pass to Leon Draisaitl, who netted his 47th goal of the season to tie it at 1.

The Oilers’ two-headed monster connected, and it was now up to the Devils to ensure the All-Stars didn’t take over the game.

But Edmonton’s momentum quickly stalled after a bench minor for too many men on the ice. New Jersey, 0-for-2 on the power play, went back on the man advantage.

New Jersey continued to struggle on the power play, going 0-for-3. The game was tied at 1 after two periods, setting up a pivotal third for both teams.

The game remained tied in the third period until Jake Walman fired a shot that was deflected in by Evan Bouchard, giving the Oilers a 2–1 lead with 15:42 remaining.

However, the lead didn’t last long. Jesper Bratt scored to tie the game, and just a minute later, Šimon Nemec netted his first goal of the season to put the Devils in front.

That would be it for the scoring, as the Devils held on for a 3-2 win over a skilled Edmonton Oilers team.

New Jersey's next game is on the road against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday at PPG Paints Arena, with puck drop scheduled for 3 p.m.

Patrick Corsello is an Assistant Music Director at WSOU 89.5 FM and can be reached at patrick.corsello@student.shu.edu. 

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