Newark, N.J.—-The New Jersey Devils kept their hot start rolling on Wednesday night, defeating the Minnesota Wild 4–1 at Prudential Center for their sixth consecutive victory.
Goaltender Nico Daws turned aside 29 shots in his season debut, while Paul Cotter, Brenden Dillon, and rookie Arseny Gritsyuk each found the back of the net. Jesper Bratt added an empty-netter to seal the win, and Dawson Mercer chipped in with two assists.
The Devils’ winning streak began after a season-opening loss in Carolina and now includes three wins at home and three on the road. It’s their longest run since a 13-game tear early in the 2022–23 campaign.
Cotter got New Jersey on the board late in the first period, pouncing on a rebound and sliding it past Minnesota goalie Filip Gustavsson for his first goal of the year. Dillon doubled the lead midway through the second with his second goal in as many nights.
Early in the third, Gritsyuk, a 24-year-old fifth-round pick from the 2019 draft, made the most of a power-play opportunity by notching his first career NHL goal and stretching the advantage to 3–0.
Minnesota’s Matt Boldy spoiled Daws’ shutout bid with his fifth goal of the season midway through the final frame, but it wasn’t enough to spark a comeback.
New Jersey’s penalty kill continued its stellar form, stopping all three Wild power plays to extend its streak to 21 straight kills. The Devils have surrendered only one power-play goal in seven games this season.
Daws earned the start after Jake Allen won the previous three games in net. Regular starter Jacob Markstrom has been sidelined since suffering an injury in a win at Columbus on Oct. 13.
The loss capped a five-game road trip for the Wild, who managed just one win — a 3–1 decision over the Rangers at Madison Square Garden on Monday.
Up Next:
Devils: Host the San Jose Sharks on Friday night.
Wild: Return home to face Utah on Saturday, opening a six-game homestand.
