Prudential Center—-John Marino’s decisive goal in the late stages of the third period, coupled with a stellar 35-save performance by goalie Vitek Vanecek, propelled the New Jersey Devils to a 5-3 victory over the Colorado Avalanche on Tuesday night.
After the Avalanche swiftly equalized with two rapid goals earlier in the third period, Marino broke the deadlock at 17:43 with his fourth goal of the season, securing the win for New Jersey.
Jesper Bratt, Dawson Mercer, Chris Tierney, and Erik Haula also contributed goals for New Jersey, putting an end to their two-game losing streak. Nico Hischier provided two assists in the winning effort.
“We’ve shown resilience all year,” remarked Marino. “To bounce back and secure the win against a formidable team like Colorado is a testament to our character.”
Trailing 3-1 early in the third period, Colorado’s defensemen Cale Makar and Samuel Girard swiftly leveled the score with goals just 29 seconds apart. Makar’s goal at 8:29, followed by Girard’s at 8:58, showcased the Avalanche’s offensive prowess from their defensive lineup.
Despite Colorado’s valiant effort, New Jersey remained composed, ultimately clinching victory with Marino’s crucial goal.
Bratt opened the scoring for New Jersey in the second period, with Mercer extending their lead shortly after. Tierney added his first goal of the season to put New Jersey ahead.
Vanecek’s standout performance in goal was pivotal for the Devils, as he denied numerous scoring opportunities for Colorado throughout the game. His crucial saves, including one against Nathan MacKinnon’s breakaway in the final minutes, preserved the lead for New Jersey.
“Vanecek was solid all night,” commended Marino. “His performance provided a significant boost for us.”
The Devils faced adversity early in the game when Tyler Toffoli was scratched due to illness, but they rallied together to secure the win. Additionally, Jack Hughes returned to the lineup after missing 11 games with an upper-body injury, while Miles Wood made his return to New Jersey after joining the Avalanche last summer.
The victory halted Colorado’s leading scorer Nathan MacKinnon’s 14-game scoring streak, further highlighting New Jersey’s defensive resilience.
NEXT UP:
The Devils will host Calgary, while the Avalanche will visit Carolina as part of their respective upcoming matchups.
