On a night that could have ended in celebration and securing a playoff spot, the New Jersey Devils skated off the ice frustrated and on the losing end of a 7-2 score. The team remains one point shy of punching their ticket to the postseason.
The Boston Bruins dominated New Jersey, earning two points after 60 minutes. Stefan Noesen and Timo Meier were New Jersey's lone goal scorers. Their goals were 19 seconds apart.
The Bruins capitalized on a Jesper Bratt turnover at the Devils blue line at the 9:38 mark of the first period. David Pastrnak scored his 41st goal of the season to open the scoring. The 28-year-old has factored in 12 straight Bruins goals (six goals, six assists) dating to Apr. 1 for the most in Boston history.
Michael Callahan extended the Bruins lead to 2-0 in the final seconds of the opening frame. It was the 25-year-old's first career NHL goal. Pastrnak collected an assist and his second point of the night.
Jakub Lauko gave the Bruins a 3-0 lead early in the second period. It was his fourth goal of the 2024-25 campaign.
Noesen beat opposing goaltender Jeremy Swayman on a delayed penalty at the 13:51 mark of the middle frame. Daniel Sprong picked up his first point as a Devil, earning the primary assist. Nico Hischier extended his point streak to four games with his secondary assist.
Seconds later, Meier scored his 25th goal of the season, bringing New Jersey within one. Erik Haula picked up the lone helper. It was the perfect example of good things happening when you get pucks on net.
The Devils gave up a goal with 52.9 seconds remaining. Casey Mittelstadt fired the puck toward Markstrom near the Devils' blue line. The puck hit Seamus Casey's stick and deflected past New Jersey's goaltender.
The Bruins held a 4-2 lead over the Devils going into the second intermission.
Morgan Geekie's 30th goal of the season gave the Bruins a 5-2 lead. The Devils had an inexcusable defensive zone breakdown, leaving the 26-year-old alone in front of Markstrom. Two minutes later, Fraser Minten gave Boston a 6-2 lead.
After Cole Koepke scored for a 7-2 score, Keefe replaced Markstrom with Jake Allen. The former faced 23 shots and made 16 saves. The latter saved both shots faced.
The Devils will host the Pittsburgh Penguins on Friday at Prudential Center.
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