Devils Lose First of 4-Game Homestand to Jets | GAME STORY

The Devils lost their first game of their four-game homestand, dropping to 2-1 on the stretch, with a 2-1 loss the Winnipeg Jets Thursday night at Prudential Center.
Jack Hughes scored his 18th goal of the season for New Jersey.
The Jets received goals from Brandon Dillon and Kyle Connor.

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The Devils finish their four-game homestand against the Anaheim Ducks Saturday. The game can be seen on MSG+ and heard on the Devils Hockey Network, including right here at NewJerseyDevils.com. Puck drop is 7:08 p.m. ET.
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Here are some observations from the game...
- The Devils certainly played well enough to beat they Jets. They dominated possession, they dominated zone time, they dominated the shot clock, they generated a ton of scoring chances and limited Winnipeg's opportunities. The difference was the Devils failed to finish on the chances they created for themselves, while Winnipeg was able to covert.

And thus, a well-played game ends in a loss. The Devils deserved better.

"I think we outplayed them. We had so many chances," forward Pavel Zacha said. "Sometimes there are games like this where you can't score. We have to find a way there. Playing good is one thing, but winning games is another. We just have to find a way there."

- The Devils' speed is clearly their biggest asset. You could see how the Devils were able to maintain puck possession in the offensive zone, skating circles and circles around the Jets. All Winnipeg could do was chase without ever catching. However, all that zone time did not lead to enough goals for. But New Jersey's speed has been blatantly evident of late, and you can see how it gives them a competitive advantage. "In general with our team when we have that outside room we tend to spend a little bit too much time in it, which I thought we did," head coach Lindy Ruff said. "Just before the second goal I thought we had a couple opportunities to get the puck to the net, get people there. We didn't take the opportunity. We decided to make a better play on the outside." - Jack Hughes continues to dominate at home. He extended his home scoring streak to 13 games for a total of 21 points (9G-12A-21PTS) by potting his fourth power-play goal of the season, which ties a career high set in his rookie 2019-20 campaign. - "He's great to watch. He's really good at slowing the game down for himself and finding guys," Zacha said. "He's strong on the puck now too. That's one of the biggest things. He's winning 1-on-1 battles and creating space for other players. It's just great to see him getting better every game."

Hughes was the best player on the ice during the game. He's often been described as the "driver" of the Devils' offense. And watching him of late you can see why. He makes plays any time the puck's on his stick, he's learned how to deke through a crowd at the National Hockey League level and, most importantly, is producing. He's been every bit the franchise player the club needs him to be.

"He had the puck a lot," Ruff said. "I love Jack's game. in the second period it was one of those where if your playing street hockey they'd say 'give the puck back. We still want to play.' It was like he wanted to take the puck and go home."

- New Jersey honored former Devil Travis Zajac before the game for playing 1,000 games in a black and red sweater. Prior to the opening faceoff, Zajac skated onto the ice in his full gear and jersey, his final time touching his skate blades to the ice at Prudential Center. Then, in front of his wife and three children, he took the ceremonial faceoff. His children dropped the puck. Finally, he exited the ice with a raised stick to the crowd.

Zajac played 15 seasons in a Devils uniform after he was drafted by the team in the 2001 NHL Draft. He was honored with a 1,000th-game stick by the team during last year's pandemic season, so the fans didn't have a chance to give him a proper send off. Now, fittingly against his boyhood Winnipeg Jets, Zajac was able to enjoy that final curtain call.