Drew Stafford notched the game-deciding goal to give New Jersey the win in the shootout. He has scored three times in six attempts this season (50.0%) and it was his first GDG as a Devil. He has 18 goals on 53 attempts (34.0%) in his NHL career.
Taylor Hall scored New Jersey's first goal of the evening to tie the game at 1-1. He added a second goal to tie the game and force overtime with just 1:21 remaining. The goals, his 22nd and 23rd, marked the eighth consecutive game that left-winger recorded at least one point, Jan. 30-Feb. 13 (6G-4A-10PTS), establishing a new career-high.
Additionally, Hall has a personal 15-game, points-streak from Dec. 2-Feb. 13 (11G-12A-23PTS). During that period he missed three games, Jan. 22-25, with a hand/thumb injury.
Devils goaltender Keith Kinkaid started in net for the 19th time this season (21st game played). He stopped 31 of 35 shots (plus 3-of-3 in the shootout) to improve to 11-7-2 overall in 2017-18.
John Moore returned to the lineup after being a healthy-scratch for the first time this season on Sunday vs. BOS. Moore scored NJD's second goal of the evening with a blueline slapshot. Nico Hischier had the club's third goal and added an assist for his eighth multi-point game of the season. The rookie has three points (1G-2A) over the last two games, Feb. 11-13. Jesper Bratt recorded two assists, snapping his season-long six-game, points-drought. Travis Zajac also recorded 2A; he needs just six helpers to tie Bruce Driver (291A) for seventh in franchise history in assists.
TONIGHT vs. CAROLINA HURRICANES
Tonight is the first of four regular-season meetings between the Devils and Hurricanes. The Metropolitan Division rivals will face-off three more times during this season-series. They play again three days from tonight, at PNC Arena in Raleigh on Sunday, Feb. 18 (5PM).
New Jersey was 3-1-0 in 2016-17 against Carolina. They are 4-3-1 at Prudential Center and 10-6-1 overall against the Canes since the 2013-14 season.
The Devils are 8-7-1 against Metropolitan Division opponents and are 16-12-5 against the Eastern Conference in 2017-18. New Jersey is 28-20-8 (64PTS) while Carolina trails by just 1PT with 63PTS (27-21-9). It is NJD 29TH home game (15-10-3) and Carolina's 29TH road game (12-12-4).
Keith Kinkaid, who has won a career-high 11 wins this season. He is 11-7-2 this season in 21 GP. Former Hurricane, Eddie Lack spent two seasons (2015-17) with the Hurricanes and was 20-21-9 (2.75 GAA, .902 sv%). Taylor Hall is on a career-high eight game points-streak, 10G-22A-23PTS (Jan. 30 - Feb. 13).
