Blackwood, Devils Blank Islanders in 4-0 Victory | GAME STORY

The Devils knew this week would be tough. It featured matchups against three of the best teams in the NHL: Florida, NY Islanders, Boston.
New Jersey has proven it can roll with the big boys after besting the Panthers, 7-3, Tuesday, and now beating the Islanders 4-0 behind goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood's seventh career shutout (42 saves) Thursday at Prudential Center.
"In the past you'd see the schedule and some teams coming up and go 'ugh' these are going to be some tough games," Blackwood said. "This year, there's a different aura in the room. The guys have a lot of confidence. You look at the schedule and you don't care who you play because if you play your game you can compete with anyone. It's fun coming to the rink and having these challenges."

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The Devils finish their three-game homestand against the Boston Bruins Saturday afternoon. 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...
- Ladies and gentlemen, if you didn't know before, now you do: Dawson Mercer is the real deal. Mercer was the team's best player on the ice. He scored a game-sealing breakaway goal in the third period, but his play in the other 60 minutes was just as impressive.

The 20-year-old rookie created another breakaway earlier in the game, but was denied. He was also stopped on a chance late in the second period. After which he didn't shy away from some physical play that eventually led to a turnover, eventually led to his own shot off the post and eventually led to a Devils' power play chance after Mercer drew the penalty (on which the Devils scored). He kept the engine going and created a late 2-on-1 in the third period, feeing Andreas Johnsson for a great chance that the Swede couldn't convert. Mercer could have had four points easy in this game.

"He's playing like he's very confident with the puck," head coach Lindy Ruff said of Mercer. "His ability to get in tight places and win battles, have a good stick and work his way out has been a great asset for us."

- Blackwood was no doubt a major factor in New Jersey's win. In fact, the complexion of this game could have been completely different with the events that occurred 90 seconds after puck drop. That's when Mathew Barzal came streaking toward Blackwood on a breakaway. The Devils goaltender denied him the five-hole to keep it a scoreless game.

"Mackenzie had a great night for us," Ruff said. "We made a big mistake early. That's when he stopped (Barzal) on the breakaway and set the tone for the night."

From there, Blackwood would add more key saves, including one on former teammate Kyle Palmieri early in the second period to keep the Devils ahead 1-0. Most striking about his game was Blackwood's post play. The Islanders tried to sneak shots in post side, on wraparounds and from angles looking for rebounds. Blackwood gave them nothing, and that heel injury (even if not 100 percent) is certainly a thing of the past.

"I think our team did a good job not giving up the seem," Blackwood said. "It wassn't a lot of backdoor. It was a lot of straight line, same side of the ice. It gives me a chance to always be in position. I thought they did a good job of making my life easier."

- Finally, Tomas Tatar scored his first goal as a Devil. Prior to scoring his goal, Tatar had taken a penalty for hooking. But he stepped out of the box onto a Devils' power play (thanks to Mercer, see above). Tatar went to the net and was the beneficiary of two lucky bounces as defenseman Dougie Hamilton, who returned to the lineup after missing three games with a lower-body injury, had a shot ricochet twice off Tatar and into the goal.

"I felt the pressure. I wasn't putting extra pressure on myself," Tatar said. "When you're having chances every game, I felt like I did a lot of good stuff out there and those chances eventually have to come in. It's hard on the mind if you can't find the back of the net. It was a pretty ugly goal, but I'll definitely take it."

Tatar nearly had his second goal as a Devils in the third period when he had a breakaway opportunity. If not for a tremendous split save by Sorokin, it would have been a two-goal night for the Tuna.

- The Devils wanted more speed in their lineup. So, they recalled forwards Jesper Boqvist and Tyce Thompson. But to offset, they re-assigned Marian Studenic and Frederik Gauthier to Utica of the American Hockey League, meaning they took two of team's penalty killers off the roster. Thus, there was an opening on the PK. Inserted was Janne Kuokkanen.

"It's been a new process for me. Last year, I was in every PK meeting and trying to learn," Kuokkanen said. "I'm a guy that wants to play PK. It's a huge step for me in my career to be able to play PK."

Kuokkanen opened the game's scoring in the first period by tallying a shorthanded goal. The play began with Kuokkanen hustling up ice down the near side and whipping a backhander toward the net. An unexpected bounce propelled the puck to P.K. Subban in the slot. Shot, save. Puck to Hischier. Shot, save. Puck to Kuokkanen. Shot, goal. It was fitting that Kuokkanen started the play and finished the play.

"I saw that we had a scoring chance," he said. "It was a crazy rebound and I was able to score."

- Heck of a return for Hamilton. He finished with a goal and assist on the evening. - After the Devils power play went 0-for-18, they've now scored three man-advantage goals in the past two contests, going 3-for-6.