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The Devils continue their season-long road-trip against the Los Angeles Kings Saturday. The game can be seen on MSGSN and heard on the Devils Hockey Network, including right here at NewJerseyDevils.com. Puck drop is 10:38 p.m. ET.
Here are some observations from the game...
- In their last two games, the Devils fell behind by multiple goals to the NY Rangers (2-0, 3-1) and Carolina (3-1). Gaining the lead was a point of emphasis against Anaheim. And the team was emphatic, running out to a 3-0 lead after the first period and 4-0 in the second to cruise to victory.
"I'm happy with the start for sure," Ruff said. "It was important to get a lead after the last couple of games having to come back."
"I thought we rolled them pretty well in the first," Hughes said. "We came out fast and we needed a game like that."
- The Devils found instant chemistry when they united three centermen on a line with Dawson Mercer, Jesper Boqvist and Michael McLeod. Within 10 seconds of being united Tuesday in Carolina they scored (Mercer). Eighteen seconds later, they scored again (Boqvist). They added another goal in that game (Mercer) to help life the Devils to a 5-3 win.
It's no surprise that the triumvirate remained together against Anaheim, and they picked up right where they left off. The trio helped open the scoring by setting up Dougie Hamilton's 10th goal of the year.
"I thought the McLeod line gave us a great start. Got us in on the first game," Ruff said. "They fueled themselves off of last game. Tonight in on two goals again. We've talked about secondary scoring and the importance of other lines to produce.
"I think they're just trying to ride a little bit of a wave."
Boqvist would add a breakaway goal of his own in the third period. The threesome has now combined for 10 points (4g-6a) since unification: Mercer (2g-2a), McLeod (3a), Boqvist (2g-1a).
- Hamilton picked up a goal and assist in the game. He has four goals and 21 points in 17 games. Since Dec. 6, Hamilton trails only Erik Karlsson (22) in points by an NHL defenseman.
- Hughes scored twice in the game, tying a career high with his sixth power-play goal of the season. Hughes, who had a three-point night, has 28 goals on the year and 21 in his past 22 games and 10 in his last 12 contests.
- Ryan Graves hit the home run ball on a pass from his own zone up to Bratt for a partial breakaway. The puck was bouncing as Bratt shuffled around Cam Fowler and then beat goalie John Gibson through the five-hole. Bratt added another tally (second of the game) with a wraparound shot that went in off the skate of Gibson.
"We were talking about it in the intermission," Bratt said. "(Associate coach Andrew) Brunette gave me some good advice on the goalie usually comes out pretty far. Me and the goalie coach (Dave Rogalski) were working on it in practice yesterday. He came out pretty far and was aggressive. I just tried the move and it worked out this time."
- Bratt has seven goals and 12 points in his past 11 games.
- Defenseman Damon Severson picked up a career-high three assists in the contest to extend his scoring streak to a season-high five games. He has one goal and six assists (seven points) in that span.
- Defenseman Nikita Okhotiuk brought physicality to the game. He threw a career-high eight hits in the contest, including several crunching blows.
