Here are some observations from the game:
• The Devils easily tipped the ice in their favor. They controlled play for most of the game, had a lopsided edge in shots – 44-25, and racked up a lot more scoring chances. But the scoreboard is what really counts. New Jersey couldn’t find a way to solve Woll early and had to play catch up for much of the game. Another lesson that you can do everything right and outplay a team, but not get the result you deserve.
“Guys stayed with it. We knew we were playing well and controlling play,” head coach Sheldon Keefe said. “We have to find ways to score obviously. They’re defending hard. They blocked a lot. We have to find ways to score.”
• Dougie Hamilton looks like a man with a new lease on life. Throughout the game he was jumping up on rush plays, pinching in during offensive zone possessions and wasn’t shy about putting the puck toward the net.
In fact, late in the second period he would create two scoring opportunities for himself, converting on the second. On the first, he took a shot from above the left circle that was blocked. He retrieved the puck and cut inside the right circle later seconds later and snapped a puck into the goal to tie the game at 1-1.
"I had a good shot before that hit the D that I thought was going in," Hamilton said. "Really good traffic on the next one and it somehow made it through. That doesn't go in if there's no one in front. You have to do those sorts of things to score goals."
That’s the Dougie Hamilton the Devils need this season. A real difference maker.
• Hamilton’s goal is officially unassisted. But unofficially the puck doesn’t go in the net without the beautiful screen by Anthony Mantha. The 6-foot-5, 240-pound forward took away the eyesight of goalie Joseph Woll to allow Hamilton to beat him clean.
Mantha also got the memo at even strength. He was feeding the puck to Jack Hughes and Jesper Bratt. He knows his role. Give them the puck. On several occasions he would win puck battles and then quickly deliver the puck to his linemates. He made a nice blind, backhand pass from below the goal line to set up Bratt for two chances in the slot. He also made a couple flip plays to Jack inside the blue line. All in all, not a bad first (real) showing.
• Much of the Devils success this season will be determined by the play of Hughes. Not Jack Hughes (well, yes, Jack Hughes), but also Luke Hughes. He led all Devils players last season in minutes per game and touches the puck more than any other player in all situations. His play will be tantamount to New Jersey having any kind of success.
Luke is off to a good start to the season. Using his skating well defend and push the play. He jumped up on the rush and scored on a quick snap shot halfway through the third period to even the game at 2-2.
Just as noted above on Hamilton, the Devils need more of that from Luke all season long.
• Forward Amadeus Lombardi made his NHL debut, complete with a solo rookie lap to kick off warmups. It was a brief showing, just 8:11 minutes of ice. But no doubt, a memorable evening for the youngster.
