GAME STORY: Devils 3, Kings 0
The Devils big second period and stellar goaltending propelled them to a victory over the visiting Los Angeles Kings
by Chris Wescott TheChrisWescott / NewJerseyDevils.com
NEWARK, NJ - Devils goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood was stellar between the pipes for the second-straight game, stopping all 37 shots in a 3-0 victory over the Los Angeles Kings in New Jersey.
Video: POST GAME | Devils Crowned Winners Over L.A. Kings
If you're reading this recap, let's just skip right past an uneventful first period in which the Devils were outshot 13-8 but neither team lit the lamp.
The lackluster first did, however, light a fire under the Devils and they came out strong in the second. Nikita Gusev got the Devils up 1-0 at 5:38 of the middle frame. Gusev was teed up by Damon Severson for a one-timer and he blasted it past Cal Peterson.
Blake Coleman fired home his first power-play goal of the season from the inside of the circle at 7:35 of the second to make it 2-0 Devils. It was Coleman's 21st of the season and he was assisted by Wayne Simmonds and Kyle Palmieri.
Palmieri added his 20th of the year at 10:43, assisted by Jack Hughes and Andy Greene to put New Jersey on top 3-0 heading into the third.
Through two periods, Blackwood was a perfect 23 for 23 in saves and had also denied Anze Kopitar's penalty shot.
"It's huge," Coleman said of that moment. "I think it was 2-0 at that point and it's anybody's game still. That's what a good team needs. You to go your goalie to backstop like that and he's obviously on a heck of a run right now."
After keeping the Kings out of the net the entire game, Blackwood secured his second straight shutout. He stopped 46 in Philadelphia on Thursday night.
"It's good," said Blackwood. "You know, obviously, you have to get a little bit lucky at times. They hit a post. But, again, I think tonight was another great performance by our team just in keeping stuff to the outside and letting me see pucks. We're just going to try and keep that going."
The Devils continue this homestand on Tuesday against the Florida Panthers at Prudential Center. It is the Devils Black Hockey History Month Night and you can get tickets or information on all of the events surrounding the evening on NewJerseyDevils.com/BlackHockeyHistory.