High Goal Output Early On Leads Devils to Win Over Canucks | GAME STORY

NEWARK, NJ - Six goals in the game's opening 26 minutes powered the Devils to an impressive 7-2 win over the Vancouver Canucks at Prudential Center on Monday night.
Yegor Sharangovich, Jesper Bratt, Dawson Mercer, Ryan Graves, Jesper Boqvist and Jack Hughes each had a goal and an assist as the Devils finished February with 39 goals scored, their highest-scoring month of the season despite only playing nine games. It was also the third time they've scored seven goals in the last seven games and fifth time this season in total.

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Next up, the team boards a flight for Columbus to play the Blue Jackets on Tuesday night. The game can be seen on ESPN+ and heard on the Devils Hockey Network, including right here at NewJerseyDevils.com. Puck drop is 7:38 p.m. ET.
"We've found a little momentum with the lines we've been using. The guys are feeding off each other," said Devils head coach Lindy Ruff after the game.
Jack Hughes opened the scoring nine minutes into the game. Hughes skated in on a two-on-one with Dawson Mercer. He looked off Mercer before firing it glove side past Canucks netminder Jaroslav Halak for his 16th of the season.
Nico Daws made two big saves with eight minutes to go in the first. Shots on goal were 7-4 for Vancouver 12 minutes in.
Daws was brilliant again a few minutes later, denying Nils Hoglander on two close-in chances. The play then went back the other way where Yegor Sharangovich beat Halak at the top of the crease to double the Devils lead to 2-0.
"It's a good feeling for me and a good feeling for the guys. If that one goes in, you never know where the game goes," Daws laughed.
Ruff said the Sharangovich goal was a good example of the team's strong offensive chemistry right now.
"They've been able to find each other inside. Shara's been able to find the hole. Getting guys in position to create inside opportunities," he noted. "Our ability to finish on our real good chances has been better. You look at Jack walking in on his first chance, maybe two months ago he doesn't score on that play."
With 3:38 to go in the first, Luke Schenn was called for interference to give the Devils the game's first man advantage of the night.
On the ensuing power play, Quinn Hughes and Tyler Motte had a two-on-one where Motte just missed the net on his shot. The Devils then came right back down the ice where Jesper Bratt ripped a great feed across the slot to Mercer in the crease. Mercer made no mistake, sweeping the puck into the open cage for a 3-0 Devils lead.
"The goalie had a tough night and we got fortunate on some of the early goals but it's nice to have the table turned our way," added Ruff.
After 20 minutes, shots on goal were 13-10 for Vancouver but Devils had the best chances and converted on three.
The second period started fast and furious with a flurry of goals from both sides. Vancouver opened the scoring just over a minute in with Vasily Podkolzin netting his ninth of the season.
Less than two minutes later came a Devils eruption of three goals over the next three minutes.
Jesper Boqvist tucked a shot right past the goaltenders right pad. Andreas Johnsson and Ryan Graves picked up assists.
"Winning a lot of battles. Strong on the pucks. We've scored a lot of goals lately. It's a lot of fun, for sure," said Boqvist who now has five goals in his last 11 games. "I'm on a good path here. I feel like I can contribute and help this team win and keep playing."
The assist on Boqvist's marker wouldn't be Graves' only point of the night as minutes later he scored. Graves threw a shot on net and it deflected off Schenn.
Jesper Bratt increased his team lead on goals with a tally 72 seconds after that. The forward got the puck, drove up to the right face off circle and threw one on net. Pavel Zacha and Nico Hischier picked up assists as the Devils increased their lead to 6-1.
After the sixth Devils goal, the Canucks replaced Halak in goal with Thatcher Demko.
Vancouver responded 1:55 after Bratt's marker to make it a four-goal game. Tanner Pearson scored, assisted by Brad Hunt and JT Miller.
Shots on goal after 40 minutes were 25-20 for Vancouver.
Devils came out strong to start the third period, outshooting the Canucks 6-2 through the first five minutes of the final frame. Vancouver pushed back but with just over eight minutes to play in the game, Jesper Boqvist made a nice move before saucer passing it to Dougie Hamilton. Hamilton made no mistake, lifting the puck by Demko to make it 7-2.
The goal marked the fifth time this season that the Devils have scored seven goals in a game and the third time they've done it in the last seven games.