Here are some observations from the game:
• The Devils put together a solid 60-minute effort against Colorado. They dominated possession time in the first period and were swarming in the offensive zone, outshooting Colorado by a 15-4 count. That carried over into the second period as New Jersey continued to control the game. Though Colorado made a push in the third period, New Jersey managed to keep a lid on them. In all, it was a great showing against a worthy adversary.
Evangelista: "That's when we had our success tonight. When we were direct and north. We put pucks behind them. We hounded their D, turned over pucks. As a result we played O zone and had a ton of looks, a ton of shots. I think that's the recipe for us going forward."
Allen: "That's one of the deepest lineups in the league. One of the most talented teams. I thought for the first two periods, guys played really well. We knew in the third period they were going to push. They're too good of a team and too good of a program not to. We just had to hold our ground."
• Arseny Gritsyuk scored one of the nicest goals of the season, and against some worthy competitors. He split defensive pair Cale Makar and Devon Toews. As he came on net, he juked to the backhand, pulled the puck around Wedgewood and slid it across the goal line.
Evangelista: "That was foul. I was so fired up for him on the bench. Those are not two easy guys to dangle. He made a hell of a play, hell of an effort and great tuck so I was fired up for him."
• Luke Evangelista returned to the lineup after missing three games with a high fever. And his impact was immediate. Evangelista opened the scoring at 6:40 of the first period. He was entering the offensive zone with Nico Hischier on a bit of a broken play. With three Avs pouncing on Hischier, it freed up Evangelista to take the puck above the circles and snap in a wrist shot glove side for the tally.
Evangelista: "We win a faceoff in our half of ice. (Siegenthaler) puts a puck up the middle. Nico wins a battle right inside the blue line and it was just laying there for me. I just tried to shovel one on net and fortunately was rewarded."
• Evangelista picked up an assist on Chisholm’s goal to give him a two-point night in his return. He also had six shots on goal in the game.
Evangelista: "The rest did me good. You never really know what to expect coming off a break like that. I'm just happy to have a positive impact tonight and contribute to a big win."
• Declan Chisholm scored his first goal as a Devil a little over halfway through the second period. He had the puck on a delayed penalty. His shot deflected off the skate of Colorado’s Brock Nelson and eluded goalie Scott Wedgewood. Adding insult to injury, Nelson was the player who was set to receive the delayed penalty.
Chisholm: "Any time you can help the team win and contribute you're going to remember it. It was nice to get the first one in this jersey. It's exciting."
• Timo Meier played like a man possessed in the game. He was controlling the puck, driving play, creating in the offensive zone and was a beast against checkers. Most importantly, he wasn’t shy about firing pucks on net. He finished with eight shots on goal and that doesn’t count the three blocked and two missed. In all, Meier put 13 pucks toward the goal. Oh, and Meier saved a goal in the third period by tying up Cale Makar's stick for what could have been an easy tap in. That kept the Devils ahead 2-1 and allowed them to extend the lead.
• Prior to the game, there was a ceremony held to honor goalie Jake Allen reaching 500 games played in the NHL. He not only received a silver goalie stick, but also a special fishing rod, watch, wine and plaque. He was joined by his family and took a photo in front of a giant “500” display.
Allen: "I told myself to just enjoy that moment. With that and the Stanley Cup, those are the two highlights of my career. Experience it with your family, you don't get to do that too often. It's a game I'll remember forever."
