Hamilton scores twice, Devils defeat Sharks for 7th straight win

NEWARK, N.J. -- Dougie Hamilton scored two power-play goals and also had an assist for the New Jersey Devils, who won their seventh straight game, 3-1 against the San Jose Sharks at Prudential Center on Friday.

It's the longest winning streak for New Jersey since it won 13 in a row from Oct. 25-Nov. 21, 2022.

Nico Hischier had three assists, and Jake Allen made 16 saves in his fifth start in six games for the Devils (7-1-0).

"We know there's no easy games, especially these games when you got to find a way to win," Hischier said. "We didn't start great but came back, took a couple deep breaths, and came out as another team (in the second period). From then on, I think we were definitely the better team and deserved those two points."

Yaroslav Askarov made 26 saves for the Sharks (1-5-2), who are 1-2-0 during a four-game road trip.

It was Askarov's best effort of the season; he entered the game 0-2-1 with a 5.72 goals-against average and .838 save percentage.

"Still no idea what's [going on] with me before," the 23-year-old goaltender said. "I know I wasn't playing great before, but today it's a new day, and this was a good game. Just trying to keep it going and be solid."

William Eklund gave San Jose a 1-0 lead with a power-play goal at 2:25 of the first period, scoring on a snap shot from low in the right face-off circle off a pass from Macklin Celebrini.

Hamilton tied it 1-1 with a power-play goal 40 seconds into the second period, scoring on a wrist shot from the slot.

"I think it was definitely a tough first period, but we started off with the power play (in the second period) and that kind of turned the momentum," Hamilton said. "It was an ugly first period and wasn't our best game, but a good goalie and power play wins us this game."

The Devils went 2-for-5 on the power play and have scored a power-play goal in six straight games.

"We're moving well (on the power play)," Hischier said. "I think we obviously could have had a couple more goals on the power play, but if we keep playing that way, they'll go in."

The Sharks appeared to take a 2-1 lead 1:51 into the second period when Jeff Skinner tipped in a loose puck along the goal line, but the Devils successfully challenged the play for offside.

"We were a little too cute at times," San Jose coach Ryan Warsofsky said. "Something we have to learn is we're not going to feel great every night. We're not going to play like we did [Thursday] night and put six on the board every night (as in a 6-5 overtime win at the New York Rangers).

"We have to win 2-1, grind it out and play steady hockey."

Hamilton scored his second power-play goal on a snap shot from the high slot after taking a pass from behind the net from Jack Hughes to make it 2-1 at 9:08

"It's great that everybody's contributing, and obviously it's great to see Dougie get a couple to boost his confidence," Hischier said. "We're winning, so at the end of the day, that's all that matters. If the defense can chip in there, even better."

Allen made 10 saves in the third period, the most impressive coming when he stopped a point-blank shot from Adam Gaudette in the slot at 9:57. He later denied a breakaway attempt by Collin Graf at 15:58.

"Contending teams, consistent teams know how to win when you're not your best," Allen said. "It's physically impossible to keep yourself in games when you're not feeling the best. That's a skill that takes time to learn. There's going to be times where guys don't feel good on the ice, when you don't feel like a million bucks, but that's when you simplify things and find ways to get it done. I think that just shows a lot of growth."

Connor Brown scored an empty-net goal at 19:13 of the third period for the 3-1 final.

NOTES: Michael Misa was a healthy scratch for the Sharks on what Warsofsky labeled "a planned development day." ... Celebrini extended his point streak to three games (four goals, three assists). ... The Devils outshot the Sharks 13-0 in the second period, marking the first time they held the opposition without a shot in a period since the third period of a 4-2 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs on Jan. 6, 2017. ... Hamilton has scored twice in a game 11 times in his NHL career, including three games with two power-play goals. ... New Jersey is 8-for-23 (34.8 percent) on the power play during its winning streak.