NEWARK, N.J. — Nick Bjugstad and Nick Schmaltz scored in the shootout, and the Arizona Coyotes recovered after giving up a two-goal lead and rallied to beat the New Jersey Devils 4-3 on Friday night.
In the Coyotes’ regular season opener, Schmaltz contributed with a goal and an assist, while Matt Dumba and Sean Durzi also found the back of the net. In his NHL debut, rookie forward Logan Cooley impressed with two assists, and Karel Vejmelka made an impressive 33 saves.
Coyotes coach Andre Tourigny stated that they faced a formidable team and were well aware of what to anticipate. He emphasized that they approached the game with a high level of urgency and maintained a fast pace.
In a game following their victorious home opener against Detroit, New Jersey experienced a loss despite notable contributions from Jesper Bratt, Dougie Hamilton, and Jack Hughes. Bratt showcased his skills with two goals and an assist, while Hamilton added a goal and an assist of his own. Hughes, on the other hand, impressively tallied three assists. Akira Schmid played a crucial role in the game, making 30 saves.
Arizona’s Bjugstad and Schmaltz successfully converted their shootout attempts, while Vejmelka denied New Jersey’s Timo Meier and Bratt, ultimately securing the victory.
Schmaltz, in his sixth season with the Coyotes, mentioned that everyone participated in the game. The presence of numerous new players created an atmosphere filled with excitement. He acknowledged the team’s impressive performance and their relentless effort on the ice.
At 6:22 of the first period, Dumba swiftly fired a shot past Schmid to secure the opening goal. Dumba’s Coyotes debut came after he joined as a free agent, following a decade-long tenure with Minnesota.
At 4:23 of the second period, Durzi capitalized on the power-play opportunity, bringing the score to 2-0. However, the Devils quickly responded by scoring three goals within an 11-minute interval, subsequently taking the lead.
“The game got off to a disappointing start once again, just like the first period,” expressed Devils coach Lindy Ruff regarding his team’s sluggish beginning. He observed that the opposing team seemed more energized and prepared for their initial match. Recognizing the absence of any easy games, Ruff emphasized the importance of bringing one’s best performance from the very beginning, as otherwise, the opposing team could easily overpower.
At 8:09 of the second period, Bratt skillfully assisted by Hughes, successfully scored for New Jersey, putting them on the scoreboard. Later, with only 7:31 remaining in the middle period, Hamilton netted his second goal in consecutive nights, managing to tie the game.
With only 1:07 left in the second period, Bratt scored his second goal of the game, giving New Jersey a 3-2 lead.
Cooley passed the puck to Schmaltz, who scored on the power-play with 6:05 remaining in the third period to level the score once more.
Schmaltz said, “I struck it and it went into the target.”
After his impressive performance last season, where Hughes was the leading scorer for the Devils with 43 goals and 99 points, he continues to shine this year with five points in just two games. Adding to his success, Hughes had a remarkable game the previous night, scoring twice.
NICE DEBUT
After his usual rookie lap in warmups, the evening held a special significance for Cooley, the 19-year-old who was the third overall pick in the 2022 draft and had previously played for the University of Minnesota.
He remarked, “I believed I managed to maintain my concentration quite well. My main goal was simply to enjoy myself. Initially, I felt a bit anxious, but once the game commenced, it was just like any other hockey match.”
NEW FACES
During the offseason, the Coyotes bolstered their roster by signing six free agents. These additions encompassed forwards Dumba, Bjugstad, Jason Zucker, and Alex Kerfoot, alongside defensemen Travis Dermott and Troy Stecher. Furthermore, Arizona also acquired Durzi through a trade with the Los Angeles Kings.
NOTES: The teams meet again March 16 in Arizona. … New Jersey scratched D Chris Tierney, D Colin Miller and F Curtis Lazar. … Arizona scratched F Travis Boyd and Stecher.
UP NEXT
Devils: Host Florida on Monday night.
Coyotes: At the New York Rangers on Monday night.
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