In a stunning display, the New Jersey Devils crushed the Los Angeles Kings 4-1 on Saturday night, snapping the Kings’ seven-game points streak. Dawson Mercer shone brightly with two short-handed goals, while Brian Halonen scored his first NHL goal, marking a pivotal moment for the Devils.
The game, held at Crypto.com Arena, saw Jacob Markstrom celebrating his recent $12 million contract extension with an impressive 42 saves. After a rocky stretch where New Jersey allowed 13 goals over two games, this victory signifies a strong comeback for a team that had previously won eight straight games.
Mercer, leading the team with seven goals, broke through on a Los Angeles power play, scoring his first short-handed goal. He sealed the game with another short-handed effort into an empty net with just 3:48 left on the clock. This marked his second consecutive game with two goals, showcasing his burgeoning talent.
In the first period, Nico Hischier ended a seven-game goal drought with a clever tip-in from a shot by Luke Hughes, netting his third goal of the season. On the other side, Andrei Kuzmenko interrupted Markstrom’s shutout bid with a goal midway through the third period.
Halonen, a 26-year-old forward who was undrafted, finally found the back of the net in his 12th NHL game after being thrust into the lineup due to Connor Brown’s undisclosed injury. Halonen’s achievement is a testament to perseverance in his journey to the NHL, having played in just two games over the past two seasons prior to this breakthrough.
The Kings, who had shown resilience with a record of 1-3-1 at the start of the season, will face the Winnipeg Jets on Tuesday, looking to rebound from this loss. Meanwhile, the Devils aim to build on this momentum as they regroup from earlier struggles, moving forward with renewed confidence.
As fans react to this decisive victory, it remains clear that the Devils have harnessed their potential, while the Kings will need to reassess their strategy ahead of their next matchup. This thrilling contest is a reminder of the unpredictability of hockey and the excitement it brings to fans everywhere.
