Devils vs. Kings: Brett Pesce's First Goal in 35 Games Lifts New Jersey to Third Straight Win

Brett Pesce had not scored since Dec. 23 of last season. So naturally, when the moment finally came, the New Jersey Devils defenseman did his best impression of a highlight-reel winger: a pass from Luke Evangelista above the right circle, a toe drag around Kings forward Andre Lee, and a low shot under Anton Forsberg's left pad. "I just kind of blacked out, so it's not going to happen probably ever again," Pesce said afterward.

That goal at 8:08 of the third period broke a 1-1 tie, and the Devils beat the Los Angeles Kings 3-1 on Saturday afternoon at Prudential Center for their third straight win. Jake Allen needed only 12 saves, because Los Angeles managed only 13 shots all game.

A Low-Event Slog, Then a Sudden Spark

This was not a track meet. It was the kind of afternoon that rewards patience, and for two periods nobody could solve anybody. Both teams went 0-for-2 on the power play, and a scoreless first period featured one penalty apiece, Pesce for hooking and the Kings' Brian Dumoulin for the same.

The second period was where New Jersey started tilting the ice. The Devils outshot Los Angeles 14-3 in the frame, according to NHL.com, and they nearly broke through when Evangelista's shot got behind Forsberg, only for Kings forward Joel Armia to sweep the puck out of the crease.

Then the hockey gods did what they do. With New Jersey controlling play, the Kings struck first. Adrian Kempe worked the puck from below the goal line to Scott Laughton at the left hash marks, and Laughton beat Allen at 15:57 for his second goal of the season. It was a gut punch, and it lasted less than three minutes.

At 18:43, Jesper Boqvist found Anthony Mantha, who weaved through two Kings defenders and ripped a wrist shot home from the left circle. Mantha's third goal tied it 1-1 heading into the third, and it was a reminder that the Devils' depth guys can carry the load on a day the stars are quiet.

The Turning Point: Blackout Mode

The game sat level until Pesce went full main character. It was his first goal in 35 games, per NHL.com, and it was not some lucky deflection. He found a clean lane through traffic, dangled a forward and picked his spot.

Los Angeles had two chances to answer. Timo Meier went off for tripping at 12:59 of the third, giving the Kings a power play, and they could not cash in. Then, with 4:36 remaining, the Kings appeared to tie it, only for the goal to be waved off for a high stick by Trevor Moore. Video review confirmed the call on the ice, and the building exhaled.

Arseny Gritsyuk sealed it with an empty-netter at 18:55, with Jack Hughes and Jesper Bratt assisting, and the Devils could finally relax.

Stars of the Afternoon

Pesce scored the winner and logged 21:31 with three hits. "That's how a good team finds ways to win those gritty boring games," he said, which is about as honest a summary as you will ever get from a hockey player.

Gritsyuk had a goal and an assist, picking up a secondary helper on Pesce's winner. He has now scored in five straight games, per NHL.com, and his sixth goal leads the Devils, according to the AP. Somebody get this man a nickname.

Allen made 12 saves and improved to 5-2-0 this season, according to the AP. Twelve saves will not win any awards, but he stopped what mattered. "But patience was the key in this game," Allen said.

Mantha delivered the tying goal, and Hughes picked up his ninth assist on the empty-netter.

For Los Angeles, Forsberg was excellent in defeat, stopping 23 of 25 shots. Laughton scored, and Kempe had the assist while playing 20:41. The problem was everything in front of them. "We've been relying on our goalies way too much the last couple of games," Kings defenseman Joel Edmundson said.

Stats That Matter

• 26-13: New Jersey's edge in shots. The Kings had seven shots through two periods, per NHL.com.
• 14-3: Devils shots in the second period alone.
• 35: Games since Pesce's previous goal, by NHL.com's count. Worth the wait.
• 2-for-2: The Kings' penalty kill, a rare good sign for a group that entered last in the NHL at 63.0 percent, per NHL.com.
• 5: Times in their past seven games that the Kings have been held to one goal, according to NHL.com.

What It Means

New Jersey improves to 7-4-0 with 14 points, swept a three-game homestand that included wins over Colorado and Anaheim, and has won five of six. It was also the Devils' fourth comeback win of the season, according to NHL.com. They are 6-2-0 at home.

There was a bigger story hovering over the rink. Before the game, the Devils introduced goaltender Connor Hellebuyck, acquired from the Winnipeg Jets on Friday. According to NHL.com, the deal sent Dawson Mercer, Nick Bjugstad, goalie Nico Daws, the rights to Alexander Command and two draft picks to Winnipeg. The AP noted Hellebuyck is a three-time Vezina Trophy winner with 345 wins over 11 seasons with the Jets. He did not dress, and Remi Poirier backed up Allen. "Obviously his career speaks for itself, so we are lucky to have him," Hughes said. The Devils visit Dallas on Tuesday.

Los Angeles falls to 2-5-2 with six points. The loss snapped a two-game winning streak, both wins coming on this road trip after the Kings opened the season 0-4-2. "We need more offense from more guys for sure," Moore said. Los Angeles visits the New York Rangers on Monday.

Boring Is Beautiful

Some wins are fireworks. This one was a tax return: tedious, methodical, and deeply satisfying when it clears. The Devils won a game in which their stars combined for two assists on an empty-net goal, their newest superstar watched in street clothes, and a defenseman who had not scored since December blacked out and turned sniper for one shift. Pesce swears it will never happen again. New Jersey will happily take the two points either way.

Stats from the official box score via ESPN. Game details from the Associated Press and NHL.com; postgame quotes as reported by NHL.com.