New Jersey Devils rout Winnipeg Jets 5-1 as Kovalchuk scores brace - NHL Update
The Winnipeg Jets were blown apart as Ilya Kovalchuk scored a wonderful brace leading the New Jersey Devils to an impressive 5-1 win at the Prudential Centre on Tuesday.
The Jets entered the game on the back of a 2-0 victory as they shutout the Ottawa Senators but were no match for an aggressive Devils' side.
Jets were down by four goals by the second period and goaltender, Chris Mason had one of the worst nights of his career as he was pulled after being on the rink for only 28 minutes.
The loss brings the Jets record to 21-20-5 with 47 points as they remain three points behind the playoff spots in the Eastern Conference.
New Jersey Devils improve to sixth in the Eastern Conference with a 26-17-2 record and 54 points as they won their third straight game.
"We came out and played a real good game," Devils' coach, Peter DeBoer said. "We caught a tired team at the end of a back-to-back."
Devils' goaltender, Martin Brodeur made 20 saves during the game, and if not for a third period goal by Tobias Enstrom, would have gotten a well deserved shut out.
The first period for the most part remained scoreless but the Devils took the lead later on at 18:59 as Ilya Kovalchuk scored his first of the night after Zach Parise’s pass found the in form forward in space and Kovalchuk made no mistake in beating Mason.
"I'm just a little more relaxed lately," said Kovalchuk.
"When you play with Zach, he's going to be able to create plays and opportunities for you. He made a great play to get me the breakaway. It's easier to play with great players like Zach. I'm just doing what I have to do. I'm supposed to produce. Each team
has guys who have to score."
Jets faced a blitzkrieg in the second period as the Devils decimated the visitors with three goals in the first eight minutes of the period.
Petr Sykora scored his 11th goal of the season to put Devils up by two goals to nil at 1:32, and three minutes later, David Clarkson made it 3-0.
The game was over at 7:38 as Clarkson played Kovalchuk through on goal to score his second of the night. Mason’s nightmare was over as the Jets goaltender was replaced by Ondrej Pavelec after the goal.
Jets finally made a successful offensive play in the third period stopping Martin Brodeur bid for a shutout as Tobias Enstrom scored at 8:18.
Patrik Elias who had made two assists added the fifth goal for the Devils at 11:31 to complete the rout.
The Devils will now face a much tougher test against the Boston Bruins on Thursday while the Jets welcome the Buffalo Sabres.
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