BOSTON _ Few teams have been more snakebitten when it comes to breakaways this season than the Devils. Missed opportunities on breakaways have been the difference-maker in a few losses with a speed team like New Jersey getting plenty of chances.
But Blake Coleman finally broke through Thursday night and this time it was a difference-maker that went in favor of the Devils when he blocked a shot and blitzed down the ice for his 11th goal of the season. Coleman scored twice, including a third-period insurance goal, to help New Jersey (13-16-7) to a 5-2 victory over the Boston Bruins (20-14-4) at TD Garden.
In the first game back from the three-day holiday break, the Devils were without their best player and a top-six forward. Forced to go up against a stalwart defensive team in a fight for playoff positioning in the Eastern Conference without Taylor Hall and Marcus Johansson, and with rookie goalie Mackenzie Blackwood making just his second NHL start, they executed and outworked the competition.
The Devils finally played to the identity coach John Hynes has preached but the team hasn't quite been able to practice.
Chris Wagner breathed new life in the Bruins late in the second period when he cut the New Jersey lead in half. Former Devil John Moore set him up with a cross-ice feed he one-timed past Blackwood at 15:07.
A few minutes later, Andy Greene took a tripping penalty to put the Devils on the kill. They successfully lobbied a change in the penalty and Stefan Noesen took a seat in the box while one of their best penalty killers, Greene, took the ice.
Officials reviewed video and called back Greene. But the Devils successfully killed off the minor after the intermission. It proved to be a big kill, as the momentum helped facilitate Coleman's goal at 4:15.
Miles Wood nearly made it 4-1 in the third but the puck was kicked after the net was dislodged. But Nico Hischier finished the job at 12:43 and Wood had the primary assist.
Patrice Bergeron made it 4-2 with just less than three minutes left to play in regulation. David Backes' nailed Coleman in the head with two minutes left and the Bruins went on the kill. They pulled goalie Jaroslav Halak to give them an attacker but Coleman scored an empty-net goal to seal the win.
Kyle Palmieri gave the Devils a 2-0 lead at 15:25 in the first period when his power play shot ping-ponged off goalie Jaroslav Halak. It was his team-leading 19th of the season.
Andy Greene made it 1-0 25 seconds into play, giving Blackwood an early cushion.
Blackwood recorded his first NHL win in his fourth NHL game, making 40 saves. He showed good poise in the third period stopped a short-handed chance by Brandon Carlo after Palmieri tripped and turned the puck over in the offensive zone, and he showed a relaxed demeanor in frenzied situations. Wide shots and blocked shots helped, but if this is what it looks like with Blackwood in net, Keith Kinkaid may finally be able to get some regular rest.
