NEWARK, N.J. _ The last time the Prudential Center atmosphere was this electric the pyrotechnics were coming from a concert, not the hockey team that calls the Rock home. But Friday marked the start of the most anticipated season in years for the New Jersey Devils.
The new additions delivered, complimenting the old pieces and the Devils jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the second period. But things unraveled in the third when goalie Cory Schneider was knocked out of the game and the lead was erased. A thrilling overtime ensued but Mackenzie Blackwood couldn't stop a decisive backhand by Blake Wheeler in the shootout and the Devils fell, 5-4.
A new-look New Jersey squad overwhelmed the Jets from the drop but they caught up in the third period. The Devils saw their 4-0 cut in half when Jack Roslovic scored the goal that ended Schneider's night at 2:41 in the third period and Mathieu Perreault's goal a few minutes later put the home team on its heels.
The Jets finally put pressure on New Jersey and kept it on. Former Ranger Neal Pionk tied it up with 7:25 to go. A frantic final few minutes ensued and the Devils were able to hang on and put it into overtime but couldn't finish the job.
Blake Coleman scored twice, Nikita Gusev scored his first NHL goal and Sami Vatanen had the fourth score for New Jersey. Schneider stopped 19 of 21 shots faced and Blackwood came on in relief, allowing two goals on nine shots.
Dmitry Kulikov scored the Jets' first goal at the 19:49 mark of the second period.
