The New Jersey Devils kept their perfect home record alive with a hard-fought 2–1 shootout victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday afternoon at the Prudential Center. The win marked their seventh straight at home to open the 2025–26 NHL season, putting them within one game of tying the franchise’s all-time record set back in 1987–88.
Visit the Explore New Jersey Devils page here
It was another electrifying afternoon in Newark, filled with grit, highlight-reel saves, and the kind of drama that only hockey at “The Rock” can deliver.
Allen’s Steady Hand Guides the Devils Again
Goaltender Jake Allen was the backbone of this win, stopping 33 of 34 shots through regulation and overtime, then denying both Bryan Rust and Sidney Crosby in the shootout to secure the victory.
Allen was sharp all afternoon, flashing the pad and glove to bail out the Devils in key moments. His biggest save came when Crosby, with all his trademark patience, tried to outwait the veteran netminder during the shootout. Allen read the move perfectly, kicked out the left pad, and preserved the win.
“Every team wants to make its home rink a fortress,” Allen said postgame. “You want opponents to come in and feel like they’re in for a long night. That’s what we’re trying to build here — pride on home ice.”
With the win, New Jersey improved to 11–1–0 overall and now sits atop the Eastern Conference standings with 22 points, edging out both Pittsburgh (21) and Montreal (20).
Gritsyuk’s Hustle Sparks the Offense
The Devils’ lone goal in regulation came courtesy of rookie forward Arseny Gritsyuk, who continues to make a name for himself early in his NHL career. Late in the first period, Gritsyuk forced a turnover deep in Pittsburgh’s zone when Kris Letang’s backhand pass was picked off. The Russian winger made no mistake, deking to his forehand and lifting a perfect shot into the top corner.
It was Gritsyuk’s third goal of the season and another example of his growing confidence and skill in the offensive zone.
Graves Answers for the Penguins
Former Devil Ryan Graves evened the score midway through the second period. His point shot took an unlucky deflection off Ondrej Palat and found its way behind Allen. It was just Graves’ second game in the NHL this season, making his goal all the more satisfying against his former club.
From there, the game turned into a defensive chess match, highlighted by end-to-end goaltending brilliance.
Silovs’ Robbery and Dillon’s Hammer
While the Devils ultimately prevailed, they were nearly undone by a stunning glove save from Pittsburgh netminder Arturs Silovs. Late in the second, Jack Hughes looked poised to score after a perfect cross-ice feed from brother Luke, but Silovs made a full-extension snag that had the crowd gasping in disbelief.
Moments later, Brenden Dillon delivered one of the biggest hits of the year, leveling Pittsburgh’s Thomas Novak with a clean, thundering check near the blue line. The hit drew a crowd and a quick fight with Anthony Mantha, who came to Novak’s defense. Dillon walked away with a shiner and a five-minute major — but the kind of energy that lifts an entire team.
“My modeling days are long gone,” Dillon joked afterward. “Sometimes you’ve got to make a statement hit to get the guys going. It’s part of my game, and it fired us up.”
Shootout Showtime
After a scoreless third period and high-paced overtime, the game was decided in the shootout.
Paul Cotter opened with a slick forehand-backhand move to beat Silovs cleanly. Jesper Bratt followed with his signature patience, roofing the puck to give the Devils a two-goal cushion. Allen then sealed it, stopping both Rust and Crosby to send the Prudential Center into celebration mode.
Cotter’s Redemption and Gritsyuk’s Growth
Cotter’s shootout goal was a bit of redemption after a frustrating night where he held onto the puck too long on several plays. Yet when it mattered most, he showed poise and confidence. “Sometimes you just have to keep shooting your shot — literally,” Cotter said after the game with a grin.
As for Gritsyuk, his play continues to earn praise. The young winger’s blend of speed, puck sense, and offensive instinct is quickly making him a fan favorite. Many are already calling for him to see more ice time, and with performances like this, it’s hard to argue otherwise.
Devils Blue Line Standing Tall Under Pressure
With Dougie Hamilton, Brett Pesce, and others still out, the Devils’ defense had to dig deep again. Luke Hughes logged nearly 30 minutes, while Simon Nemec added over 26, holding their own against one of the league’s most dangerous offensive teams. Their work in the overtime period, particularly Nemec’s diving block on a near breakaway chance, underscored the team’s resilience.
Defenseman Brenden Dillon summed up the mindset best: “We knew it was going to be a battle — Pittsburgh’s right behind us in the standings. Everybody had to chip in. That’s how you win tight games like this.”
A Team That Refuses to Break
Even with key players injured and a grueling early schedule, the Devils continue to find ways to win. Their identity — a blend of speed, structure, and sheer willpower — has turned the Prudential Center into a nightmare for visiting teams.
With seven straight home wins to open the season, New Jersey is one victory away from tying a historic franchise mark. And if they keep playing with this level of confidence, there’s no reason to believe the streak will stop there.
Stay up to date with the latest team coverage, game recaps, and player features on the Explore New Jersey Devils page.
