New Jersey Devils Score Victory over Buffalo Sabres in Prague

Paul Cotter, a fresh face on the New Jersey Devils roster, demonstrated his worth with a second successful strike in Prague, leading the Devils to a 3-1 triumph over the Buffalo Sabres on a recent Saturday. This win completed a sweep of their regular season-opening series in the Czech capital.

Paul Cotter: A Rising Star in New Jersey

Cotter, one of the Devils’ new recruits, had already marked the score sheet in a 4-1 victory on Friday, where he also contributed an assist. Both games were part of the NHL’s international series. Two additional matches are scheduled in Tampere, Finland, on November 1-2, featuring a showdown between the defending Stanley Cup champions, the Florida Panthers, and the Dallas Stars.

Additional Highlights from the Game

Devils’ defenseman Seamus Casey and forward Timo Meier also found the net, while Jack Hughes provided two assists. The Devils dominated the game with 37 shots to the Sabres’ 18. Tage Thompson of the Sabres initiated the scoring 8:18 into the second period, but his goal was swiftly equalized by Casey on a power play.

In the final period, Hughes connected with Cotter via a cross-ice pass, enabling the unguarded forward to outsmart Devon Levi. Goalkeeper Jake Allen of the Devils thwarted 17 shots, while Levi stopped 34 for the Sabres.

Injury and Absence on the Ice

The game saw Buffalo’s JJ Peterka take a tough hit from Brenden Dillon, forcing him to leave the ice with an upper body injury. Additionally, the Devils’ Czech forward, Ondrej Palat, missed the game, flying back to America for the birth of his second child.

Strength and Weaknesses Exposed

Last season, the Devils conceded an average of 3.43 goals per game, one of the highest rates in the NHL. However, in Prague, they successfully leaned on goalkeepers Jacob Markstrom and Allen, despite injuries to top-six defensemen Luke Hughes and Brett Pesce.

On the other hand, the Sabres failed to convert any of their power play opportunities in the series, a trend that follows their poor record from the previous season.

A Decade of NHL in Europe

This year marks the 11th season of NHL games in Europe, part of the league’s initiative to expand its fan base in hockey-loving nations such as Czechia, Sweden, and Finland. Prague has hosted nine games, second only to Stockholm, Sweden, the most frequent European host city.

What’s Next in the NHL Global Series?

The Sabres are slated to host the Los Angeles Kings, while the Devils prepare for a home game against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Thursday.