National Hockey League
New Jersey 3, Pittsburgh 0
When: 7:00 PM ET, Saturday, December 21, 2024
Where: Prudential Center, Newark, New Jersey
Referees: Jean Hebert, Peter MacDougall
Linesmen: David Brisebois, Kilian McNamara
Attendance: 16514

Captain Nico Hischier collected a goal and two assists and Jacob Markstrom made 12 saves to lift the New Jersey Devils to a 3-0 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday in Newark, N.J.

Timo Meier scored and set up a goal and Stefan Noesen added his career-high 15th goal of the season.

Markstrom turned aside three shots in the third period to preserve his second shutout of the season and 22nd career. Markstrom improved to 8-4-0 in his career versus Pittsburgh and helped the Devils avenge a 4-2 setback to the Columbus Blue Jackets on Thursday.

Markstrom denied a pair of point-blank chances by Pittsburgh in the second period of a scoreless game. He thwarted Evgeni Malkin's one-timer before denying superstar captain Sidney Crosby of a goal in back-to-back games by reaching back and preventing the puck from crossing the line.

Tristan Jarry finished with 25 saves for the Penguins, who saw their four-game point streak (3-0-1) come to a halt after being shut out for the third time this season.

New Jersey snapped a scoreless tie after taking advantage of a breakdown in net-front defense to open the scoring with 2:28 remaining in the second period. Hischier deftly changed direction along the right-wing boards, gained a step on defenseman Owen Pickering and skated into the corner before backhanding a feed that Noesen converted on the doorstep.

Noesen's goal total eclipsed his previous high, set during the 2023-24 season with the Carolina Hurricanes.

The Devils doubled the advantage at 7:47 of the third period. Defenseman Dougie Hamilton's shot was denied by Jarry, however Hischier alertly spotted the loose puck during a scrum for his team-leading 17th goal of the season.

Meier capped the scoring by finding the empty net with 1:33 remaining in the game.

Pickering sustained an upper-body injury in the second period and did not return to the game.

--Field Level Media

Top Game Performances
 
Pittsburgh   New Jersey
N/A Points Nico Hischier 3
N/A Goals Nico Hischier 1
N/A Assists Nico Hischier 2
N/A Power Play Goals N/A
N/A Short Handed Goals N/A
Tristan Jarry .923 Save Percentage Jacob Markstrom 1.000
Tristan Jarry 24 Saves Jacob Markstrom 12
Team Stats Summary
 
Team Shots Goals Power Play Penalty Kill Penalty Mins Face Offs Won
Pittsburgh 12 0 0-2 1-1 12 25
New Jersey 27 3 0-1 2-2 14 27
Upcoming Games
  • New Jersey will play their next game at home against NY Rangers. The Devils have a W/L % of .524 after a win and .733 after a loss.
  • Pittsburgh will play their next game at home against Philadelphia. The Penguins have a W/L % of .375 after a win and .474 after a loss.