SALT LAKE CITY — The New Jersey Devils claimed victory against the Utah Hockey Club, with Timo Meier slotting the decisive goal just 14 seconds into the third period, leading to a 3-1 win. Nico Hischier and Curtis Lazar also contributed to the scoreboard, as the Devils secured their fourth win out of five road games. Their goalie, Nico Daws, was instrumental in the triumph with 24 saves.
Utah saw Mkhail Sergachev finding the back of the net, while Karel Vejmelka made 26 saves. Despite their efforts, Utah’s streak of four consecutive home wins came to an end. The Devils took the initiative in the game when Hischier scored his 25th goal of the season at the 9:34 mark of the first period.
Utah managed to level the score in the second period, as Sergachev fired a long-range shot past the midpoint. However, the Devils regained the advantage swiftly in the third period thanks to Meier’s 16th goal, which came merely five seconds after Nick Schmaltz lost possession in the neutral zone.
Curtis Lazar added another goal for the Devils, making it 3-1 with just over seven minutes remaining on the clock. This victory marks yet another strong defensive performance for New Jersey, who have conceded only a single goal over their last three victorious road outings.
Sergachev’s goal signified a personal milestone, marking his 11th of the season and setting a new career-high in goals for him. The crucial turnover by Schmaltz, which led to Meier’s goal, shifted the game’s momentum decisively in favor of the Devils.
Notably, the Devils have demonstrated their ability to maintain leads, having won 16 out of 18 encounters this season when leading after the first period. Looking ahead, New Jersey is scheduled to face Vegas on Sunday, while Utah will travel to Detroit for their next match on Thursday.
