NEWARK, New Jersey — Vitek Vanecek made 24 saves in his first shutout for the New Jersey Devils, a 1-0 win over the Colorado Avalanche at the Prudential Center on Friday.
Vanecek, acquired in a trade with the Washington Capitals on July 8 for a second- and third-round pick in the 2022 NHL Draft, earned his seventh NHL shutout and his first since a 2- 0 against the Arizona Coyotes on April 22.
“Honestly it was a really good game and the guys played really well,” Vanecek said. “The guys were working hard, blocking shots and doing everything for me.”
Jack Hughes scored a power-play goal at 2:59 of the third period for the Devils (5-3-0), who have won their last two games and four of five.
“We’re getting more comfortable in tighter games, we’re smarter with the puck,” New Jersey coach Lindy Ruff said. “There were too many times last year I talked about our puck management giving the other team opportunities to win the game.
“We had a lot of games where we were winning by a goal and a penalty might have allowed the opponent to tie the game, maybe win it in overtime or in a shootout, but I think we’re in a different place.”
Video: COL@NJD: Hughes scores on the power play in 3rd period
Hughes used a screen provided by Nathan Bastien for his first power play goal of the season, an instant shot from the left faceoff circle after a cross pass from Jesper Bratt.
“I knew the puck went through me, but I didn’t know it went through the goalie, so it’s exciting to turn around and see Jack celebrate,” Bastian said.
Pavel Francouz made 22 saves for the Avalanche (4-3-1), which will face the New York Islanders on Saturday.
“They’ve got great team speed, good skills, so you have to give them credit; their penalty kill is really good,” Colorado coach Jared Bednar said. “We had too many turnovers. We didn’t do enough to win the hockey game. Tonight we just didn’t get the jam.
Video: COL@NJD: Vanecek saves money on Rodrigues
The Avalanche started the game with the most power-play goals (10) and best power-play percentage (50) in the NHL, but went 0-for-6 on eight shots against the Devils. Colorado striker Valery Nichushkinwho has five power-play goals this season, did not play due to a lower-body injury.
Vanecek’s best save came at 9:57 of the third when he used his right pad to deny Evan Rodrigues in escape.
“Those are the things that lift the whole bench,” Ruff said. “That’s the save we’re looking for. It was a bad rebound that happened John [Marino], and you need a backup. He looked so comfortable making the save, and I felt comfortable after he did.”
The 26-year-old goaltender made 10 saves in the third in his second straight start.
“We didn’t have enough jumps and tried to cut through the neutral zone, and they were picking passes,” Rodrigues said. “We haven’t had enough rushes. We just have to keep it simple and keep getting pucks.”
Video: Vitek Vanecek made 24 saves against the Colorado Avalanche
Vanecek denied J.T. Compher on an instant shot from the slot at 9:27 of the first period.
“Let’s enjoy it for the next hour, but then we have to get ready to move on to our next game (against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Sunday),” Ruff said. “We thought they were the right team to play at the right time for our game. It was going to test us and it was going to make us uncomfortable. But we have to be comfortable being uncomfortable. comfortable, and I felt for the most part, we passed that test.”
REMARKS: Vanecek is the second goalie in Devils history to shut out the Avalanche (Martin Brodeur, four times). … Bratt extended his season-opening point streak to eight games (three goals, 10 assists); the only player in Devils/Colorado Rockies/Kansas City Scouts history with the longest starting streak is Tim Higgins in 1984-85 (five goals, five assists in 10 games). … Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon had a game-high seven shots on goal but was held for the second time this season in 25:29 of ice time. … Forward Martin Kault, who replaced Nichushkin on the second row, had a shot in 7:17. … The Devils went 34 for 48 (71%) on faceoffs; Nico Hischier went 16 for 17 and Erik Haula went 8 for 11. … New Jersey was disallowed a goal at 14:45 of first when it was determined after a video challenge that Miles Wood preceded the puck into the offensive zone and was offside.
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