Rich Chere | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
Devils found the right way to cap first season under John Hynes
Adam Henrique said there was only one way the Devils' 6-1 season-ending win over the Toronto Maple Leafs could have been better. “If we could’ve gotten into the playoffs somehow that would have topped it off,” he said. That was not possible, but a sellout crowd at Prudential Center was treated to a memorable night. (Hit the share button to send this to a fellow Devils fan)
New Jersey Devils
If it was his last game, Patrik Elias made it memorable
Patrik Elias has had many big nights during his Devils' career, but Saturday night had added emotion because it might have been his final game. Elias collected a pair of assists and then scored with 15.9 seconds remaining. As everyone lined up for the next face-off, players on the Devils' bench tapped their sticks against the boards in recognition. Elias also clicked with Pavel Zacha in the rookie's NHL debut. “They’ve got to bring me back at least for him,” Elias joked.
Photo by Adam Hunger | Getty Images
Steve Santini's NHL debut: Shades of Scott Stevens
It took only 5:06 in his NHL debut for rookie Steve Santini to show what the Devils may be getting in the hard-hitting defenseman. He drilled Andrew Campbell with a shoulder hit, dropping the Maple Leafs' defenseman to the ice and knocking him out of the remainder of the game. Campbell stumbled to get back up, which brought back memories of some Scott Stevens hits. “I had a lot of adrenalin going, obviously," Santini said. "I didn’t want to put the team down a man, but it happened. We killed it off, thankfully. I thought it was a clean hit. But it’s the ref’s decision, not mine. I’m going to compete as hard as I can. If that means being physical, moving the puck or supporting the rush, I’m going to compete hard.” Although Santini got a roughing minor, defense partner David Schlemko said: “It looked clean to me.” Coach John Hynes said of Santini: “I think that’s the type of player he’s going to be. He comes as advertised as a big, string stay-at-home defenseman that plays a physical game with an edge. I think you saw that early in the game. But even as the game went on he looked pretty solid and he looked physically like he belonged in the league.”
New Jersey Devils
Adam Henrique scores twice to hit 30-goal plateau
Adam Henrique entered the season finale with 28 goals, but he had 30 on his mind. “Absolutely. I had to find a way to get that first ugly one, but I’ll take it. I got the 30th shortly after and I was pretty excited about it. It’s a special mark. First time in my career. I think there’s still more there.”
New Jersey Devils
Kyle Palmieri notches his 30th into an empty net
After scoring his 29th goal on Mar. 24, Kyle Palmieri went seven games without one. The drought ended when he scored with 2:56 left in Saturday night's game. The fact it was an empty net goal didn't bother Palmieri. "They all count," he said. "It's exciting. I had a lot of friends and family here all year. It feels good to reach that plateau." Adam Henrique said he would remind Palmieri it was an empty-netter. “I’ll give him a little grief for being an empty netter,” Henrique said. "But it was great to see Palms get his late in the game. He certainly deserved it. He had a heck of a year start to finish. He’s a big reason why this team is headed in the right direction.”
New Jersey Devils
Pavel Zacha's first NHL point
Pavel Zacha, the Devils' first-round selection in the 2015 NHL entry draft, made his NHL debut and scored his first point with an assist on a Devante Smith-Pelly goal in the first period. What did the point mean to the Czech center? "It meant that I helped my team to win. When you get a point and you lose it means nothing,” Zacha said. Coach John Hynes said of the Patrik Elias-Zacha-Smith-Pelly line: “They were one of the better lines on the ice.”
Photo by Adam Hunger | Getty Images
Cory Schneider establishes a career high with his 27th win
Goalie Cory Schneider, congratulated by Devils' rookie defenseman Steve Santini, ended a personal six-game losing streak to post his 27th victory of the season. That broke his previous high of 26 wins last season with the Devils. Schneider finished 27-25-6 after going 2-9-0 in his final nine decisions.
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