The New Jersey Devils continued their strong start to the 2025-2026 season, defeating the Pittsburgh Penguins 2-1 in a shootout on Saturday night. With the victory, the Devils improved their unblemished home record to 7-0-0. The Devils now sit alone in first place in the Metropolitan Division.
Arseni Gritsyuk opened the scoring for the Devils with just 57.5 seconds remaining in the first period, capitalizing on a Kris Letang turnover. The rookie forward collected a loose puck in the neutral zone and skated in uncontested to beat Penguins goalie Arturs Silovs.
The Penguins responded midway through the second period when a Ryan Graves shot deflected off Ondrej Palat's chest and past Devils goaltender Jake Allen. Despite dominating overtime with four shots to the Devils' one, Pittsburgh couldn't find the go-ahead goal, sending the game to a shootout.
In the shootout, Paul Cotter and Jesper Bratt both scored for the Devils, while Allen denied Bryan Rust and Sidney Crosby to secure the win. Allen was a standout for New Jersey, stopping 33 of 34 shots in regulation and overtime. Silovs, despite making a highlight-reel glove save on Jack Hughes in the second period, allowed both shootout attempts to pass. He finished with 23 saves in the game.
The game was not without its physical moments. Midway through the first period, Anthony Mantha fought Brenden Dillon after Dillon delivered an open-ice hit to Thomas Novak. Novak briefly left the game but returned in the second period. Devils captain Nico Hischier also missed a few shifts in the third period after taking a puck to the face but returned to the game.
The Penguins, dealing with several injuries to key players including Tristan Jarry, Noel Acciari, and Rickard Rakell, struggled to convert their opportunities into goals. Silovs has struggled in shootouts this season, allowing seven goals on eight attempts.
The Devils are 10-4-0 overall with 50 goals for and 43 goals against. They are coached by Sheldon Keefe and captained by Nico Hischier. Their next game is November 9, 2025. The Penguins will return to Pittsburgh to face the Los Angeles Kings on Sunday.
