NEWARK, N.J. – Reid Boucher set up a goal and scored the game-winner 7:13 into the third period, and the New Jersey Devils edged the Edmonton Oilers 2-1 after retiring Martin Brodeur’s No. 30 jersey in a rousing ceremony Tuesday night.
Adam Henrique also had a goal and an assist as the Devils snapped a three-game losing streak and sent the Oilers to their third straight loss.
Cory Schneider made 19 saves for New Jersey, including 1-on-1 stops in the first period against Taylor Hall and Connor McDavid. Schneider also denied Leon Draisaitl in close in the final minute.
McDavid, the top pick in last year’s draft, set up Jordan Eberle’s goal for Edmonton. Cam Talbot made 24 saves.
Special teams were the difference. The Devils converted on two of their five power plays and killed off all three Oilers chances with the extra man.
New Jersey has killed off 19 straight opponents’ power plays over the last five games.
Boucher’s winner came with Edmonton defenceman Adam Clendening off for delay of game.
The Devils worked the puck around and Jacob Josefson fanned on a shot in close at an open net. New Jersey kept the pressure on, however, and Boucher took a pass from Henrique in the right circle and ripped a shot past Talbot.
The shot came from about the same spot where Boucher took the initial shot on Henrique’s goal midway through the first period.
The puck seemed to hit off Lee Stempniak and Talbot in front and landed a couple of feet in front of the crease. Henrique pounced on the rebound and jammed it home for his 18th goal.
The Oilers tied the score 66 seconds later on a great play by McDavid. He won a faceoff, skated around two players and found Benoit Pouliot to the left of Schneider. The forward sent the puck across the crease to Eberle for a shot into an open net and his 15th goal.
McDavid has two goals and five assists in five games since returning from an injured clavicle.
Schneider stopped Hall on a breakaway in the opening minute of the first period and turned away McDavid breaking in from the right side.
NOTES: Devils D Seth Helgeson and Oilers C Matt Hendricks entertained the crowd midway through the second period with a competitive fight. … The Oilers finished 1-3 on their road trip. They play their next six games at home, starting against Toronto on Thursday. … Pouliot has six points (two goals, four assists) in his last five games. … The Devils’ next game is Saturday at Philadelphia.
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