Pavel Zacha scored two power-play goals, and Jesper Bratt had two assists as the visiting New Jersey Devils beat the Anaheim Ducks 3-0 on Sunday night.
Zacha and Bratt connected twice in almost identical plays, as the Devils stopped their two-game losing streak. Nico Hischier added one goal for the Devils.
Cory Schneider posted his second win and first shutout since returning to the Devils from a monthslong stint with Binghamton of the AHL. Schneider, who started the NHL season 0-6-1 before being sent to the minors, made 34 saves for his 26th career shutout.
Bratt made both of Zacha's goals happen. He twice took the puck down the right wing, muscled his way through the Anaheim defense, and then made a precision cross-ice pass to Zacha. The first goal came at 17:06 of the first period with Ducks left winger Sonny Milano in the penalty box for tripping, as Zacha buried a one-timer.
Zacha and Bratt put the Devils up 2-0 at 3:48 of the second, with Zacha again firing into a gaping net past goaltender John Gibson.
Hischier put the game out of reach, adding the Devils' third goal at 13:56 of the third. Connor Carrick lofted a wrister from the point, and Hischier knocked it down and through Gibson's pads.
The Devils won their first game in Anaheim since November 2013, ending a string of five losses. The Ducks saw their overall three-game point streak end.
The Devils' win also spoiled a return to the ice for David Backes. The 35-year-old winger, acquired Feb. 21 from the Boston Bruins in a trade for right winger Ondrej Kase, made his Ducks debut with two shots on goal, four hits, one blocked shot, and almost 12 minutes in ice time.
Backes hadn't played since Jan. 9, since he no longer was part of the Bruins' plans.
--Field Level Media
New Jersey | Anaheim | |
Pavel Zacha 2 | Points | N/A |
Pavel Zacha 2 | Goals | N/A |
Jesper Bratt 2 | Assists | N/A |
Pavel Zacha 2 | Power Play Goals | N/A |
N/A | Short Handed Goals | N/A |
Cory Schneider 1.000 | Save Percentage | John Gibson .912 |
Cory Schneider 34 | Saves | John Gibson 31 |
Team | Shots | Goals | Power Play | Penalty Kill | Penalty Mins | Face Offs Won |
New Jersey | 34 | 3 | 2-3 | 2-2 | 4 | 27 |
Anaheim | 34 | 0 | 0-2 | 1-3 | 6 | 27 |