New Jersey did it for the most part with just five defensemen after Brett Pesce sustained an upper-body injury in the first period. Pesce blocked a shot from Brent Burns at 14:39 and didn’t return for another shift. The injury resulted in more ice time for Luke Hughes (24:43) and Nemec (23:35).
“I thought Luke was great,” Devils coach Sheldon Keefe said. “I thought the more we needed our defense, he got even better in terms of solving problems and breaking pucks out. He skated out of trouble a bunch of times for us. That was a strength in the third period … how we were able to speed the puck out of pressure, and Luke led the way for us there.”
Brock Nelson tied the game in the third period, and Nathan MacKinnon also scored for the Avalanche (5-1-4), who have lost four straight (0-1-3), including 3-2 at the Boston Bruins on Saturday. Trent Miner made 20 saves.
“They have a lot of skill,” Nelson said of the Devils. “Guys who can wheel and fly up front and try to beat you with edges and skills. I thought we did good things offensively, but obviously it would have been better if we found that extra one.”
