Devils can’t solve Golden Knights’ Adin Hill, fall 4-3 in shootout | 3 takeaways

The Devils had everything going for them Friday night in Vegas.

They crushed the Golden Knights in overall attempts (63.49% Corsi percentage), expected goals (72.39% xGF%) and even watched red-hot forward Dawson Mercer etch his name in the franchise record book.

They had the clutch factor, too. When Miles Wood scored minutes after Akira Schmid stopped William Karlsson on a third period penalty shot, the Devils looked destined to seal their 22nd comeback win of the season – even if it took an extra period.

Golden Knights goalie Adin Hill didn’t care.

In one of the most impressive goalie performances of the 2022-23 season, Hill, 26, posted 46 saves and halted a barrage of high danger chances in overtime to lead Vegas to the 4-3 shootout win.

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The Devils now own a 40-15-6 record this season. They are two points behind the Hurricanes for first place in the Metropolitan Division and face the Coyotes in Phoenix on Saturday. The Devils have a 14-0-2 record against the Pacific Division this season.

Here are three takeaways from the Devils’ 4-3 loss to the Golden Knights:

Adin Hill

Based on advanced metrics, the Devils should have had at least six goals on Friday (6.05 expected goals).

They only potted three.

Yes, despite facing 49 shots, 29 high danger chances and 55 scoring chances, Hill looked poised and showed excellent rebound control against a high-powered Devils offense. He got better as pressure mounted, stopping eight shots in overtime and every New Jersey shootout chance.

After the game, Devils coach Lindy Ruff gave a nod to Hill, stating he “thought he had a tremendous game.”

Dawson’s Streak

Mercer rushed at the loose puck, veered toward the right face-off circle and out-hustled backpedaling Golden Knights defenseman Brayden McNabb.

Then came the snipe.

Mercer’s first period goal extended his goal streak to eight games (tied a franchise record set by Paul Gardner in 1977-78) and earned him his 10th goal in the last eight games. Mercer’s streak is longest of the 2022-23 season.

He’s also closing in on a “Great One” stat.

According to NHL PR, Wayne Gretzky is the only player in NHL history with a longer goal streak before age 22 – which, considering Gretzky’s stronghold on NHL records, is absurd. Mercer has 21 goals and 23 assists (44 points).

Sharangovich benched

Ruff had seen enough.

After watching forward Yegor Sharangovich bobble the puck in the neutral zone in the second period, which directly led to Jonathan Marchessault’s second goal of the night, the 63-year-old coach decided to bench him in the third to double shift Jack Hughes. Sharangovich eventually returned, but finished the game with one shot on goal, three attempts and one giveaway vs. Vegas.

Sharangovich, 24, has just two goals and eight assists since 2023 began. If he doesn’t fix things soon, he’ll risk being the odd-man out once Timo Meier makes his Devils debut.

MORE DEVILS:

–How Devils’ Lindy Ruff went from the hot seat to a coach sparking postseason dreams: ‘He really needs an apology’

–’That hit still haunts me’: 2012 Devils reflect on Stanley Cup misery 10 years later

–’I don’t regret one bit of it’: Martin Brodeur finally talks about his Devils grudge and forgiveness, that brief Blues stint and his GM dreams

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Ryan Novozinsky may be reached at rnovozinsky@njadvancemedia.com. You can follow him on Twitter @ryannovo62.

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