Devils defeat the Wild 4-1 to extend winning streak to six games

The New Jersey Devils extended their winning streak to six games with a commanding 4-1 victory over the Minnesota Wild on October 22, 2025, at Prudential Center in Newark. Nico Daws delivered a stellar performance with 29 saves in his season debut, while Arseny Gritsyuk celebrated his first NHL goal in what proved to be a dominant display from the Devils. The win marked New Jersey’s longest winning streak since their impressive 13-game run that began in late October 2022, showcasing the team’s early-season momentum and cohesive play across all aspects of the game.

Minnesota, meanwhile, concluded a disappointing five-game road trip with just one victory, finishing 1-3-1 and struggling to find consistency against a Devils team that has now won three games at home and three on the road during their current streak. The Wild’s Matt Boldy managed to spoil Daws’ shutout bid, but it was too little, too late against a New Jersey squad firing on all cylinders.

Minnesota wild vs New Jersey devils game recap 2025: First period dominance sets the tone

The opening frame of this Minnesota Wild vs New Jersey Devils game recap 2025 saw the home team establish control early, dictating the pace and generating quality scoring chances. While neither team found the back of the net for the first 16 minutes, the Devils maintained consistent pressure in the offensive zone, with their top line creating multiple opportunities against Filip Gustavsson.

Paul Cotter finally broke the deadlock at 16:21 of the first period, capitalizing on a beautiful setup from Connor Brown. Cotter positioned himself perfectly in the slot and fired a wrist shot past Gustavsson to give New Jersey a 1-0 lead heading into the intermission. The goal was Cotter’s first of the season and proved to be the momentum-builder the Devils needed.

The Wild struggled to establish their forecheck during the opening 20 minutes, managing just a handful of shots on Daws. Minnesota’s speed game, which had been effective in their previous victory against the Rangers, was neutralized by New Jersey’s structured defensive play and quick transitions.

Gustavsson kept his team within striking distance with several key saves, but the Wild’s inability to generate sustained offensive pressure foreshadowed the challenges they would face throughout the contest. The Devils outshot Minnesota 12-8 in the first period, setting the stage for what would become a comprehensive performance.

Daws delivers when it matters most in the second frame

Nico Daws faced his most significant test of the evening during the second period, making 10 crucial saves to preserve New Jersey’s lead. The 24-year-old goaltender, playing just his second game of the season including AHL action, demonstrated remarkable composure and positioning throughout the middle frame.

The most pivotal moment came at 18:14 when Daws robbed Ryan Hartman at the left post with a spectacular right pad stop just as a Minnesota power play expired. The save prevented the Wild from gaining momentum heading into the second intermission and maintained the Devils’ two-goal cushion. “It was a big part of the game,” Daws said afterward. “We’re up and they had a power play right at the end of the second. If they get one there, they’ve got a lot of confidence going into intermission. I tried to do everything I could to keep that one out.”

Brenden Dillon extended New Jersey’s lead to 2-0 at 6:08 of the second period with a quick snap shot from the left point that found its way through traffic and past Gustavsson. The goal was Dillon’s second in as many games, matching his entire goal total from the previous season when he played all 82 games. His offensive contribution has been an unexpected bonus for a Devils team already rolling with depth scoring.

The Devils’ defensive structure remained airtight throughout the period, with their penalty kill unit continuing its remarkable run. New Jersey successfully killed off another Minnesota power play, extending their streak to 20 consecutive penalties killed. The team’s 24-for-25 performance on the penalty kill through seven games has been a cornerstone of their early success.

Gritsyuk’s milestone moment highlights dominant third period

The third period of this Minnesota Wild vs New Jersey Devils game recap 2025 belonged to Arseny Gritsyuk, who scored his first NHL goal just 4:53 into the frame. Playing in his seventh NHL game, the 24-year-old Russian forward capitalized on a power-play opportunity when Timo Meier won a crucial face-off back to him in the high slot. Gritsyuk didn’t hesitate, unleashing a snap shot that beat Gustavsson cleanly to make it 3-0.

“I’m very excited that it finally happened,” Gritsyuk said after the game. “It was longer than I thought, but it finally happened and there’s many more ahead.” The goal was particularly meaningful given Gritsyuk’s promotion to the second line alongside Nico Hischier and Timo Meier, with Dawson Mercer shifting to third-line center duties.

Devils head coach Sheldon Keefe praised his young forward’s complete game, noting that Gritsyuk has exceeded expectations beyond his offensive abilities. “He’s come over (from Russia) and is billed as the big shooter, the big scorer, but this is just a complete hockey player,” Keefe explained. “He’s sound defensively. He works hard, he’s strong, good in possession, smart and has extremely good reads.”

Matt Boldy finally broke through for Minnesota at 10:37, cutting the deficit to 3-1 with a wrist shot from the left hash marks that beat Daws. The goal was Boldy’s fifth of the season but came far too late to spark any real comeback attempt from the Wild. Jesper Bratt sealed the victory with an empty-net goal at 18:43, giving New Jersey the 4-1 final score and extending his season-opening point streak to seven games with 11 points.

Wild’s struggles on the road continue against Devils’ systematic play

Minnesota’s offensive challenges were evident throughout the contest, as they struggled to generate high-danger scoring chances against a disciplined Devils defense. The Wild managed just 30 shots on goal and failed to convert on three power-play opportunities, extending their frustrating road trip that saw them win just once in five games.

“It’s hard [to slow down the Devils],” Boldy acknowledged postgame. “You’ve got to make the right decisions. It’s like a playoff game against them. You have to make the right play, win battles. You’re not catching Jack (Hughes) or (Jesper) Bratt. Those two are flying. It’s how they play the game and they’re really good at it. You’ve got to make the right play always, and they make you pay when you don’t.”

Wild coach John Hynes, who previously coached the Devils, identified his team’s lack of directness as a primary issue. “We weren’t direct enough, a little bit [on the] perimeter,” Hynes said. “We overpassed, didn’t shoot. It just comes to consistency and putting that game on the ice night in and night out. That’s usually what it takes to win.”

Filip Gustavsson made 31 saves in the losing effort but couldn’t overcome the Devils’ relentless pressure and opportunistic finishing. The Wild’s defensive breakdowns, particularly on the first two goals, proved costly against a New Jersey team that has thrived on capitalizing on opponents’ mistakes. Minnesota’s special teams also failed to provide a spark, going 0-for-3 on the power play against the NHL’s most effective penalty-killing unit this season.

Devils’ penalty kill and depth scoring fuel winning streak

New Jersey’s remarkable 24-for-25 penalty kill performance through seven games has emerged as a defining characteristic of their early-season success. The Devils went 3-for-3 against Minnesota’s power play, extending their consecutive penalty kills to 21 and demonstrating the kind of systematic excellence that championship teams display.

“We’re on the same page on the penalty kill,” Dawson Mercer explained. “We take a lot of pride in it and it’s something that either gives us a lot of momentum or gives them momentum, and every inch of the game that we can take to put ourselves in a better advantage, we’re going to take that.” The unit’s aggressive stick positioning, smart gap control, and Daws’ timely saves have combined to create an impenetrable wall for opposing power plays.

The Devils’ depth scoring has been equally impressive during the winning streak. Paul Cotter, Connor Brown, Brenden Dillon, and Arseny Gritsyuk all contributed offensively against Minnesota, demonstrating that New Jersey doesn’t rely solely on their top-line stars. Stefan Noesen also returned to the lineup after missing the first six games with a lower-body injury, adding another dimension to the team’s forward depth.

Jesper Bratt’s season-opening seven-game point streak (four goals, seven assists) has provided consistent offensive production, while Dawson Mercer’s two-assist performance showed his ability to impact the game from the center position. The Devils have received contributions from throughout their lineup, making them difficult to defend and match up against. As they continue their impressive start, New Jersey looks poised to build on this momentum, particularly with their defensive structure remaining so solid.

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The Devils’ 4-1 victory over the Wild showcased a team hitting its stride early in the 2025 season, with balanced scoring, elite goaltending from Nico Daws, and a penalty kill operating at historic levels. As New Jersey prepares to host San Jose, they’ll look to extend their winning streak to seven games and continue building on the chemistry and confidence that has defined their impressive start. For Minnesota, returning home to face Utah offers an opportunity to reset after a difficult road trip and rediscover the consistency that has eluded them through the season’s first eight games.