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 It was mission accomplished Sunday night against the Vancouver
Canucks.
Left winger Mike Cammalleri scored a goal and collected two assists
as the Devils defeated the Canucks 3-2.
"It was important tonight we played to our identity, and we were
happy with our compete level and commitment and work ethic,
regardless of the result," Cammalleri said. "When you do that, you
have a better chance of having a good result.
"We didn't like it the first couple games of this road trip."
Defenseman Andy Greene, on a power play, and left winger Adam
Henrique also scored for the Devils (11-8-1), who ended a two-game
losing streak.
It was the Devils' third win in six games. Coach John Hynes said his
team needed to restore some confidence and break some bad habits
that were starting to form.
"It was important for us to be able to do that," Hynes said. "Coming
into the game, we wanted to play better than we have in the last
couple of games and not let our play continue to go south.
"We did that tonight. Fortunately, we were able to find a way to win
in the process."
The win was especially sweet for goaltender Cory Schneider, who made
36 saves. Schneider spent three years in Vancouver before being
traded to New Jersey during the 2013 NHL draft.
"It still feels like a second home here," said Schneider, who won
for the first time in Vancouver since the trade. "It feels very
natural to be back here, but at the same time, it also feels good to
win here and to beat them.
"As a group, we needed two points. It's a building I played in a lot
and got very comfortable in. Tonight was one of those nights I felt
good about my game. We hung on, blocking shots, getting sticks on
passes at the end. It was a good group win."
Cammalleri knew Schneider was going to have a good game after going
out for lunch with him Saturday.
"We were calling him the mayor because he was getting cat calls from
the whole city everywhere we went," Cammalleri said. "It seems like
he was quite appreciated here."
The final score flattered the Canucks. Right winger Radim Vrbata
made it 3-2 when he scored with 0.6 seconds left. Vancouver was on a
power play and playing with an extra attacker while their goaltender
was on the bench.
The Canucks (8-8-6) couldn't build any momentum from a 6-3 win over
the defending Stanley Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks on Saturday.
They were 1-for-7 on the power play Sunday.
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"Our power play could have got us back in the game," said Vancouver
center Henrik Sedin, who scored a short-handed goal. "We had a lot
of chances, just couldn't score."
The Canucks have just one win in their last six games (1-4-1) and
now head out on a four-game road trip.
"It was a chance for us to get moving up in the standings and start
feeling good about ourselves," Sedin said. "That didn't happen.
"I thought we played good enough to win, but it doesn't count."
Sedin's third-period goal cut New Jersey's lead to 2-1 and looked to
put the wind back in Vancouver's sails. That changed when Henrique
scored just over two minutes later.
Vancouver goaltender Jacob Markstrom wished he had that goal back.
"It comes down to timely saves and timely goals," said Markstrom,
who stopped 19 shots. "I let in some goals when I needed to step up
and make a save in the third not to go down two goals.
"It doesn't feel too good right now."
NOTES: RW Radim Vrbata returned to the Vancouver lineup after
missing two games with a lower-body injury. ... Canucks C Brandon
Sutter, already out five games with an abdominal strain, will miss
at least two more weeks. ... Vancouver D Ben Hutton is expected to
miss two weeks with a foot injury. ... Canucks RW Jake Virtenen and
D Taylor Fedun, recently called up from Utica of the AHL, were
healthy scratches. ... The Canucks open a four-game road trip
Wednesday against the Minnesota Wild. ... New Jersey D David
Schlemko (lower-body injury) didn't play. ... Devils D Eric Gelinas
returned to the lineup after being a healthy scratch for seven
games. ... New Jersey LW Sefan Matteau started the game on the
fourth line. ... Devils RW Jiri Tlusty was a healthy scratch. ...
Devils RW Jordin Tootoo refused to comment on his allegations
Vancouver RW Alex Burrows made remarks about Tootoo's personal life
and family in a Nov. 8 game. ... The Devils return home to face the
Columbus Blue Jackets on Wednesday.
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