Devils' 4-2 Win vs. Blackhawks: 4 Takeaways

The New Jersey Devils didn't miss a beat without Jack Hughes and Nico Hischier in a 4-2 win over the Chicago Blackhawks

After a tough 4-1 loss to the St. Louis Blues on Friday evening, the New Jersey Devils bounced back with an impressive 4-2 win against the Chicago Blackhawks. Here are four takeaways from the win, which came without Jack Hughes. 

Devils Depth Players Led the Way at 5-on-5

The New Jersey Devils played a strong game at five-on-five, finishing with an expected goals percentage (xG%) of 62.44 percent while totaling 19 high-danger chances. But with Hughes and Nico Hischier out with injuries, it was their depth players that stepped up. 

Max Willman, who the Devils called up from the Utica Comets for an injured Hughes, scored on a breakaway in the first period to give the Devils a 2-1 lead. That wasn't the only good play he made, either. 

Later in the second period, Willman blocked a Connor Murphy shot, then tracked the puck back to the Blackhawks' defensive zone. His hustle frustrated Murphy and drew a Devils power play. In the third period, he beat out an icing to keep the puck live in the offensive zone. 

Willman finished third among Devils skaters in xG% at 77.46 percent, but he wasn't the only bottom-six player who stepped up. Curtis Lazar had his best game as Devil since they acquired him at last season's trade deadline. 

Not only did Lazar score the eventual game-winning goal, but he led Devils skaters in Game Score and xG% (85.91 percent). With Hughes and Hischier out, the Devils need role players like Lazar, Willman, etc. to step up and add some offense to help them keep up their solid start to this season. 

Marino Had a Vintage Marino Game

It may feel like John Marino hasn't played as well as he did a season ago, but he's been quite good. Last night, he showed why that was the case, as he had a significant two-way impact in helping the Devils come away with the win.