Democrats sweep Virginia, New Jersey governor’s races

By ALAN SUDERMAN and MICHAEL CATALINI
Associated Press

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Voters in Virginia and New Jersey gave Democratic gubernatorial candidates large victories Tuesday and sent a clear message of rebuke to Republican President Donald Trump.

In Virginia’s hard-fought contest, Democratic Lt. Gov. Ralph Northam defeated Republican Ed Gillespie. In New Jersey, front-running Democrat Phil Murphy overcame Republican Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno to succeed unpopular GOP Gov. Chris Christie.

Democrats swept all three of Virginia’s statewide races, including contests for attorney general and lieutenant governor. Several incumbent state House Republicans also lost their seats.

The wins in Virginia and New Jersey are a morale boost to Democrats who had so far been unable to channel anti-Trump energy into success at the ballot box in a major election this year.

“The people are gonna rise up. They’re not gonna take what he says and this is not fake news,” said Leanna Barnes, a 76-year-old from East Orange, New Jersey, who voted for Murphy and said she saw his victory as a message to the president.

Virginia college student Tamia Mallory said she began paying attention to her state’s gubernatorial race when she saw tweets from Trump endorsing Gillespie. That motivated her to examine the race and find out who was running against Gillespie, she said.

“It was kind of an anti-Trump vote,” Mallory said.

Northam, the state’s lieutenant governor, repeatedly sought during long months of divisive campaigning to tie Gillespie to the president. His victory was in large part due to the surge in anti-Trump sentiment since the president took office. Democrats said they had record levels of enthusiasm heading into the race in Virginia, a swing-state and the only Southern state that Trump lost last year.

Gillespie, meanwhile, sought to keep Trump at a distance throughout the campaign but tried to rally the president’s supporters with hard-edge attack ads focused on illegal immigration and preserving Confederate statues. The strategy was criticized by Democrats and some Republicans as race baiting, but drew praise from former Trump strategist Steve Bannon and others as a canny way to win a state that voted for Hillary Clinton last year.

Trump lent limited pre-election support to Gillespie with robocalls and tweets.

In one call, Trump said Gillespie shared his views on immigration and crime and would help “Make America Great Again.” Trump also said Northam would be a “total disaster” for Virginia.

But after Tuesday’s loss, Trump suggested that Gillespie hurt himself by not more closely aligning himself with the president.

“Ed Gillespie worked hard but did not embrace me or what I stand for,” Trump said in a tweet after Northam won, before pointing out that Republicans have won every special election to the U.S. House since he was elected.

Northam’s victory is a blow to Republicans, who were hoping that Gillespie could provide a possible roadmap for moderate Republicans to follow in next year’s midterm elections. Several Republicans have announced plans to retire next year instead of seeking re-election.

Gillespie struck a humble tone in his concession speech as he offered support to Northam.

He wiped tears from his eyes while thanking his wife and said the million people who voted for him love Virginia, and so do those who disagree with them.

“And I know they too are rooting for our new governor to succeed because we all love the commonwealth of Virginia,” Gillespie said.

Democrats were gleeful at Northam’s victory party. U.S. Rep. Gerry Connolly called Northam the “perfect antidote” to the president.

“This is a comprehensive victory from the statehouse to the courthouse. Thank you, President Trump,” Connolly said.

In Virginia, Northam’s victory is another sign of the state’s shift toward a more liberal electorate. Democrats have won every statewide election since 2009 and now have won four out of the last five gubernatorial contests. Northam banked heavily during the campaign on his near-perfect political resume and tried to cast himself as the low-key doctor with a strong Southern drawl as the healer to Trump’s divisiveness.

A pediatric neurologist and Army doctor, Northam made health care reform a centerpiece of his political career and current campaign, winning key allies along the way. As a state senator he was a leading opponent of a Republican effort to mandate ultrasounds before abortions in 2012, winning him strong support from well-funded abortion-rights groups.

Democratic New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio wins 2nd term

Associated Press

NEW YORK (AP) — Mayor Bill de Blasio cruised to re-election on Tuesday, fending off token opposition to win a second term as the leader of the nation’s largest city.

De Blasio, a Democrat, easily defeated Republican state lawmaker Nicole Malliotakis and several third-party candidates. The Associated Press called the election for de Blasio shortly after polls closed in the city, which leans heavily Democratic.

On the campaign trail, de Blasio touted his rollout of universal pre-kindergarten for 4-year-olds and efforts to increase affordable housing. He also cited low crime rates and his work to address his city’s notoriously high cost of living.

First elected four years ago, de Blasio emerged as a national leader in progressive politics. But his administration often found itself bogged down in feuds with Gov. Andrew Cuomo, a fellow Democrat, and investigations into campaign donations and pay-to-play politics.

De Blasio’s toughest challenger on Tuesday, Malliotakis, called the mayor ineffective. Third-party candidates in the race included independent Bo Dietl, a former detective.

The 56-year-old mayor has vowed that in his second term he will further expand pre-kindergarten to 3-year-olds and increase investments in affordable housing. He also has promised to continue to speak out for the city’s immigrant and minority communities and be a vocal critic of President Donald Trump.

The city leans heavily to the left, with Democrats outnumbering Republicans by a 6-1 ratio.

Connor McDavid sets up 3 goals, Oilers beat Devils 6-3

Associated Press

EDMONTON, Alberta (AP) — Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers put it all together against the New Jersey Devils.

McDavid had three assists and Edmonton beat New Jersey 6-3 on Friday night to hand the Devils their first road loss of the season.

“Tonight was the first time in a while that we had everyone going, and all lines playing well and playing the right way, and we were rewarded,” McDavid said. “So it’s good to see.”

Drake Caggiula, Ryan Strome, Oscar Klefbom, Milan Lucic, Leon Draisaitl and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins scored for the Oilers. They snapped a two-game losing streak to improve to 4-7-1.

“We’ve got to get back to the mode we had last year,” Lucic said. “When you win one and you’re feeling good about things, you’ve got to keep it going for as long as you can.”

Former Oiler Taylor Hall, Jesper Bratt and Brian Gibbons responded for the Devils. They dropped to 9-3-0.

“It seemed like everything kind of went in for them,” Hall said. “Passes off skates and everything tonight.”

Edmonton started the scoring five minutes into the opening period on the power play as McDavid sent a pass through the crease to Caggiula, who tapped the puck in before goalie Cory Schneider could get across.

The Oilers made it 2-0 three minutes later when Adam Larsson’s point shot ended up going off Strome and in.

Hall came back to haunt his old team with five minutes left in the first when he backhanded the rebound from Miles Wood’s shot past goalie Cam Talbot.

New Jersey tied it five minutes into the second period when Bratt’s spin-around shot hit the post and caromed into the net.

The Oilers regained just over a minute later on Klefbom’s blast on the rush.

Edmonton made it 4-2 with 1:04 to play in the second when a rebound hit Lucic while he was driving to the net and bounced in.

The Oilers added some insurance with seven minutes remaining in the third period when McDavid made a perfect pass to Draisaitl at the side of the net for his third of the season.

The Devils got that goal back just over a minute later on a tip by Gibbons, his team-leading sixth.

Edmonton got an empty-net goal as Hall sent the puck back to the point and almost scored on his own net, leading to a tap-in by Nugent-Hopkins.

NOTES: The clubs will meet again Thursday night in New Jersey. ... Devils forward Marcus Johansson missed the game with a concussion suffered on Wednesday in Vancouver.

UP NEXT:

Devils: At Calgary on Sunday night.

Oilers: Host Detroit on Sunday.

Police: 17-year-old girl found slain, suspect in custody

Associated Press
SODUS, N.Y. (AP) — Authorities say a 17-year-old girl has been found slain in a New York neighborhood.

The Wayne County Sheriff’s Office says the slaying occurred early Friday morning in a neighborhood of mobile homes in the town of Sodus (SOH’-duhs), 25 miles (40 kilometers) east of Rochester.

Sheriff Barry Virts says the victim’s name is Alyssa Taft, a student at Sodus High School.

Officials say one person is in custody in connection with the killing and is expected to be arraigned sometime on Friday.

No other details have been released. The sheriff says more information will be disclosed at a news conference Friday afternoon at the sheriff’s office in Lyons.

Rangers' Kevin Hayes, Tampa's Stamkos and Kucherov fined $5K for unsportsmanlike conduct

Tampa Bay Lightning forwards Steven Stamkosand Alex Killorn as well as New York Rangers forward Kevin Hayes have each been fined $5,000 by the NHL for unsportsmanlike conduct during Thursday's game.

The incident was initiated by Hayes who sprayed Killorn with water from the Rangers' bench before a faceoff. Killorn reacted by jabbing Hayes with his stick a couple times. Stamkos also got involved after Killorn was given a slashing minor by spraying water in the direction of the Rangers' bench. 

The incident, which occurred three minutes into the third period, also sparked a fight betweenSteven Kampfer of the Rangers and Lightning forward J.T. Brown.

Jets damage Bills' AFC East standing, 34-2

By BARRY WILNER
Associated Press

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — There was one team that looked like a playoff contender Thursday night. It wasn't the Buffalo Bills.

Buffalo's pursuit of AFC East kingpin New England was stymied by the New York Jets, who controlled the line of scrimmage on both sides in a 34-21 win that never was close in the second half.

Matt Forte ran for two touchdowns four days after complaining the Jets didn't run the ball enough, and an overwhelming defense sacked Tyrod Taylor seven times.

"We played to what we do best," Forte said. "Our offensive line likes to come off the line straight ahead and hit guys in the mouth and wear guys out like that. I think we started to wear them out as the game went on, and you saw some runs pop here and there."

Buffalo (5-3) came in having scored 64 points in its last two wins, but self-destructed with turnovers and miscues. New York (4-5) snapped a three-game slide in which it held leads in each defeat.

"We've got a high ceiling," defensive tackle Leonard Williams said. "We showed we can get takeaways, we showed we can get sacks, we showed we can stop the run. This is our first game putting it all together in a complete game. I feel like now that we showed it and put in on film, we'll definitely challenge ourselves to keep progressing."

Forte scored on runs of 10 and 5 yards and had 14 carries for 77 yards. Augmenting that was Bilal Powell with a 51-yard burst and 74 yards on nine carries. Quarterback Josh McCown got in on the fun with a 10-yard scramble to open the scoring, and New York rushed for 194 yards overall.

Jordan Jenkins had two of the Jets' sacks as they never allowed Buffalo's offense to get on track.

Indeed, mistakes were the Bills' trademark.

"We came into their house and they just outplayed us," Taylor said. "They were really aggressive today and played to their strengths.

"We have to stop the negative plays. Tonight we had turnovers on offense and that's not our style of play."

Buffalo made a key error on New York's second touchdown drive. Cedric Thornton sacked McCown, but grabbed his face mask. The 15-yard penalty, which followed a 20-yard pass to Jermaine Kearse and a 22-yard run by Forte, led to Robby Anderson beating double coverage for a 25-yard TD reception.

Forte's 10-yard run made it 24-7 and came one play after Powell broke four tackles on his 51-yard jaunt that featured slick moves and plenty of speed.

The Bills hurt themselves further when Nick O'Leary fumbled on a strange play. The tight end caught Taylor's third-down pass and fell to the ground untouched. He delayed, heard no whistle, and got up. But the ball then was stripped by Marcus Maye and recovered by fellow rookie safety Jamal Adams.

Adding to the miscues, Bills defensive end Jerry Hughes drew a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty for mouthing off to an official — during a timeout, no less — on the ensuing Jets drive.

Taylor also fumbled when sacked for the sixth time, and Forte's 5-yard TD run followed. And even when the Bills recovered a late onside kick, they were flagged for offside.

New York opened the scoring — the fourth straight game it has led early — after some strong defense pinned Buffalo near its goal line. A punt set up the Jets near midfield and they used eight plays to score.

McCown, looking very spry for a 38-year-old QB, went in untouched around the left side on a scramble for a 7-0 Jets lead.

Buffalo matched that, aided by Taylor's 18-yard scramble on third down. Rookie Zay Jones caught his first pro TD, an 11-yarder when he got wide open over the middle.

An offensive pass interference call on Austin Sefarian-Jenkins' touchdown catch negated the tight end's TD early in the second quarter and the Jets settled for Chandler Catanzaro's 45-yard field goal to retake the lead. He later hit a 32-yarder.

The Jets found a pass rush that was missing in action most of the year. They came in with 11 sacks, which was last among teams that had played eight games.

Buffalo scored two late touchdowns to make the final margin less lopsided.

"We were outplayed fundamentally. We weren't very good," coach Sean McDermott said.

J-E-T-S

Fireman Ed, once the team's unofficial cheerleader, led the J-E-T-S chant for the first time this season. It got pretty loud, too, even though there were several thousand empty seats at MetLife Stadium.

INJURIES

Bills: Jones, who was having a fine first half with four catches for 40 yards and a touchdown, was tripped by cornerback Buster Skrine and injured his right leg and was helped off. Jones, Buffalo's second-round draft pick, returned for the second half, but aggravated the leg. ... Running back Taiwan Jones hurt his left arm in a scramble for a fourth-quarter onside kick.

Jets: WR Jeremy Kerley left in the first quarter with an ankle injury. LB Bruce Carter (hamstring) was sidelined in the second half.

UP NEXT

Bills: Host New Orleans on Nov. 12.

Jets: Visit Tampa Bay on Nov. 12.

Tavares helps Islanders cool off Golden Knights, 6-3

By VIN A. CHERWOO
Associated Press

NEW YORK (AP) — John Tavares and the New York Islanders are on quite a roll.

Tavares kept up his scoring surge with two more goals and the Islanders beat Vegas 6-3 on Monday night, handing the expansion Golden Knights their second loss of the season.

Andrew Ladd, Mathew Barzal, Cal Clutterbuck and Nikolay Kulemin also scored, and Jaroslav Halak stopped 31 shots to help New York win for the fifth time in six games. Tavares has eight goals in the last four games.

“Guys did a great job of creating chances, playing hard, winning battles and playing with pace again,” Tavares said. “We had contributions up and down the lineup. Obviously, that’s key to score six goals. ... The execution is there and we’re just competing really hard.”

William Karlsson, Alex Tuch and Colin Miller scored for Vegas (8-2-0), which snapped a five-game winning streak and lost another goalie to injury. With starter Marc-Andre Fleury and backup Malcolm Subban already sidelined, Oscar Dansk left with an apparent leg injury after Tavares scored the tying goal late in the second period.

Dansk, who came in 3-0 with an NHL-best 1.34 goals-against average, made 17 saves. Maxime Lagace, the fourth goalie Vegas has used in its inaugural season, came on for his NHL debut and gave up four goals on 11 shots.

“We didn’t help Max out,” Miller said. “He’s getting thrown in the fire a little bit. I’m sure he’ll do fine. He’s played hockey for a long time. I’m sure he’ll be all right.”

Golden Knights coach Gerard Gallant didn’t have an update on Dansk after the game. He said Lagace would start Tuesday at the New York Rangers, and another goalie would be called up to be the backup.

Vegas led 2-1 after one period before Tavares tied the score with his 10th goal with 5:10 left, deflecting a shot by Nick Leddy past Dansk, who was injured on the play. The Golden Knights challenged for goalie interference, but the goal stood after a review.

With Reilly Smith off for high-sticking, Barzal gave the Islanders their first lead as he knocked in the rebound of a backhand by Anders Lee that went off the right post for his third.

Smith’s penalty was the Golden Knights’ third of the second period and fifth of the game.

“If we’re going to win on the road, you can’t take five penalties in the first two periods and get behind the 8-ball there,” Gallant said. “When the game was real close we made a couple of big mistakes there and opened the door for them to get six goals.”

Clutterbuck extended New York’s lead to 4-2 at 4:44 of the third as he skated up the right side and fired the puck past Lagace’s glove for his second.

Kulemin made it a three-goal lead with his first of the season at 8:26 of the third.

Tavares scored on a breakaway with 7:22 left for his 11th of the season, giving New York six goals for the second straight game.

“We built some good momentum,” Tavares said. “Now it’s just to keep it going. It’s a long season.”

Miller beat Halak from the right circle with 5:19 to go to pull Vegas to 6-3.

Vegas got on the scoreboard first with the first short-handed goal in franchise history as Karlsson got a pass from Cody Eakin and beat Halak, who was out of position trying to disrupt the pass, at 9:31. It was the sixth short-handed goal allowed by the Islanders, tying Buffalo for most in the NHL.

“Yet another short-handed goal against — it just can’t happen,” Islanders coach Doug Weight said. “I’m glad they battled back, put pucks to the net and scored on a couple of power plays.”

Ladd tied it with 6:10 remaining in the period as he fired a shot from the top of the right circle past Dansk’s blocker side for his third.

The Golden Knights went back ahead 2-1 nearly two minutes later with a power-play goal when Miller’s shot deflected off Tuch’s skate in front and past Halak. It was Tuch’s third of the season.

NOTES: Tavares has nine goals and 12 points in the last five games. ... Josh Bailey had three assists to give him points in seven straight games (two goals, 10 assists). ... The Islanders improved to 4-0-1 at home this season. ... The teams conclude the season series Jan. 25 at Las Vegas. ... Gallant was back at Barclays Center for the first time since coaching Florida against the Islanders in the first round of the 2016 playoffs. New York won the series at home in two overtimes in Game 6. Gallant was fired by the Panthers last Nov. 27. ... Each team went 2 for 5 on the power play. ... Vegas gave up two power-play goals after going 10 for 10 on the penalty-kill the previous three games. ... Miller had an assist for the fifth straight game.

UP NEXT

Golden Knights: At the New York Rangers on Tuesday night.

Islanders: At the Washington Capitals on Thursday night.

Miller scores in OT, Rangers beat Lightning 2-1

By MARK DIDTLER
Associated Press

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — The New York Rangers were a determined group from the opening puck drop, and the result was a win over one of the NHL’s best.

J.T. Miller scored 1:19 into overtime and the Rangers beat the Tampa Bay Lightning 2-1 on Thursday night.

Miller skated around defenseman Anton Stralman and beat Andrei Vasilevskiy. New York also got a goal from Chris Kreider, and Henrik Lundqvist stopped 27 shots.

“I think the key going into this game was to control the top guys and we did a really good job,” Lundqvist said. “It was a fun game to play. We followed our game plan and that’s something we have to focus on.”

Tampa Bay’s top line of Steven Stamkos, Nikita Kucherov and Vladislav Namestnikov was held off the scoreboard. The trio finished with eight shots.

The Rangers have won consecutive games for the first time this season.

Yanni Gourde had a goal and Vasilevskiy made 33 saves for the Lightning (10-2-2). Vasilevskiy had won nine consecutive decisions.

“He clearly got us the point,” Tampa Bay coach Jon Cooper said of Vasilevskiy, who is 10-1-1.

Kreider opened the scoring during a 3-on-1 at 18:34 of the first.

Gourde tied it at 1 with a short-handed goal off a nifty pass through the slot by Victor Hedman 11 minutes into the second.

Vasilevskiy stopped Kevin Shattenkirk’s breakaway shot and made a stick save on Jesper Fast’s in-close rebound after Michael Grabner’s shot hit the post in the first. He also made several strong saves in the third following Tampa Bay turnovers.

Lundqvist turned aside Stamkos’ left-circle power-play shot during the first and the Lightning captain’s in-close backhander early on in the second.

Stamkos, playing in his 600th NHL game, was held pointless for just the second time in 14 games.

Grabner had a goal early in the second disallowed because the puck was kept in the offensive zone by a high stick.

Tampa Bay had Alex Killorn’s goal three minutes into the third disallowed due to goalie interference. The call was confirmed by a video review following a Lightning challenge.

“I wanted to come out and I can’t come out,” Lundqvist said. “I can’t play the position. Sometimes players think they have to bump the goalie but he comes in there and I can’t come out. It’s the right call, for sure.”

Cooper disagreed, saying “It was a bad call.”

NOTES: Rangers coach Alain Vigneault got his 619th NHL win, moving within one of tying Bryan Murray for 12th place on the all-time list. ... Tampa Bay D Dan Girardi, who spent parts of 11 seasons with the Rangers, faced his old team for the first time. ... Rangers D Ryan McDonagh was in the lineup a day after sitting out practice. ... Lightning C Cedric Paquette (upper body) missed his seventh straight game but might return next wee

UP NEXT

Rangers: Wrap up a two-game Florida swing Saturday night against the Panthers.

Lightning: Host Columbus on Saturday night.

Devils face Oilers as western Canada trip continues

The New Jersey Devils will play their second contest of a three-game western Canada road trip tonight against the Edmonton Oilers (also, 11/5 at CGY). Seven of the Devils' next 9 games are against Western Conference teams. The club is 3-1-0 against the Western Conference and is 2-1-0 vs. the Pacific Division in 2017-18.

The Devils are 5-0-0 on the road this season. The Devils are the only team in the NHL without a regulation or OT/SO loss on the road.

In 2016-17, New Jersey was win-less against the Oilers (0-0-2) (Jan. 7 in NJ, 1-2 OT / Jan. 12 @ EDM, 2-3 OT). The Devils last win in Edmonton was during the 2014-15 season (Nov. 21, 2014, 2-0).

Steven Santini and Travis Zajac led the team in scoring with a goal and an assist each in two games against the Oilers last year. Taylor Hall had one assist in his first trip back to Edmonton (Jan. 12, 2017) after being traded to the Devils from the Oilers on June 30, 2016.

Cory Schneider  made both starts against the Oilers stopping 72 of 77 shots against (.935 save%).

 

Schneider is 7-3-2 in his career against Edmonton with a 1.72 GAA and a .935 save%. Goaltender Keith Kinkaid lost his lone start against Edmonton 5-1 (Nov. 15, 2015) stopping 22 of 26 shots that he faced.

INJURIES

• Travis Zajac  (IR, torn left pectoral muscle, 11 games missed) is out 4-6 months at time of surgery, August 17, 2017.

• Michael McLeod  (IR, torn meniscus in left knee, 11 games missed) suffered Sept. 25, had successful arthroscopic surgery on Oct. 12. Out 4-6 weeks.    

• Kyle Palmieri  (lower body, 3 games missed) is on I.R. retroactive to October 22, 2017.

Games Lost to Injury/Illness: 42

RED OCTOBER

The Devils closed-out the month of October with an 8-2-0 record.  They are currently ranked first in the Metropolitan Division and are second in the Eastern Conference.

ROAD WARRIORS

The Devils are 5-0-0 away from the Prudential Center to start the season, and are the only team that has earned all possible points on the road.  This is the club's best start since 2009-10, when they started 9-0-0 on the road.

BUNCHES OF GOALS

Nico Hischier  scored the first two goals of his NHL career, Oct. 19 at OTT.  At 18 yrs, 288 days old he is the youngest Devils' player to score a goal since  Craig Wolanin  did so vs. the North Stars on Dec 9, 1985 (18y-135d). He is the fifth-youngest in franchise history.

JOHNNY ROCKET

John Moore  scored the game-winning goal in overtime on Oct. 19 at OTT.  He now has five OT game-winners with New Jersey, which is the most by any NHL defenseman since 3-on-3 overtime was implemented in the 2015-16 season. He ranks second in OT goals by a defenseman in franchise history behind Hall-of-Famer  Scott Niedermayer  (8, 1991-2004).

THAT'S OFFENSIVE

After 11 games, the Devils have a total of 40 goals, which ranks ninth-best* in the NHL (tie; CHI, FLA).  All teams with more goalsscored than NJ have played at least one more game.  In 2016-17, the club had scored just 26 goals after the first 11 contests.

*As of Nov. 2

CHILD'S PLAY

Defenseman  Will Butcher  leads all  NHL rookies with 11 assists and is ranked second* (tie, M. Sergachev - TB) in points. Seven of his 11 helpers have been on the power play.  

*As of Nov. 2

On Oct. 14 at NYR, Butcher set an NHL record, becoming the first rookie defenseman in NHL history to have at least eight assists in his first five career games.

On Oct. 19 at OTT,  Nico Hischier  scored the first two goals of his career and notched an assist for his first three-point night. Hischier has (2G-5A-7PTS) through his first 11 career games.

Jesper Bratt  scored the game-deciding goal in the shootout, Oct. 27 vs. OTT, in his first career shootout attempt and notched the game-winner with 4:23 remaining in regulation that next evening against Arizona.

ACTING LIKE A BRATT

Rookie forward  Jesper Bratt, New Jersey's sixth-round pick in 2016, set a  new franchise record  for the most points in the first two games of his NHL career with 3G-2A-5PTS. In addition, he is one of only five NHL players in the last 17 seasons to record five points through his first two games.

• Others were: Radim Vrbata (2001-02), Brent Seabrook (2005-06), Anze Kopitar (2006-07), Vladimir Tarasenko (2012-13) 

*credit NHL PR

GETTING GIBBY WITH IT

On Oct. 11 at Toronto,  Brian Gibbons  scored the first three-on-five shorthanded goal in franchise history. He has two 5G-2A-7PTS over his first 11 games as a Devil. In 66 NHL games between Columbus and Pittsburgh, he had 5 total goals and 17 assists for 22PTS.

Gibbons also scored a shorthanded goal, on a penalty shot, on Oct. 28 vs. ARI. He ranks first in the NHL (tie, E. Kane / A. Barkov) with two shorthanded goals this season.

A BUTCHER'ED PERFORMANCE

Defenseman Will Butcher set a new franchise record for the most points in a Devils' debut. The 22-year-old blueliner made his NHL/Devils debut on Oct. 7 vs. Colorado and recorded three assists (3PTS). Butcher signed a two-year, entry-level contract with New Jersey on August 27 after spending four seasons playing collegiate hockey at University of Denver (NCHC). He was the 2017 Hobey Baker Award winner as college hockey's best player.  He captained Denver to the 2017 NCAA Championship.