Yahoo Sports Devils' Call-Up Shines In Face-Off Circle Against Predators
Since being recalled from the American Hockey League (AHL) and making his New Jersey Devils season debut on Oct. 30, Justin Dowling has averaged eight minutes of ice time.
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He has been relied upon to replace Curtis Lazar, who suffered a lower-body injury against the Anaheim Ducks on Oct. 27, as the fourth-line center.
On Monday night against the Nashville Predators, Dowling scored his first goal of the 2024-25 campaign after he served the penalty for Meier's five-minute major.
"It's never fun being the guy that has to serve the penalty, especially five minutes," head coach Sheldon Keefe said. "It is funny because (Tomas) Tatar wanted to serve it. Tatar and I had a chuckle after Dowling came out of the box and buried it. It is good to see Dowling get rewarded in that way. He has played some good hockey for us."
"It is nice for the guy who was serving the five (minute penalty) to come out and bury one," Erik Haula said. "Good for him."
In addition to securing a 5-2 victory for the Devils, Dowling had a big night in the face-off circle.
After 60 minutes, the veteran center won eight of 10 face-offs, finishing the game with a face-off win percentage of 80%, the most among players who took more than one draw.
Nico Hischier went 11-for-19 (57.9%), Jack Hughes went 5-for-10 (50%), and Erik Haula went five-for-eight (62.5%).
Dowling, 34, has two points (one goal, one assist) and a face-off win percentage of 50% (33 wins, 33 losses) through 12 games with the Devils.
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