Jacob Markstrom Leads Devils To First Win Of 2025 With 3-2 Victory Over Kraken

The New Jersey Devils jumped back in the win column against the Seattle Kraken Monday night at Climate Pledge Arena.

The team finally earned a victory after suffering four straight regulation losses on their current road trip, which began on Dec. 28.

Dawson Mercer, Paul Cotter, and Ondrej Palat scored for New Jersey in their 3-2 victory. The Kraken received goals from Adam Larsson and Shane Wright.

New Jersey's goaltender, Jacob Markstrom, was outstanding with 21 saves on 23 shots. He earned the first star of the game honors and his 20th win of the 2024-25 season.

"I think if he's not making those saves, you're not winning that game," Nico Hischier told MSG Networks.

"Unbelievable," Keefe said of his goaltender's performance. "He saved our ass a number of times. [...] That is the kind of effort you need from your best players, and he certainly was ours tonight."

Markstrom's night was highlighted by two saves in the third period to secure the win. The first was with his glove on Eeli Tolvanen, and the other with his stick on Matty Beniers.

"It is not a fun feeling when you lose a few in a row, and I don't want to revisit that feeling. This is the last game of the road trip, and we needed a win; we needed to get back to winning hockey games and stringing wins together," Jacob Markstrom said. "You have got to start somewhere, and today was a big effort for our group."

Markstrom became the second netminder in franchise history, having recorded 20 wins in their first season, with the team joining Vitek Vanecek (33 wins in 2022-23).

Make sure you bookmark THN's New Jersey Devils site for THN's latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more.

Related: Finding The Balance: Devils Forward Shares Perspective on AHL Call-Ups

The Mental Side of the Game: Devils Players & Mental Skills Coach Andy Swärd Take You Behind the Scenes

EXCLUSIVE: Q&A With MSG Networks Host & Analyst Rachel Herzog

Hischier’s Manager Patrick Fischer: 'He’s Driven to Succeed, but Not Easily Satisfied'

Related: Devils Q&A: 4 Random Questions With Stefan Noesen