Devils slip past Bruins with 3-2 win on Severson goal in shootout

Damon Severson took a ribbing from his teammates as the unlikely shootout star for the New Jersey Devils.

Severson scored in the sixth round Tuesday to give the Devils a 3-2 victory over the Boston Bruins in Newark, N.J.

Severson beat Jaroslav Halak with a backhand and Mackenzie Blackwood clinched the win by stopping Patrice Bergeron.

After the first eight shooters were stopped, Jack Hughes for New Jersey and Chris Wagner of Boston both scored in round 5 to set the stage for the defenseman who was taking only the sixth shootout appearance in a six-year career.

“There were a lot of accusations after the game that I didn't know what I was doing out there," Severson said.

Far from it. By closely watching, Severson saw that Halak was flashing a strong glove in the shootout. It was time for a change of pace.

“I figured if I could make a good fake and go backhand and get it upstairs, I'd have a better chance to score,” Severson said. "Ultimately it went in. That was a big one. It felt good."

It was his second career shootout score, and it lifted the Devils to a second straight win as they rallied from a two-goal deficit.

Blake Coleman and Jesper Bratt scored for New Jersey in regulation and Blackwood stopped 28 shots.

“Everyone competes all the time." Blackwood said. "Whether we get down a goal or two, everyone plays the same way. I think we're really starting to learn how to win, and what it takes to play the right way.

Brad Marchand and Joakim Nordstrom scored for Boston and Halak stopped 42 shots.

The loss snapped the Bruins' winning streak at three but they did extend their points streak to eight games (4-0-4). Boston is winless in six shootouts this season.

“You get a 2-0 lead on the road; typically we've been able to handle those situations well but not tonight,” Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy said. “So we leave with a point but no one is satisfied in there.

“It just looks better tomorrow in the standings.”