Two days after finding a way to pull out a win in overtime, the New Jersey Devils continued their winning ways at The Rock. In an early matinee this afternoon, they needed a shootout to prevail 2-1 over the Pittsburgh Penguins before another capacity crowd in Newark.

Paul Cotter and Jesper Bratt each scored in the first two rounds. Jake Allen stopped two shooters, including Sidney Crosby to keep the Devils’ hot home start alive. Now a perfect 7-0-0 to start the season, they can match the franchise record that was set in 1987-88 on Monday when they host the New York Islanders. If they get it done, eight would be great before they embark on a five-game road trip that begins next Wednesday at the Chicago Blackhawks.

The biggest reason for the victory was Allen, who was strong in net finishing with 33 saves on 34 shots to earn the game’s first star. That ran his record to 6-2-0 in nine starts this season. More often than not, it’s been the steady play of the 35-year-old backup that’s helped the Devils get off to an 11-4-0 start. In nine games, he has a 2.29 goals-against-average and .914 save percentage. When he allows two goals or fewer, the Devils are a perfect 5-0-0. They’re winning most of his starts due to the former St. Louis Blues starter performing well.

Without him, the Devils would’ve lost the game in regulation. Facing a surprisingly good opponent, they were under siege for over half the contest. Despite getting pinned in by an relentless Pens forecheck, they counted on Allen to make the big saves. He was perfect in the first period stopping all 12 shots.

Even though they were outplayed for most of the period, the Devils grabbed a 1-0 lead with under a minute left thanks to a great play from Arseny Gritsyuk. The rookie forward pressured Kris Letang enough to force him into a turnover. That led to Gritsyuk beating Arturs Silovs on a breakaway for an unassisted tally at 19:12.

In the second period, the Devils had an early look on the power play. However, they were unable to cash in. The Pens has the best chance. Bryan Rust had his wrap-around attempt go wide.

Back at full strength, Ondrej Palat came close to making it two games in a row with a goal. But his shot hit the crossbar to keep the Devils up by one.

Over halfway through the contest, the Pens were able to get a fortunate bounce that tied the game. On a play Rust started, Crosby fed Ryan Graves for a long slap shot that deflected off Palat past Allen with  7:27 remaining in the period.

Following the goal, the Pens had the Devils on their heels. They created a few opportunities but were denied by Allen. He stopped Connor Dewar, who later in the same shift had a shot hit the goalpost.

On a strong shift, Luke Hughes made a nice move to get around the Pittsburgh defense and got a tough backhand right on Silovs, who made the big stop. The third-year Devils defenseman has yet to score a goal this season. However, he’s been vital due to the injuries on the blue line. He led all skaters in ice time with 29:39 on Saturday. In 170 career games, he has 100 points (17-83-100). The 22-year-old younger brother of Jack Hughes should continue to get better.

With less than a minute left in the second, Jack nearly put the Devils ahead. But his point blank shot was stopped by the quick glove of Silovs. It was the best save of the game.

At the start of the third, the Devils came out fast looking for the go-ahead goal. Silovs made another save on Hughes to keep it tied.

With Stefan Noesen in the box for slashing Graves, the Pens came close. Rookie Ben Kindel just missed on an Evgeni Malkin rebound. Allen then turned aside Crosby.

After the power play expired, Hughes was stopped again by Silovs. Simon Nemec missed wide on another chance.

The Devils went to the power play when Malkin cross-checked Cody Glass. Displeased with the call, he had a few words for Glass before going off. Dawson Mercer was stopped twice by Silovs as the Pens killed it off.

With time running down in regulation, Mercer was denied again to send the game to overtime. It didn’t disappoint.

If you like firewagon hockey, then the three-on-three was your cup of tea. Hughes had an early bid just miss.

On the opposite end, Kindel had a pair of chances to end matters. After Allen made one save on a Kindel shot, he stoned him in tight. He was the Pens best player. A 2025 first round pick taken 11th, Kindel has been a pleasant surprise with five goals and two assists. He definitely belongs.

Despite some more exciting end to end rushes, with Hughes having one last bid denied, the game went to the shootout.

In it, it was a mismatch. In Round 1, Paul Cotter went to a deke to beat Silovs. After Allen stopped Rust, out came Bratt. He made a wicked move to freeze Silovs before tucking in a forehand in the second round. Down to their last chance, the Pens sent out Crosby. He made a good move, going to the backhand. But Allen stuck right with him to kick it out for the win.

Next up are the Islanders on Monday night. That should be fun to follow. The Devils get to face 2025 number one pick Matthew Schaefer. He’s really impressive. The 18-year-old rookie leads all NHL defensemen with five goals.

In their 5-0 shutout over the Rangers, Bo Horvat continued his torrid start with a pair of goals to give him 11 along with seven assists. He’s turned back the clock to how he played with the Canucks. With Mat Barzal rounding into form and Jonathan Drouin doing his part, the Islanders play a higher tempo style. The way the Devils play, that should make for a good game. We’ll see if the Devils can tie the home mark with an eighth straight win.