NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — Joe Pavelski had two goals and two assists, and the Dallas Stars extended their winning streak to four games with a 5-1 victory over the New Jersey Devils on Tuesday night.
Roope Hintz scored for the fourth straight game and rookie Jacob Peterson got his eighth goal as Dallas swept its four-game road trip. Braden Holtby made 36 saves to improve his career mark against New Jersey to 18-4-3.
Stars defenseman Jani Hakanpaa added an empty-net goal at 17:35 of the third period after taking a pass from Pavelski.
Jesper Bratt scored his fourth goal in the last three games for New Jersey, which is 1-5 in its last six.
Devils top goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood was placed on injured reserve earlier in the day with a heel injury and rookie Akira Schmid got the start after being recalled from Utica (AHL).
Pavelski, who extended his point streak to six games, beat Schmid just 14 seconds after the opening faceoff with the first shot of the game.
Jason Robertson outworked Devils defenseman Jonas Siegenthaler behind the net and found Pavelski between the circles for a quick shot that beat the screened goaltender.
Peterson stretched the lead to 2-0 at 9:45, beating Schmid in close after taking a pass from Alexander Radulov.
Pavelski closed out the three-goal opening period by tipping Miro Heiskanen's shot past Schmid at 16:48 for his 19th goal.
Devils coach Lindy Ruff changed goalies after Schmid gave up three goals on seven shots in the first period. Jon Gillies took over in the second but the move backfired when Hintz scored 15 seconds in for a 4-0 lead.
Bratt spoiled Holtby's bid for his first shutout of the season with his 14th goal off a feed from Jack Hughes. New Jersey has scored a power-play goal in a season-high five straight games.
FOR THE AGES
The 37-year-old Pavelski has five two-goal games this season. He has five career regular-season hat tricks, all with the San Jose Sharks — the last on Feb. 24, 2019, against Detroit. His only postseason hat trick came with the Stars against Calgary on April 16, 2020, in the first round of the playoffs. Pavelski leads the Stars with 48 points, and his season high for a game is five against Seattle.
UP NEXT
Stars: Host the Washington Capitals on Friday in the opener of a six-game homestand. Dallas is 14-4-1 at the American Airlines Center.
Devils: At the Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday to start a three-game road trip. New Jersey is 5-11-2 away from the Prudential Center.
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