Jon Merrill put New Jersey ahead in the third period with his first goal of the season, Cory Schneider made 17 saves and the Devils beat the Minnesota Wild 2-1 Sunday to snap a season-high three-game losing streak.
Adam Henrique scored for New Jersey 1:21 into the third period, but Minnesota’s Zach Parise got his 16th goal less than 2 minutes later. That score was Parise’s first against his former team.
Merrill broke the tie 6:26 into the third and Schneider made 10 saves in the final period.
Darcy Kuemper made 15 saves in his return from a concussion for the Wild, suffering his first regulation loss of the season in 10 games.
Beginning a season-long four-game trip and missing several key players, the Devils got just enough offense against similarly stingy Minnesota. Both teams entered play among the top five in the NHL in fewest goals allowed per game.
