Eurolanche

Downed by the Devils

Rookie defenseman Will Butcher became the first player in New Jersey Devils history to score three points in his NHL debut in a 4-1 victory against the Colorado Avalanche at Prudential Center on Saturday.

Butcher had three power-play assists. He signed a two-year, entry-level contract with the Devils on Aug. 27 two weeks after becoming a free agent on Aug. 15 after he didn't sign with the Avalanche, who selected him in the fifth round (No. 123) of the 2013 NHL Draft.

Cory Schneider made 40 saves for the Devils (1-0-0), who got power-play goals from Adam Henrique, Jimmy Hayes and Jesper Bratt, and a shorthanded goal from defenseman John Moore. Butcher, Bratt, and Nico Hischier, the No. 1 pick in the 2017 NHL Draft, each was making his NHL debut. Bratt had two points (one goal, one assist).

Forward Carl Soderberg scored and goaltender Jonathan Bernier made 35 saves for the Avalanche (1-1-0). Henrique gave the Devils a 1-0 lead after deflecting a shot from the point by Butcher on the power play 4:04 into the first period. Hayes made it 2-0 with a power-play goal 2:52 into the second period.

The Avalanche pulled to within 2-1 when Soderberg controlled a rebound in the crease and took a snap shot to beat Schneider inside the right post. Bratt, 19, scored after he took a pass in the right circle from Taylor Hall before sweeping a shot past Bernier for a 3-1 lead.

Bratt, chosen in the sixth round (No. 162) of the 2016 NHL Draft, assisted on Moore's goal at 14:00 for a 4-1 lead. Devils forwards Drew Stafford (lower body) and Kyle Palmieri (lower body) each sustained an injury in the second period and did not return.

-- by Mike G. Morreale for NHL.com --