3 most impressive New Jersey Devils players in 3-2 win over Seattle Kraken feat. Dawson Mercer 

The New Jersey Devils beat the Seattle Kraken 3-2 on Monday night to salvage something from their lengthy road swing. It began in North Carolina, went to California and continued in Seattle before they returned to the east coast. Meanwhile, the Kraken were 2-1-1 in their last five games.

The Devils improved to 25-15-3 with the win, while the Kraken fell to 17-21-3. The scoring was started by New Jersey's Dawson Mercer, who picked up his 10th goal of the season. But the response from the Kraken came minutes later, as Adam Larsson picked up his second goal to make it 1-1.

Neither team found the back of the net until 25 seconds left in the second period when Paul Cotter gave the Devils the lead with his 10th goal of the season. Early in the third period, the Kraken once again drew even, thanks to a power-play tally from Shane Wright, his eighth of the season. But within a minute, Ondrej Palat came through with his ninth goal of the campaign, once again putting the Devils out in front.

Palat's goal proved to be the game-winner, as the Kraken were unable to get the equalizer despite pulling goaltender Philip Grubauer for an extra attacker late in regulation.

Grubauer finished with 26 saves on 29 shots faced in a losing effort, while Jacob Markstrom stopped 21 of 23 shots the Kraken fired at him.

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Three most impressive New Jersey Devils players in 3-2 win over Seattle Kraken

#1 Dawson Mercer

Mercer, who was re-signed by the New Jersey Devils to a multi-year contract extension, has his sights set on getting his personal goal total this season after a career-high of 27 set in 2022-23.

He picked up a rebound of captain Nico Hischier's shot and deposited into the open net past a sprawling Grubauer, giving New Jersey the early advantage.

Not only did he register the game's first goal, but he also picked up an assist, finishing with a +2 rating.

#2 Jacob Markstrom

Upon his acquisition via trade from the Calgary Flames over the offseason, the hope among Devils fans was that they finally had their first legitimate starting goaltender since Hall of Famer Martin Brodeur.

Markstrom delivered again for the New Jersey Devils on Monday night, stopping 21 shots (including four from Seattle's Matty Beniers) for his 20th win of the season.

#3 Ondrej Palat

Signed from the Tampa Bay Lightning to provide the Devils with valuable championship experience, Palat came through when it mattered most for New Jersey with the game-winning goal less than a minute after the Kraken had knotted the score.

The New Jersey Devils are cruising toward a postseason spot, and they will look to Palat not only for his experience but the leadership he could provide, having played a key role in back-to-back Stanley Cup wins for the Tampa Bay Lightning earlier in his career.