NEWARK, N.J. (Interstat) — The Vancouver Canucks built an early lead and goaltender Thatcher Demko made it stand in a 2-1 victory over the New Jersey Devils on Sunday at Prudential Center. Vancouver struck twice in the first period. Jake DeBrusk opened the scoring just 61 seconds in, and defenseman Zeev Buium added another at 6:48. Conor Garland assisted on both goals for the Canucks. New Jersey’s Luke Hughes cut the deficit with a second-period goal, but Demko stopped the other 25 shots he faced. The Devils’ Jacob Markstrom made 13 saves on 15 shots. The win improved Vancouver’s record to 12-20. New Jersey fell to 18-15. Attendance was 13,821.

NEWARK, N.J. (Interstat) — Thatcher Demko turned aside 25 shots and the Vancouver Canucks built an early two-goal lead before holding off a relentless New Jersey Devils attack for a 2-1 victory on Sunday afternoon at Prudential Center. The Canucks, who entered the game with the second-fewest wins in the NHL, snapped a two-game skid and improved to 12-20. The Devils, coming off a win over Anaheim on Saturday, fell to 18-15. Vancouver struck quickly, capitalizing on a power play just 1:01 into the first period. With Dougie Hamilton in the box for slashing, Jake DeBrusk collected a pass from Conor Garland and snapped a wrist shot from the high slot past New Jersey goaltender Jacob Markstrom for his ninth goal of the season. Rookie defenseman Zeev Buium also assisted. Buium, a 19-year-old from San Diego, then doubled the lead at 6:48 of the opening period. After taking a cross-ice feed from Garland, Buium walked in from the left point and fired a wrist shot that beat Markstrom cleanly for his fourth goal. Demko was credited with a secondary assist, his first point of the season. “We came out with the right mindset,” said Canucks coach. “Getting that early power-play goal was huge for our confidence, and Zeev made a great play on the second one. After that, it was about buckling down and defending.” The Devils, who outshot Vancouver 26-15, dominated possession for long stretches but could not solve Demko until the second period. At the 8:02 mark, defenseman Luke Hughes took a pass from Jesper Bratt, skated into the right circle and wired a wrist shot over Demko’s shoulder for his third goal of the year. Dawson Mercer earned the secondary assist. From there, the game became a goaltending duel. Demko, a San Diego native, was particularly sharp in the third period as the Devils pressed for the equalizer. He made key saves on Bratt, Nico Hischier and Connor Brown in the final frame, including a point-blank stop on Brown with under 30 seconds remaining. Markstrom, facing his former team, made 13 saves but received little offensive support. The Devils failed to convert on three power-play opportunities, including one early in the third period after Vancouver’s Tyler Myers was called for interference. “We had our chances, especially in the third,” said Devils captain Nico Hischier, who had two shots on goal. “Their goalie played really well. We have to find a way to bear down and get those second and third opportunities.” The game was a physical affair, with Vancouver credited with 21 hits to New Jersey’s 18. The Canucks’ penalty kill, which entered the afternoon ranked in the bottom third of the league, was a perfect 3-for-3. The result defied pregame projections. National Statistical’s game simulator had predicted a 2-1 Devils victory, and its ELO system gave New Jersey a 58% probability to win. The Devils had been installed as a 1.5-goal favorite, and the total of three goals went well under the over/under line of 5.5. For Vancouver, the win provided a rare bright spot in a difficult season and a positive start to a five-game road trip. Garland finished with two assists, while Buium’s goal and assist marked a standout performance for the young defenseman. New Jersey, which had won four of its last six, will look to rebound as it begins a three-game Western road trip in Vegas on Wednesday. The Devils held a 13-4 advantage in shots in the third period but could not find the tying goal. “It’s frustrating,” said Hughes, who led all players with five shots on goal. “We controlled play for most of the afternoon, but we made a couple of mistakes early and they made us pay. We have to learn from this and be better at the start of games.” Attendance at Prudential Center was 13,821. Vancouver continues its road trip Tuesday against the New York Rangers. New Jersey travels to face the Vegas Golden Knights on Wednesday.

NEWARK, N.J. (Interstat) — The struggling Vancouver Canucks aim to halt a five-game skid when they visit the New Jersey Devils at Prudential Center on Sunday. Vancouver (11-20-0) arrives after a 3-2 home loss to Buffalo on Thursday, its ninth defeat in the last 11 games. The Canucks’ offense has sputtered, scoring two or fewer goals in seven of those 11 contests. Forward Arshdeep Bains, a player to watch, has shown flashes with a goal and an assist over his last four games. New Jersey (18-14-0) enters with momentum after a 4-1 victory over Anaheim on Saturday. The win snapped a two-game losing streak and improved the Devils’ record at home to 10-6-0. Winger Jesper Bratt remains a central offensive catalyst, registering a point in three of his last four games, including an assist in Saturday’s win. The matchup pits one of the league’s coldest teams against one finding its footing. Vancouver’s recent road trip was particularly dismal, featuring losses in Colorado, Los Angeles and San Jose before returning home for more defeats. New Jersey has been inconsistent but potent at times, as evidenced by a 5-0 road win in Buffalo last week. According to National Statistical’s game simulator, the Devils are projected for a 2-1 victory. The prediction aligns with recent form; New Jersey goaltender Jake Allen is coming off a 30-save performance, while Vancouver has been held to one goal in three of its last five games. For Vancouver, secondary scoring behind Bains will be critical. Center Max Sasson, who scored against Buffalo, and winger Jake DeBrusk will need to contribute. New Jersey will look to Bratt and center Cody Glass, who scored Saturday, to drive the offense. This game opens a four-game Eastern road swing for the Canucks, who visit the New York Rangers on Tuesday. The Devils begin a three-game Western trip in Vegas on Wednesday. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. EST at Prudential Center.