Devils Halonen, Rangers Gavrikov Score First NHL Goals in Key Wins

Brian Halonen scored his first NHL goal in the New Jersey Devils' 4-1 victory over the Los Angeles Kings, marking a milestone in his 12th NHL appearance. The 26-year-old forward, who went undrafted, has been contributing as a fourth-liner and earned a more regular role following an injury to teammate Connor Brown. Dawson Mercer added two short-handed goals, and goalie Jacob Markstrom made 42 saves while celebrating a contract extension, helping the Devils rebound after recent losses. Meanwhile, New York Rangers defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov scored his first goal with the team against the Seattle Kraken, a notable achievement since his signing to a seven-year, $7 million AAV deal. Gavrikov has been a strong defensive presence for the Rangers, pairing well with Adam Fox and contributing offensively with one goal and two assists in 13 games. These developments highlight key player contributions for both the Devils and Rangers early in the season.