Markstrom, Devils top Sabres in Global Series opener in Prague

Kovacevic made it 2-0 at 15:38 on a slap shot from the point that deflected off a stick and into the top left corner. The defenseman was acquired in a trade with the Montreal Canadiens on June 30.

"I saw (Jonas) Siegenthaler on the left side, so I started moving to the middle when I got it," Kovacevic said. "Got on my forehand, shot it, and, I hate to say it, I think it tipped off their guy and went in. Doesn't matter."

Keefe was glad to see Kovacevic get rewarded.

"You mean that goal by 'Kovechkin'?" Keefe said, alluding to Alex Ovechkin when asked about wanting production from his defensemen. "For sure, he's one of the guys working really hard and he's taken advantage of this opportunity, and yes, we want the defense to be involved, too."

Markstrom, who was acquired in a trade with the Calgary Flames on June 19, kept it a two-goal game 1:19 later when he denied Nicolas Aube-Kubel with the paddle of his stick while lunging to his right near the left post.

"It was kind of shot from the point going far side and then I slid over far side and it got tipped and went short side and bounced from the boards and it's just desperation," Markstrom said. "I got lucky and it hit my stick. It's a good time to get lucky."