Andrew Gross

Staff Writer, @AGrossRecord

NEWARK – Blake Coleman grew up a Stars’ fan just outside of Dallas in Plano, Texas. So the 25-year-old rookie was thrilled to notch his first NHL goal against his hometown team.

“I’m pretty familiar with a lot of guys in that locker room,” Coleman said after the Devils’ 2-1 overtime loss on Sunday. “So guys like Jamie Benn coming up and saying congrats is special.”

Devils can't build on lead in 2-1 OT loss to Stars

Coleman said he would send the puck for his first goal back to his grandmother, who fostered his love of the sport and bought Stars’ season tickets.

Mostly, though, Coleman was relieved to finally score in his 17th NHL game.

“Yeah, it’s a big weight off my shoulders,” said Coleman, who roofed a shot at 11:02 of the first period. “It’s got to be one of the longest droughts of my career. I hope I follow my past history and once I get one, they start to fall a lot easier.”

Familiar foe

Devils captain Andy Greene played in his 700th NHL game, all with the Devils, the 15th most in team history, and it was a full circle moment for him.

The 34-year-old defenseman made his debut on Jan. 12, 2007 as the Devils hosted the old Atlanta Thrashers. In net that day? Kari Lehtonen, 33, who started for the Stars on Sunday. Greene called that a “weird coincidence.”

“It as at the old Continental,” Greene said of the Devils’ 2-1 win. “I just got called up the day before and was sitting in the locker room. Claude Julien was the coach. He came up and said, ‘Hey, Matt, welcome up here.’ He thought I was Matt Greene for a second. I didn’t say a word. I didn’t correct him. I just sat there. He came back about five minutes later and said, ‘Sorry about that. Obviously, I know who you are.’”

Briefs

C Joseph Blandisi was unable to play because of illness so the Devils dressed 11 forwards and seven defensemen for the second straight game and fourth time this season. …The Devils went without a power play for the first time this season. …The Devils are now 8-0-3 against the Stars on home ice since the 1999-2000 season.