Quenneville thought his team gained momentum after generating plenty of chances, especially on New Jersey’s third penalty early in the second period.

Travis Zajac scored all 3 of New Jersey’s goals with his third knotting the contest at 3-3 with 11:11 to go in the game.

Kruger scored for just the second time in 70 games, while Hjalmarsson’s tally was just his eighth over the last 187 games. Both players scored on wrist shots that sailed over goalie Cory Schneider’s right shoulder.

“Their reliability and effectiveness defensively is as good as any player in the league,” Quenneville said. “When they get some offense it really helps our team game.”

Anisimov scored at 12:25 of the second period and just 1:42 after Zajac potted his second goal to give New Jersey a 2-1 lead. Hjalmarsson’s goal came exactly six minutes after Anisimov’s.

The Hawks appeared to take a 4-2 lead 1:27 into the second period when Brian Campbell knocked a loose puck into the net, but officials ruled goaltender interference on Richard Panik.

The Hawks now own a 12-game point streak (10-0-2) at the UC. According to Elias, that ties the Hawks’ longest such streak since Jan. 22-March 6, 2013, when they went 11-0-1.

jdietz@dailyherald.com