The New Jersey Devils captured a come-from-behind overtime victory over the Nashville Predators Thursday. Nico Hischier scored the game-winner and the Devils improved to 28-24-2 on the season.
Game Recap
First Period
This game started off the opposite of how the Devils wanted. In the opening minutes, Jonathan Marchessault scored the game’s first goal off a wrap around. He corralled the puck behind the net right to the goal mouth area and slid the puck past Jacob Markström.
After, the Devils took to the attack and continued to control the pace of the period, but could not bury the tying goal. The Devils would suffer another tough loss down the middle, with Jack Hughes heading down the tunnel. He did return briefly before exiting the game for good. After the contest, head coach Sheldon Keefe seemed to indicate his ailment is not serious.
The period was played entirely at five-on-five. The Devils held the edge in shot attempts (23-18) and shots on goal 13-7. When it came to the quality of their chances, the Devils controlled the expected goals share 1.14-0.68.
The line of Nico Hischier, Jesper Bratt, and Timo Meier generated a high-danger chance right in the slot, but the Devils got robbed once more. Finally, their relentless effort paid off as they tied the game, thanks to Dougie Hamilton extending his point streak. With Arseny Gritsyuk entering the zone, he fed a pass over to Lenni Hämeenaho who found the goal-scorer Hamilton.
Second Period
The Predators would get key opportunities, but the Devils defense came up large. Hischier saved a goal while the Predators had the power play to help keep things tied at one. That type of back checking and defensive prowess kept the Predators from generating much of quality chances. That’s how things headed into the third period, tied at one.
This period was more evenly played. Shot attempts were even at 23 each, but the Devils held the edge in shots on goal 12-8. It was a more high event period from both teams, with the Devils holding the edge in expected goals 1.29-1.15.
Third Period
The third period began exactly how the first period did. After a failed clearing attempt by Hamilton, the Predators maintained possession and a pass by Adam Wilsby found the stick of Filip Forsberg who squeaked one by Jacob Markström to make it 2-1.
Dawson Mercer got the best chance of the period for the Devils, but it hit the cross bar. What a breath of fresh air that would’ve been. The Devils did get a power play, but failed to convert. However, Jesper Bratt finally tied the game and in filthy fashion.
Skating in alone on a mini breakaway after the turnover, Bratt put on multiple dekes and with great patience waited for Nashville goalie, Justus Annenn, to go down and he roofed a shot to tie the game at two. It was a battle for the rest of the period, with each team getting a power play. With great kills and good defense, the teams earned at least one point and headed to overtime.
Overtime
The Devils grabbed the win in overtime. On their first possession, Hischier ripped a slap shot top shelf to give the Devils a huge victory.
Wrap Up
The Devils suffered another big blow, losing Jack Hughes for the entirety of the game. Though, despite that, It was a back and forth effort with the Devils crawling back after trailing each time. Dougie Hamilton extended his point streak to nine games (one goal) and Jesper Bratt scored his 13th of the year.
Nico Hischier scored in overtime, giving the Devils a 7-2 record in the three on three overtime. It’s his eighth overtime goal of his career.
Game Notes
- Nico Hischier had a strong game for the Devils. Aside from the game winning goal, Hischier led the team in shots on goal (seven), while also having a 66.2 xGF% and a 53.7 CF%.
- Dougie Hamilton continues to make an impact on the game. He extended his point streak and also the on-ice impacts were the best at five-on-five. Hamilton led in CF% at 59.00 and xGF% at 63.90. He’s been everything you could ask for with Luke Hughes out injured.
- Jacob Markström had a nice bounce back. The veteran goaltender posted a 0.931 save percentage and stopped 1.10 goals above expected.
What’s Next
The Devils will travel to Ottawa to take on the Senators Saturday night.