Nico Hischier saved the New Jersey Devils‘ night on Thursday. Hosting the Nashville Predators, the Devils overcame the loss of their superstar forward when the Devils captain propelled New Jersey to a 3-2 victory in overtime.
The Devils were quick on the attack to open the first, but in true New Jersey fashion, they forked over the first lead.
Jonathan Marchessault attempted a wraparound on Jacob Markstrom. When the initial shot didn’t fall, Michael McCarron deposited the rebound to give Nashville a 1-0 lead.
Shortly after, Jack Hughes suffered an unknown injury and left for New Jersey’s locker room.
After several minutes, he returned and took one 56-second shift before leaving again for the locker room.
The Devils superstar did not return in the second period, and his night was over.
Dougie Hamilton, however, restored life in the Devils’ fanbase, tying the game at the 10:01 mark of the second period, joining the rush late and receiving a pass from Lenni Hämeenaho.
The Devils and Predators went into the second intermission tied at one while New Jersey held a 26-20 shot advantage.
Yet, just 1:34 into the third period, the Predators regained their lead.
Nashville made New Jersey pay after Hamilton’s failed clearing attempt was stopped at the Devils’ blue line. Adam Wilsby found Filip Forsberg at the left circle and connected on a pass for a one-timer that beat Markstrom to give the Predators a 2-1 lead.
The Devils kept the Predators close, however, and found a way back into the game. Dawson Mercer forced a turnover at Nashville’s blue line. He forced the puck toward the Nashville crease to Jesper Bratt, and he beat a sprawling Justus Annunen to tie the game 2-2.
Regulation wasn’t enough to decide this one, sending the Devils and Predators to overtime.
After the Predators owned the puck in the first 30 seconds, the Devils recovered the rubber, and Hischier skated the puck to the Nashville zone.
He wound up for a slapshot and rifled the puck by Annunen for the overtime winner.
Markstrom earned his 15th win of the season making 27 saves on 29 shots.
