Devils Rally Past Predators in OT After Early Exit from Jack Hughes
The Devils lost their star center early, but they didn’t lose their fight.
Despite Jack Hughes exiting just minutes into the first period with a lower-body injury, New Jersey dug deep and pulled out a gutsy 3-2 overtime win over the Nashville Predators at Prudential Center on Thursday night. It wasn’t pretty, and it certainly wasn’t easy, but it was a win that showed this team’s resilience when tested.
Head coach Sheldon Keefe offered a postgame update on Hughes, saying, “He tweaked something in the game. We don’t believe it’s a serious thing at this point.” His status for the upcoming trip to Ottawa remains uncertain, with a decision expected on Friday.
Without Hughes, the Devils were forced to play most of the night down a center and short on structure. But they found a way-thanks to timely goals, relentless forechecking, and a little overtime magic from their captain.
Hischier Seals It in Overtime
Just 42 seconds into the extra frame, Nico Hischier called his own number and delivered. With open ice in front of him down the left wing, Hischier uncorked a heavy slap shot that beat Predators goalie Justus Annunen high to the glove side. Game over.
“I took my chance,” Hischier said postgame. “It was a risky shot, but I saw the D wasn't gapping up on me so I took the chance.
Luckily it went in. If it didn't I don't think the coach would have been happy at all.”
Risky? Maybe. But in that moment, it was the right call-and it capped off a comeback effort that was all about seizing opportunity.
Bratt’s Breakaway Evens Things Up
Before Hischier could play the hero, Jesper Bratt had to get the Devils to overtime. Midway through the third period, with New Jersey trailing 2-1, Bratt found himself all alone behind the Predators defense thanks to a heads-up play from Dawson Mercer.
As Cole Smith tried to carry the puck out of Nashville’s zone, Mercer applied pressure, forced a turnover, and the puck popped loose to Bratt. The winger didn’t waste the gift. He glided in on Annunen, took his time, and waited out the goalie before lifting the puck over him for the equalizer.
"(Mercer) doesn't give up on the puck at all," Bratt said. "He does everything to win that puck back and the puck bounces out perfectly for me. I tried to read the goalie and see what's going on… Since I didn't have a lot of speed I managed to get it upstairs."
That patience paid off in a big way. Bratt’s ability to slow the game down and finish under pressure was a reminder of just how dangerous he can be when given space.
Mercer’s Fingerprints All Over the Win
Mercer didn’t just set up the game-tying goal-he also sparked the overtime winner. With Filip Forsberg trying to thread a cross-ice pass from below the Devils goal line, Mercer read the play perfectly, intercepted the puck, and quickly transitioned it up to Hischier. Seconds later, the puck was in the back of the net.
It’s the kind of all-around effort that doesn’t always show up on the scoresheet but makes all the difference in a tight game.
Hamilton Keeps Streak Alive
Dougie Hamilton continued his productive stretch with a second-period tally that tied the game at 1-1. The play started with Arseny Gritsyuk leading a rush out of the Devils zone. Lenni Hameenaho found Hamilton sneaking down the right side, and the veteran defenseman did the rest-firing a shot upstairs over Annunen’s glove.
That goal extended Hamilton’s point streak to nine straight games. He’s now recorded at least a point in each of his last 10 appearances, totaling 11 points (2 goals, 9 assists) over that span. Not bad for a guy who was a healthy scratch not too long ago.
Markstrom Holds It Down in Net
Goaltender Jacob Markstrom had one of his stronger outings of the season, turning aside 27 of 29 shots. He was particularly sharp in the second period, where he made a highlight-reel save on Steven Stamkos during a penalty kill.
After biting on a fake, Markstrom had to recover quickly and still managed to get a glove on the shot. It was a momentum-saver in a game that demanded every ounce of focus.
Tsyplakov Debuts in Tough Circumstances
Newly acquired forward Maxim Tsyplakov made his Devils debut, but it came under less-than-ideal circumstances. With Hughes out and the lines constantly being shuffled, Tsyplakov saw just 8:18 of ice time. Still, the big-bodied forward made his presence felt physically, registering five hits.
“Tough night for him,” Keefe said. “I liked some things in the first period.
He was involved and trying to be physical. Once we lost Jack it was a mishmash back there… He didn't get nearly the opportunity I was hoping to give him here today.
But the circumstances, once we lost Jack, I had to move some things around.”
Keefe eventually shortened the bench to nine forwards in the third period, opting to lean on his most trusted skaters to close out the game.
What’s Next
The Devils now head to Ottawa to take on the Senators Saturday night in their final road game before the Olympic break. Puck drops at 7:08 p.m. ET, with coverage on MSG and the Devils Hockey Network.
With Hughes’ status up in the air and just three games left before the pause, the Devils will be looking to build on this gritty win and keep momentum rolling-no matter who’s in the lineup.