Jack Hughes continues to dazzle on the ice, adding three assists to his impressive run since clinching the gold for Team USA at the Olympics. His playmaking prowess was on full display as the New Jersey Devils edged out the Boston Bruins 4-3 in a thrilling overtime finish on Monday night.
Hughes orchestrated Connor Brown’s goal, marking a milestone as the fastest player in Devils history to hit 400 career points. His magic didn’t stop there-he also set up Jesper Bratt and delivered a perfect pass to Paul Cotter, who clinched the game-winner with just 6.2 seconds left in overtime. Hughes now boasts 12 points over 10 games since his return from Milan.
Paul Cotter was a standout, too, scoring early in the third to give New Jersey a 3-2 edge, only for David Pastrnak to level the score shortly after. Pastrnak was in top form, netting two goals, including a spectacular one that tied the game.
However, the Bruins squandered a two-goal lead, missing the chance for consecutive wins for the first time since late January. Pavel Zacha also found the net against his former team, while Joonas Korpisalo faced a barrage, allowing four goals on 34 shots as Boston continued its win-loss pattern post-Olympics.
The Bruins find themselves in a tight race for the playoffs, holding onto the final wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference. With 15 games remaining, Boston is at 81 points, just ahead of Columbus and Ottawa.
Jacob Markstrom delivered a solid performance for the Devils, stopping 19 shots. The game was intense, with both teams racking up 10 penalties, including two fighting majors in the closing minutes of regulation.
Looking ahead, the Bruins are set to face off against division rivals Montreal on Tuesday night, while the Devils hit the road for a five-game stretch starting Wednesday against the New York Rangers.