Devils Fall to Flyers, But Simon Nemec and Jesper Bratt Keep Making History
The New Jersey Devils came into Saturday night riding high off a dominant win over the Buffalo Sabres. But less than 24 hours later, they ran into a wall-literally and figuratively-in Philadelphia. The Flyers handed the Devils their first regulation loss in a 5-3 decision, and while the scoreboard stung, there were still some major storylines worth spotlighting from the weekend.
Let’s break down the key takeaways from the Devils’ latest back-to-back and what they mean moving forward.
1. Dan Vladar Slams the Door Shut
The Devils had their chances-plenty of them. But Flyers goaltender Dan Vladar wasn’t having it. He turned aside 29 of the 32 shots New Jersey fired his way, standing tall during a relentless third-period push that included two Devils power plays.
New Jersey had five man-advantage opportunities overall, but came up empty on every single one. That’s a tough pill to swallow for a team that’s been building offensive momentum. Even after pulling Jacob Markstrom late in the third, the Devils couldn’t find the back of the net when it mattered most.
Speaking of Markstrom, he stopped 26 of 31 shots. Not a terrible outing, but when the guy at the other end is locked in like Vladar was, the margin for error gets razor-thin.
2. Simon Nemec’s Record-Breaking Rookie Run Rolls On
Simon Nemec is doing things most defensemen only dream of-and he’s doing them at 21 years old.
With his goal on Saturday, Nemec became just the fifth defenseman in Devils franchise history (including the Rockies and Scouts eras) to score six goals in a single month. The last time a New Jersey blueliner pulled that off? Tom Kurvers, all the way back in December 1988.
That’s not the only history Nemec is chasing. His first career hat trick came just a few weeks ago, on November 12, and he didn’t just complete it-he capped it with an overtime winner. That made him the youngest defenseman in NHL history to finish a regular-season hat trick with an OT goal.
This isn’t just a hot streak-it’s the beginning of what’s shaping up to be a breakout season for a young star who’s quickly becoming one of the most exciting players on the Devils’ roster.
3. Jesper Bratt Climbs the Franchise Leaderboard
Jesper Bratt continues to be the engine behind the Devils’ offense-and now he’s making his mark in the record books, too.
With two assists on Saturday night-one on Nemec’s first-period goal and another on Timo Meier’s tally late in the second-Bratt moved past Neal Broten in all-time points for the franchise. That puts him at 471 points in his nine-year career.
Not bad for a sixth-round pick.
This season alone, Bratt has 19 assists through 25 games. He’s been a consistent playmaker, and his chemistry with the Devils’ top scorers continues to be a major reason why this team remains dangerous, even in defeat.
4. A Night Bigger Than Hockey
While the game itself didn’t go New Jersey’s way, Saturday night was about more than just wins and losses.
The Devils hosted their annual Hockey Fights Cancer night at the Prudential Center, honoring those who’ve battled cancer with a heartfelt tribute. One of the most touching moments came when 7-year-old Trevor Bobev, who has been courageously fighting Burkitt’s Lymphoma for four years, dropped the ceremonial puck.
Trevor spent time with the team during the week, attended practice, and got the kind of behind-the-scenes experience most kids only dream about. The Devils used their platform to shine a light on stories like Trevor’s, reminding everyone that hockey can be a powerful force for good-win or lose.
5. What’s Next?
The Devils will look to bounce back on Monday when they take on the Columbus Blue Jackets. With Nemec on a tear, Bratt climbing the record books, and the team continuing to generate chances, there’s no reason to hit the panic button after one tough night.
But if they want to stay in the hunt, capitalizing on power plays and tightening up defensively will need to be a priority-especially with a busy stretch of games ahead.
One thing’s for sure: this team has the talent to respond. Now it’s about execution.