NEW YORK — Jack Hughes got his second goal of the game at 2:19 of overtime and added two assists to give the New Jersey Devils a 5-4 win over the New York Islanders on Friday night.
New Jersey ended their two-game losing streak as Dougie Hamilton, Tyler Toffoli, and Luke Hughes all found the back of the net. Jesper Bratt contributed three assists, Timo Meier added two, and Akira Schmid secured his first victory of the season by making 27 saves.
“After securing his 100th win with New Jersey, Devils coach Lindy Ruff expressed, ‘I couldn’t help but notice how much that resembled our club. We managed to generate numerous turnovers, inside shots, and plenty of promising chances. Our performance in terms of puck control exhibited greater strength compared to the initial few games.'”
The Islanders ended their two-game winning streak to start the season by defeating their opponents with goals from Brock Nelson and Bo Horvat, who both scored twice. Additionally, Kyle Palmieri contributed with three assists, while Ilya Sorokin made an impressive 33 saves.
During the additional period, Hughes skated around with the puck in the attacking zone, maneuvered towards the center, and unleashed a shot that went around the Islanders’ defenseman Ryan Pulock and found its way past Sorokin on the glove side.
Hughes attributed his overtime goal to a play that had actually commenced 25 seconds prior. He commended his teammates Meier, Dawson Mercer, and John Marino for their excellent puck control, preventing the Islanders from crossing the red line and making substitutions. As a result, the Islanders had fatigued players with poor positioning, while Hughes entered the ice with renewed energy. Observing his opponent’s vulnerable footing, he seized the opportunity and successfully took the shot.
In the last moments of the third period, Horvat managed to equalize the score at 4-4. With just 1:11 left on the clock, the skilled 28-year-old center fearlessly charged towards the net and skillfully put away a loose puck.
Islanders coach Lane Lambert described the situation as amusing because, on one hand, the team is content with earning a point as it demonstrates their resilience and ability to bounce back. However, they also acknowledge that surrendering those goals feels like they may have squandered an opportunity.
At 4:30 of the third period, Jack Hughes granted the Devils a 4-3 lead by scoring New Jersey’s fourth power-play goal of the game. Setting up an excellent opportunity, Ondrej Palat skillfully sent a flawless pass across the crease, allowing Hughes to tap the puck into the net from the far post.
During an eventful six-minute span in the beginning of the second period, both the Devils and Islanders found the back of the net twice.
At 21 seconds into the second period, Toffoli scored a power-play goal, granting the Devils a 2-1 lead.
Just 1 minute and 16 seconds later, Nelson scored his second goal of the game by slipping the puck through Schmid’s legs, equalizing the score at 2-2.
Luke Hughes scored his first goal of the season for the Devils, reclaiming their lead. His powerful slap shot found the top corner of the net, while Devils captain Nico Hischier provided a screen to obstruct Sorokin’s view.
Jack Hughes spoke about his brother Luke’s challenges as a rookie defenseman on a highly skilled team, acknowledging the difficulty of the situation. He emphasized that Luke cannot simply expect to be handed playing time; he must prove himself and earn it. Jack commended Luke for his impressive performance so far and expressed confidence that as the season progresses, Luke will continue to evolve and grow as a player.
At 6:10, during a dynamic second period, Horvat skillfully netted the tying goal, bringing the score to 3-3. Islanders defenseman, Noah Dobson, cleverly feigned a slap shot before brilliantly assisting Horvat with a precise sharp-angled one-timer.
With 7 minutes and 25 seconds remaining in the first period, Nelson initiated the scoring.
With only one minute left on the clock, Hamilton swiftly reacted to Meier’s skillful backhand pass and executed a one-timer from the high slot. The defenseman was left completely unmarked in the slot, thanks to Meier’s clever assist. Schmid also contributed to the play, earning his first NHL point with an assist.
Luke Hughes commented on the power play’s success, stating that there are numerous talented players on the ice, making it possible to utilize anyone. He credited Dougie Hamilton’s powerful shot for initiating their success and emphasized that their proficiency is a result of their ability to execute skillful plays.
After suffering an upper-body injury, Hischier did not come back for the third period and his condition is being evaluated on a day-to-day basis.
STRONG START
Both Jack Hughes and Bratt have made scorching beginnings to the season. Currently, Hughes dominates the NHL leaderboard with 10 points, consisting of four goals and six assists. Meanwhile, Bratt stands tied for second place with eight points, comprising three goals and five assists.
UP NEXT
Devils: Host Montreal on Tuesday night.
Islanders: At Buffalo on Saturday night.
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