NEWARK, N.J. — Jack Hughes was the star of the night as his overtime goal led the New Jersey Devils to a 2-1 victory against the Boston Bruins at Prudential Center on Wednesday. The win showcased Hughes’s chemistry with teammate Jesper Bratt and highlighted the Devils’ resilience.
Hughes secured the win 2:47 into overtime with a stunning shot into the far corner, over the shoulder of Bruins goalie Jeremy Swayman. The play was set up by Bratt, with Hughes expressing his appreciation for their on-ice partnership.
The Devils dominated the overtime period, outshooting the Bruins 6-0. Hughes, reflecting on his and Bratt’s synergy, likened their combination to “peanut butter and jelly,” emphasizing their effortless teamwork.
Dawson Mercer brought the Devils level at 1-1 early in the third period, showing off his hand-eye coordination by batting in a high rebound from Erik Haula’s shot. Mercer’s goal, his first in five games, was a critical moment in the Devils’ comeback.
Vitek Vanecek was a solid presence in goal for New Jersey, making 23 saves. The Devils’ coach, Lindy Ruff, praised his team’s patience and execution against a strong Bruins side.
On the other end, Swayman put up a valiant effort with 33 saves for the Bruins, earning praise from Boston coach Jim Montgomery for his consistent performance this season. Morgan Geekie scored the lone goal for Boston in the first period, capitalizing on a rebound from James van Riemsdyk’s shot.
The Bruins had been formidable when leading after the first period, with a 13-1-1 record this season, but the Devils’ comeback underscored their tenacity.
David Pastrnak’s breakaway chance in the second period could have changed the game’s complexion, but Vanecek’s save kept the Devils in contention. Hughes commended Vanecek’s performance, especially considering the high-quality chance from Pastrnak.
Hughes, who played almost the entire overtime period, was briefly replaced by Michael McLeod for a face-off but quickly returned to action, eventually scoring the winning goal. Ruff noted Hughes’s endurance and ability to recover quickly, crucial in the intense overtime period.
The victory marked New Jersey’s tenth comeback of the season, leading the NHL in this statistic. Hughes’s sixth overtime goal adds to his reputation as a clutch player for the Devils.
The Bruins, missing key players Pavel Zacha and Charlie McAvoy due to upper-body injuries, still saw a strong performance from Swayman, who has been impressive in recent games.
The Devils’ win, their third in overtime this season, places them alongside the Nashville Predators and Anaheim Ducks as teams undefeated in at least three overtime games. The Bruins will look to regroup and address their injury concerns, while the Devils will aim to build on their momentum from this dramatic victory.
