PITTSBURGH — Timo Meier scored the decisive goal in the seventh round of a shootout, propelling the New Jersey Devils to a thrilling 3-2 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins on Tuesday night.
Jack Hughes made a significant contribution for the Devils, netting two goals during the match. In goal, Nico Daws demonstrated his prowess by stopping 25 shots in both regulation and overtime, successfully defending against five of seven attempts in the shootout, securing the Devils’ sixth consecutive win in Pittsburgh.
Jesper Bratt was instrumental in Hughes’ success, providing assists on both of his goals and bringing his season total to an impressive 45 points. This victory allowed the Devils to rebound strongly from a previous defeat against the struggling Buffalo team, while also putting a halt to Pittsburgh’s two-game winning streak.
For the Penguins, Rickard Rakell marked his 24th goal of the season, and Kevin Hayes contributed by equalizing the game with just over 12 minutes remaining in the final period. Goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic made 19 saves for Pittsburgh, including crucial stops against Hughes during overtime that extended the game to a shootout.
The Penguins faced concerns when their captain, Sidney Crosby, had to step away from the ice intermittently in the third period after a collision involving New Jersey’s Luke Hughes and Erik Haula. Crosby, who is set to captain Team Canada at the upcoming 4 Nations tournament, skated off with discomfort in his left arm/hand but returned after receiving treatment in the locker room.
Unfortunately for the Devils, they had to manage the game without defenseman Jonas Siegenthaler, who appeared to suffer a lower-body injury early in the first period when he lost control while skating near the boards.
Takeaways from the match highlight the powerful combination of Hughes and Bratt, regarded as one of the league’s top duos, utilizing their playmaking skills to maximize scoring opportunities for New Jersey.
On the other side, the Penguins collected points in three consecutive games, showcasing resilience following their trade of defenseman Marcus Pettersson and forward Drew O’Connor to Vancouver.
A key moment in the game occurred when Dougie Hamilton successfully scored against Nedeljkovic during the fourth round of the shootout, delivering a stylish shot that slipped between the goaltender’s legs, extending the shootout.
Statistically, the Devils demonstrated their defensive strength, improving to an impressive 25-0-2 record when leading after two periods.
Looking ahead, the Devils are set to host the Vegas Golden Knights on Thursday, while the Penguins will travel to face the New York Rangers on Friday.
