NEWARK, N.J. — An intense playoff match unfolded as Simon Nemec clinched victory for the New Jersey Devils with a decisive goal 2:36 into the second overtime. The Devils triumphed 3-2 over the Carolina Hurricanes on Friday night, marking Game 3 of the first-round playoff series.
In regular time, New Jersey’s Nico Hischier and Dawson Mercer found the back of the net, while Jacob Markstrom was sturdy with 25 saves. This win allowed the Devils to reduce their series deficit to 2-1, having succumbed to defeats in the last two away games.
Carolina saw contributions from Seth Jarvis and Sebastian Aho, with Frederik Andersen securing 34 saves. The teams are poised to meet again for Game 4 on Sunday at the Prudential Center, with Game 5 scheduled for Tuesday night back in Raleigh, North Carolina.
Nemec’s game-winner emerged from an impressive move; he skated up the right side, deftly maneuvered around in the circle, and sent the puck sailing past Andersen. Both squads had their share of scoring opportunities in the first overtime, with the goaltenders delivering key saves when needed. The Devils did gain a slight edge with two power plays, boasting an 8-2 lead in shots during that period.
Earlier, Mercer elevated New Jersey to a 2-0 lead just over a minute into the third period. After a valiant pad save by Andersen on Jesper Bratt’s effort, Mercer seized the opportunity when Andersen was out of position. Though his first attempt to score was botched, the puck ricocheted off Andersen’s stick and tumbled into the net.
Carolina retaliated when Jarvis netted a power-play goal at 6:11, followed by Aho leveling the score with another power-play strike with 7:40 left. A crucial play saw Markstrom rushing to block Andrei Svechnikov’s shot, only for Svechnikov to recover and assist Aho in the perfect setup.
In the waning seconds of regulation, Markstrom exhibited prowess by expertly thwarting a shot from Jesperi Kotkaniemi, thus maintaining the deadlock. The Devils welcomed back defenseman Jonas Siegenthaler, missing since February 4, but were still without Luke Hughes and Brenden Dillon. The team also faced an additional setback when Johnathan Kovacevic didn’t return following the first intermission.
The Devils commanded the initial stages of the game, managing the first five shots before the Hurricanes could muster a response, which occurred over nine minutes in. Markstrom diffused Logan Stankoven’s attempt right before a power play concluded.
Timo Meier’s pass set Hischier in motion toward the net, where he lost control of the puck. Yet, luck favored the Devils as it slid into the goal, granting a 1-0 lead in the first period. Hischier’s tally was New Jersey’s third in the series and his second. The Devils almost extended their advantage in a second-period stir in front of Andersen’s territory, only to be denied by a remarkable glove save on Meier’s shot.