Thrilling Overtime Victory
In a thrilling overtime finish at the Prudential Center, the New Jersey Devils secured a 4-3 victory against the Montreal Canadiens on Thursday night, thanks to a decisive breakaway goal by Jesper Bratt just 1:33 into the extra period. This win marked the Devils’ second victory in their last five outings following a remarkable stretch of eight consecutive wins earlier this season.
Key Contributions
The game saw contributions from several players, with Ondrej Palat and Timo Meier both scoring, along with Cody Glass, who made a successful return after missing several games due to injury. Jacob Markstrom, the Devils’ goalie, faced 19 shots, making 16 saves to help his team clinch the win.
For the Canadiens, Kirby Dach, Jake Evans, and Oliver Kapanen found the back of the net, while defenseman Noah Dobson provided two assists. In net, Jakub Dobes made 24 saves but could not prevent their second consecutive loss, breaking a four-game point streak that had previously seen the team go 3-0-1.
Game Highlights
The intensity ramped up in the closing minutes, with Meier managing to level the score for New Jersey with just 1:10 left in regulation time, capitalizing on a chaotic play around the net after Markstrom had been pulled for an extra attacker. Earlier in the game, Kapanen had given Montreal a lead, scoring from in front of the net on a rebound with 9:27 still to play in the third period.
Evans tied the game at two-all shortly after the start of the third period with a shot that found its way past a pad-less Markstrom. Prior to that, Palat had given the Devils a brief 2-1 edge, scoring his first goal of the season at 8:05 of the second period after a rebound set up by Simon Nemec.
Adding to the drama, Dougie Hamilton of the Devils exited the game early in the second period and did not return. Glass, making his comeback after a seven-game absence, had initially put New Jersey ahead 1-0 with a goal less than two minutes into the match. Dach, who had scored twice in a previous game against Philadelphia, was instrumental in bringing Montreal back into contention with a goal at 2:59.
Looking Ahead
Looking ahead, the Canadiens will be preparing to take on Utah in their next match on Saturday, kicking off a four-game homestand, while the Devils will face off against Pittsburgh on the same day, looking to continue their home success.
Overall, this dramatic contest showcased the resilience of both teams, highlighted by Bratt’s game-winning play and a notable performance from Glass, reflecting the ongoing battles facing NHL teams as the season progresses.
