In an NHL thrilling game, the New Jersey Devils secured a crucial 3-2 shootout victory over the Minnesota Wild, fueled by an outstanding performance from Luke Hughes, who recorded a goal and an assist. Jacob Markstrom made 27 crucial saves for the Devils, who completed a sweep of their back-to-back series against the Wild, following a 5-2 win in Minnesota on Saturday.
“It was obviously good to get our two points, and I thought we played a really good 65 minutes,” Hughes said, according to NHL.com, highlighting the team’s consistency and effort. With this victory, the Devils remain in the hunt for a playoff spot in the Metropolitan Division, sitting seven points behind the Carolina Hurricanes, who have three games in hand.
Filip Gustavsson made 26 saves for the Wild, who have now lost three of their last four games (1-2-1). Despite the setback, Minnesota remains in contention for a Western Conference wild-card spot, holding a one-point lead over the St. Louis Blues.
Hughes, Hischier lead Devils’ offense
Hughes opened the scoring for the Devils at 12:30 of the first period with a powerful wrist shot from the left circle. “We got back-to-back wins against a really good team, so it definitely helps our confidence with the way we can play,” Hughes said. “We just have to keep going as a team and hopefully clinch a playoff berth soon.”
Vinnie Hinostroza tied the game at 1-1 for the Wild when he deflected a shot from Jake Middleton at 2:57 of the third period. Seconds later, Gustavsson made a crucial save to deny Brett Pesce, a call that was confirmed after video review.
Nico Hischier restored the Devils’ lead at 9:12 of the third period, redirecting a shot from the left post. This marked his fourth goal in the last two games, underlining his hot streak. However, Matt Boldy responded for the Wild, tying the game at 2-2 with a backhand goal at 17:52 as he fell to his knees.
Paul Cotter thought he had secured the win for the Devils in overtime, but his goal was overturned after a video review confirmed an offside. “I think it’s part of the game; goals get called back all the time,” Hughes said. “I think we did a really good job of coming back together and just not getting too high or too low—just staying cool.“
What’s next for the Devils?
The Devils’ victory, fueled by standout performances from Hughes and Hischier, provides a crucial boost in their playoff push. Their ability to stay composed despite adversity highlights the NHL team’s resilience. Markstrom’s strong goaltending and the Devils’ efficiency in the shootout were key factors in securing the win.