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Devils Defeat Lightning 3-2 In Overtime

They say that what doesn’t kill you only makes you stronger. While it’s obvious that German Philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche wasn’t thinking about hockey when he coined that phrase in 1888, you can still apply it to today’s NHL.

Saturday night, in their first game at Prudential Center since December 27, 2024, the New Jersey Devils hosted the Tampa Bay Lightning in a potential playoff preview. (We say potential because both are currently trending toward making the playoffs and seeding is still a long way away). The result of the game was a 3-2 overtime victory for the Devils that served as a “get right” game after going 1-4-1 during their six-game road trip. Jacob Markstrom made 23 saves, several of the spectacular variety, Ondrej Palat and Jack Hughes each scored a goal in regulation and Stefan Noesen won the game with his overtime power-play marker.

Saturday morning, prior to their game against Tampa, Devils’ defenseman Brenden Dillon told New Jersey’s Team Reporter Amanda Stein, “You can see the true colors (of the team).” Dillon then continued, “We’ve still been positive in here.” 

When a team hits a rough stretch the adversity of losing can do one of two things. It can cause the team to crumple from within or it can galvanize the team, bring it together and be a jumping-off point for something truly special. 

“It was really nice to come back home and play,” Jack Hughes explained. “I think we’re here a little bit over the next few weeks, so I’m definitely excited.”

Everyone knows the Devils need secondary scoring. The Trade Deadline is just under two months away, so nothing is imminent. But as New Jersey perseveres through the long season, it continues to find ways to adapt; with or without reinforcements. 

“Starting back at home after the new year,” Noesen began. “It’s huge. We needed to win and they kind of dominated us the past two times. So, it’s definitely a good feeling. Take the day tomorrow, practice on Monday and right back at it.” 

Against Tampa Bay, Jacob Markstrom made his 500th career NHL start in net and was opposed by Lightning stalwart Andrei Vasilevskiy. In the end, it was Markstrom who reigned supreme; making 23 saves on 25 shots faced. 

8:10 into the first period Ondrej Palat deflected Dougie Hamilton’s point shot, creating a bouncing puck that bounded past Vasilevskiy to give the Devils a 1-0 lead. However, turnabout is fair play as Victor Hedman used a wicked deflection of his own to tie the game 1:53 later. 

In the middle of the second period, the Devils and Lightning exchanged hooking penalties. First Nathan Bastian went to the box for hooking Nick Perbix at 8:14. Then, Emil Lilleberg hooked Jack Hughes at 10:28. Neither team converted on the power-play. Then, just shy of three minutes after Lilleberg’s penalty expired Hughes wired a shot from the high slot past Vasilevskiy – it may have hit someone or something along the way –  to give the Devils a 2-1 lead. 

With just 4.6 seconds left in the second period, Paul Cotter was called for high-sticking Conor Geekie, which meant the Devils began the third period on the penalty-kill for 1:56. Less than 30 seconds after that penalty expired in the early stages of the third period, Brenden Dillon was sent to the box for high-sticking Mitchell Chaffe. Once more, the Devils killed off the penalty but it was clear they were running out of gas. 

Markstrom picked his teammates up with some timely saves and eventually the game headed to overtime. Then, with 1:44 gone by, Nick Paul tripped Jack Hughes, sending the Devils to a power-play. 

Initially, they started with a traditional setup of three forwards and one defenseman, but after Head Coach Sheldon Keefe called a timeout, they switched to a four-forward setup, sending Noesen out there along with Hughes, Jesper Bratt and Nico Hischier. Hughes danced and dangled before Noesen ended up with the puck in the net-front position. He promptly deposited the puck past Vasilevskiy and New Jersey started off their 2025 home slate with a 3-2 overtime win; thus proving that even though they didn’t get any secondary scoring, they could still win a game. 

“You never know where he (Jack Hughes) is, or where he is going with it,” Noesen quipped. It’s something we’re working on as well. But, he’s so dynamic. He’s so good. He and Bratt (Jesper Bratt) are both such elite skaters and playmakers. There’s a reason why they’re on top of our team.”

In other words, what didn’t kill them did indeed make them stronger.

photo by Drew King.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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