Nico Hischier was the overtime hero on Thursday in Newark, N.J., to help the New Jersey Devils earn the much-needed two points in a 3-2 win over the Nashville Predators.
Hischier came storming down the wing with the puck and blasted a slap shot past Justus Annunen just 42 seconds into overtime to earn the victory for the Devils.
The injury bug continued to affect the Devils as Jack Hughes played just 2:27 before leaving the contest in the opening period with an unspecified injury.
Dougie Hamilton and Jesper Bratt also found the back of the net for New Jersey, and Jacob Markstrom stopped 27 of the 29 shots he faced.
Filip Forsberg and Michael McCarron buried for the Predators, while Annunen made 32 saves.
McCarron broke the ice for the Predators just over five minutes into the contest as he deflected his rebound shot past Markstrom after Jonathan Marchessault’s wraparound opportunity was denied.
Paul Cotter had a chance to knot things up with 13:39 left in the first period, but Annunen got across to shut down his one-timed shot.
Timo Meier had his finest attempt at a goal with 11:28 remaining in the middle frame, but once again Annunen turned aside the sniper’s slot shot.
Hamilton finally solved the Predators’ netminder as he stretched his point streak to 10 games (two goals, 10 assists) with a rocket of a snap shot that pinged off the crossbar and into the back of the net with 9:59 left in the second.
The Predators’ superstars had their chances during their first power-play opportunity of the night later in the middle frame. Both Forsberg and Steven Stamkos were denied thanks to a pair of solid saves from Markstrom.
Forsberg gave Nashville the 2-1 lead 1:34 into the third as he took a pass from Adam Wilsby and sent home his 20th goal of the season.
Dawson Mercer had a golden opportunity in front of the net, but the far post denied him of the game-tying tally with 13:58 remaining.
Bratt showcased his skills as he tied the game with 9:18 remaining in the third. New Jersey’s crafty winger waited out Annunen with some silky mitts, before firing a wrist shot past the outstretched netminder.
