NEWARK, N.J. — In a thrilling Monday night game, Paul Cotter and Jesper Bratt shone in the shootout, leading the New Jersey Devils to a 3-2 victory over the Minnesota Wild. This marks the Devils` third win in their last four games, showcasing their strong performance.
The game saw Luke Hughes and Nico Hischier scoring in regulation time for the Devils. Goaltender Jacob Markstrom was instrumental in the win, blocking 27 shots and maintaining a solid defense. This victory is the Devils` second consecutive against the Wild, following their 5-2 triumph in Minnesota on Saturday.
For the Wild, Vinnie Hinostroza and Matt Boldy managed to score, but it wasn`t enough to secure a win. The Wild faced their fourth defeat in the last five games, with Filip Gustavsson making 26 saves in goal.
The shootout was decisive, with Cotter and Bratt successfully scoring on their attempts for the Devils. Boldy`s shot for the Wild hit the crossbar, sealing the win for New Jersey.
Earlier in the game, Luke Hughes, the younger brother of Jack Hughes, put the Devils on the board in the first period with his seventh goal of the season.
Hinostroza leveled the score in the third period, but Hischier quickly responded, putting the Devils ahead again. Boldy then equalized late in the third, forcing the game into overtime and eventually a shootout.
Key Game Highlights:
Devils: The team concluded March with a strong record of eight wins in sixteen games, achieving their 40th win of the season for the second time in three years. They are firmly holding onto third place in the Metropolitan Division.
Wild: The Minnesota Wild`s struggles on the road continued with this loss, being their fifth in the last six away games. However, they still maintain a commendable away record of 22-11-4 for the season.
Turning Point:
A critical moment was Markstrom`s outstanding save against Jared Spurgeon in overtime, highlighting his value to the Devils in his first season.
Stat to Note:
The Devils improved their home record to 18-13-5 and are set to play five of their remaining six games at home in the Prudential Center.
Looking Ahead:
The Wild are scheduled to play against the New York Rangers on Wednesday, while the Devils will also face the Rangers at home on Saturday in an anticipated matchup.