CHICAGO (AP) – Defender Simon Némec scored his third goal of the game at 3:28 of overtime to lift New Jersey Devils to a 4-3 victory against the Chicago Blackhawks on Wednesday night.
Dawson Mercer also scored and Jack Hughes had two assists for the Eastern Conference-leading Devils, who are 3-0-1 in their last four games. Jacob Markstrom stopped 17 shots.
that of Chicago Connor Bedard scored for the fourth straight game and extended his point streak to a career-high nine games with eight goals and 11 assists. Landon Slaggert connected after being recalled from Rockford of the AHL on WednesdaySam Lafferty added a scoring goal for his first point of the season and Spencer Knight made 33 saves.
In overtime, Nemec, 21, took a wide pass from Markstrom, ran and beat Knight high on the glove side for his first career hat trick. Nemec connected for a second straight game and recorded his first multi-goal outing after not scoring in his first 15 games this season.
The Devils extended their winning streak to seven games against the Blackhawks.
Bédard opened the scoring with a 5-on-3 power play goal with 1:25 left in the first period, shooting with Markstrom down.
Knight shined in the second as New Jersey outscored Chicago 14-3 and 11-0 to close the period. But Nemec stepped in from the left side and placed a backhand inside the post to tie the score on the Devils’ 24th shot with 15 seconds left in the period.
Slaggert’s deflection at 3:05 of the third gave Chicago the lead again. Mercer fired a one-timer on Hughes’ precise pass to tie the game at 2 at 10:13
Lafferty sped up and gave Chicago a 3-2 lead with 6:28 left in the third period. Set up by Hughes, Nemec tied it at 3 with a one-timer from the left side with 4:46 left in regulation.
that of Chicago Ryan Donato played in his 500th NHL game.
To be continued
Devils: At Washington on Saturday.
Blackhawks: Host Toronto on Saturday.
