The New Jersey Devils reignited their momentum with a hard-fought 5-3 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks on Wednesday night, ending a three-game skid in a dramatic comeback fueled by standout performances from rookie Luke Hughes and forward Jesper Bratt.
Hughes notched three assists, while Bratt added two, extending his career-high season points tally to 84. The Devils’ offense roared to life with goals from Nathan Bastian, Timo Meier, Ondrej Palat, Dawson Mercer, and Stefan Noesen. Mercer’s power-play goal at 6:50 in the first period — just five seconds into the penalty — highlighted the team’s aggressive playmaking.
Chicago’s Tyler Bertuzzi, Ilya Mikheyev, and Frank Nazar scored, but the Blackhawks fell short despite Spencer Knight’s 15 saves. Captain Nico Hischier extended his eight-game point streak with an assist, cementing his role as a linchpin in the Devils’ lineup.
The win mirrored the Devils’ November 14, 2024, dominance against the Panthers, showcasing their ability to capitalize on power plays, even-strength opportunities, and empty-net chances. For Chicago, the loss deepened concerns as they dropped eight of their last 10 games.
