The New Jersey Devils secured a 3-2 shootout victory over the Washington Capitals on Monday night, despite missing key forward Jack Hughes due to injury. Simon Nemec scored the deciding goal in the fourth round of the shootout, continuing his recent strong performance.
After building a 2-0 lead with goals from Arseny Gritsyuk and Luke Hughes, the Devils saw their advantage erased in the third period as Washington’s Connor McMichael and Alexander Ovechkin tied the game. The teams remained deadlocked through overtime before Nemec clinched the win.
“Good teams find a way and we’ve got to hold the fort for (Jack),” said captain Nico Hischier. “That’s what we’re trying to do here, and I think everybody bought in and that’s why we got a grindy win, that’s important for morale.”
Nemec has been productive recently, scoring five goals over his last three games, including a hat trick against Chicago and another crucial goal against the Islanders. Although shootout goals are not counted toward official statistics, his contributions have been significant.
“When Sheldon said I’m up (in the shootout), in my head I’m like, I’ve just got one move, so just go and try it and it worked,” Nemec said. “I’m happy for that.”
Head coach Sheldon Keefe explained his decision: “He’s feeling it. But I also felt we needed a right handed shot to give the goaltender a different look. That was it. And you’re looking at righties, and we don’t have a ton of options there, and Nemo is feeling it, so why not?”
With Jack Hughes sidelined after finger surgery—a procedure expected to keep him out for two months—the Devils adjusted their lineup by promoting Jesper Bratt to alternate captain alongside Ondrej Palat. Bratt also wore an ‘A’ last season during Hughes’s absence.
The power play units were reconfigured as well: PP1 featured Nemec, Hischier, Bratt, Meier and Mercer; PP2 included Luke Hughes, Gritsyuk, Palat, Cotter and Noesen. Gritsyuk scored on one of three power play opportunities early in the game.
Before facing Washington, Keefe provided updates on other injured players: Zack MacEwen will be out for an extended period while Cody Glass is considered week-to-week after both suffered injuries in Chicago. Their absences opened up roster spots filled by Shane Lachance—making his NHL debut—and Nathan Légaré.
“Guys like Légaré and Lachance coming in today, we need minutes from these guys,” Keefe said. “This game we played tonight is two steps faster than the game we played in Chicago. It was a different league out there today. You can’t get by if you’re not using six defensemen and four lines. We need minutes from those guys and everybody contributed in their own way and that’s what you need. That’s a team win. Full marks for our guys.”
During play late in the first period, Alex Ovechkin checked Jesper Bratt into the boards behind Washington’s net; Bratt remained down but eventually returned to play after being attended by trainers.
The contest marked New Jersey’s fifth consecutive overtime game—a streak matched only twice before in franchise history during 1995-96.
Next up for New Jersey is an away matchup against Tampa Bay Lightning.
