The New Jersey Devils played the Minnesota Wild for the final game of their road trip on Saturday, March 29. While they lost 4-0 to the Winnipeg Jets the day before, they beat the Wild 5-2 in the second half of a back-to-back.
Devils Had a Strong Start
Just 29 seconds into the first period, the Devils opened the scoring.
Off a missed shot by the Wild, Stefan Noesen recovered the puck. He passed it down the ice for Jesper Bratt. Bratt rushed through the neutral zone and into the Devils’ offensive zone with Nico Hischier to his left. Bratt took a shot that was blocked by Filip Gustavsson. Hischier recovered the rebound and scored the first goal of the game.
Five minutes later, the Devils were back on the board to extend their lead. Daniel Sprong passed the puck around the boards for Nolan Foote. Before Foote was dealt a heavy hit, he passed the puck across the ice for Brian Dumoulin. Dumoulin took the shot, but Gustavsson blocked it. The rebound found Paul Cotter by the boards. With a shot, Cotter found the upper corner of the net and scored to give the Devils a 2-0 lead five minutes into the first period.
Not only did the Devils have a strong lead to start the first, but Cotter’s goal marked Foote’s first point of the season. In just five games with the Devils, he has now recorded his first assist of the season. He was recalled to the Devils for the second time this season on March 21 and has played three games with New Jersey since the call-up. Foote has played a majority of the season with the Utica Comets, and he was finding success there. In 53 games, he has recorded 39 points via 18 goals and 21 assists.
Hischier Hat Trick to Seal the Deal
Not only did Hischier score in the first period, but he recorded two goals in the third period to earn his second hat trick of the season.
Three minutes into the third period, Hischier stole the puck away from Frederick Gaudreau. Hischier skated up the ice with speed to the Devils’ offensive zone. Although three Wild players were defending him, he shot the puck. His shot rang off the iron but went into the net for his second goal of the game.
Related: Hischier Leads Devils With Hat Trick in 5-2 Win Over Wild
At the 14-minute mark, the Devils were on the power play. Bratt passed the puck to Luke Hughes in the center of the ice. He took a blast of a shot, but Gustavsson blocked it. Hischier picked up the rebound to the side of the net. His shot took an odd bounce but hit the back of the net to earn Hischier his third goal of the night.
Hischier recorded his first hat trick this season on Nov. 25 against the Nashville Predators. With his three goals this game, Hischier passed his previous record for goals scored in a single season. His previous record was set in the 2022-23 season, where he scored 31 goals. For this season, his total currently sits at 33 goals. Not only this, but he has now earned another 60-point season. Hischier has been stellar so far this season, and with seven games left to play, he still has a chance to increase his goal total.
Markstrom Finally Looked Decent
Jacob Markstrom recorded the same save percentage (SV%) in this game against the Wild that he recorded on his first game back from injury, .917. What’s the major difference between this game and the one on March 2? This resulted in a victory. Markstrom stopped 22 out of 24 shots that Minnesota took on the net.
For the first time all month, Markstrom played in the same style he played before his injury. He made exceptional saves and helped keep New Jersey in the game. This win marks Markstrom’s third victory this month, and he is now on a two-game winning streak. Hopefully, he can keep that streak alive as the Devils draw closer to a playoff spot.
Devils Head Back Home
The Devils’ next game is on Monday, March 31, when they host the Wild at Prudential Center.
