3 Takeaways From the Devils’ 5-4 OT Win Over the Blues

On Nov. 5, the New Jersey Devils hosted the St. Louis Blues for their first matchup of the 2026-27 season. The Devils came out of the gate strong, with the first and only goal in the first period to take the lead. Another goal halfway into the middle frame gave the Devils a two-goal lead. The Blues capitalized on an unfortunate penalty for the Devils, cutting their lead in half. Two more late goals for the Devils gave them a three-goal lead after 40 minutes.

Just 11 minutes into the third, the Blues scored their second of the game. They scored two more goals within the 14-minute mark, tying the game. With no more goals scored in regulation, the Devils and Blues headed to overtime to decide the winner. It was the Devils who scored a minute and a half into the three-on-three, earning New Jersey a 5-4 win.

Devils Offense Exploded in the Second Period

While the Devils already had the first goal in the first period, they didn’t allow this to be their one insurance goal. 12 minutes into the second period, Jack Hughes carried the puck into the Devils’ offensive zone. He passed it down to Jesper Bratt, who passed it up to Anthony Mantha. He sent it back to Hughes, who dished it to Mantha to send the puck past Jordan Binnington.

Although the Blues were on the board shortly after this goal, the Devils’ offense exploded. With two minutes remaining in the second period, Luke Hughes sent a slap shot towards the net, but Binnington made the initial save. While he hugged the post, Jesper Boqvist picked up the loose puck and, with expert puck control, skated it around Binnington and sent it into the empty net. Just 19 seconds later, Mantha scored his second of the game off a breakaway.

Mantha had a three-point night after two periods, while Luke Hughes, J. Hughes, and Brett Pesce all had two points after 40 minutes. The Devils had a strong performance to earn them a three-goal lead as they went into the third period.

Devils Faced a Third Period Collapse

Everyone saw what happened to the Montreal Canadiens the other night, when the Winnipeg Jets came back from a four-goal deficit to win in overtime. After watching the Devils’ performance in the final frame against the Blues, it was almost a sense of deja vu.

The Devils made simple mistakes that allowed the Blues to come back from a three-goal deficit and force the game to go into overtime. As it is, the first goal the Blues scored was on a power play they shouldn’t have even gotten. Connor McMichael was playing with an already broken stick, and when it snapped in half, Amadeus Lombardi was called to the box for a slash. This was just extremely unfortunate timing on Lombardi’s part.

It was the game-tying goal that really sent the Devils through the wringer. Connor Hellebuyck exited the crease to try and clear the puck. The Blues gained control and sent it into the yawning cage to tie the game.

By no means were all four goals Hellebuyck’s fault. However, that fourth one—it’s hard to deny this was a lapse in judgement from him. Regardless, the entire third period was rough for New Jersey, which allowed the Blues to force this game into overtime.

Bratt Called Game

A minute and a half into overtime, the Blues had the puck in their zone and took a shot toward the net. Dougie Hamilton was defending near the net and got his stick on the puck. He sent it to Bratt at the blue line, who carried it into the Devils’ offensive zone with no one pressuring him. He had ample time as he skated to the net, where he put the puck past Binnington to call the game.

Bratt was the fourth player on the Devils to record a two-point game, and his goal was the one that mattered the most. Although the Blues clawed back, it was the Devils who picked up an important two points in this game.

Not only did the Devils use a full team effort to secure the win, Hellebuyck now has four straight wins, and the Devils are undefeated when he is in net. Let’s see if this impressive streak can continue, especially since the Devils are about to hit the road again and play a back-to-back.

Devils Head to the Island

After two games at home, the Devils will begin a three-game road trip. The first game will be on Saturday, Nov. 7, when the Devils take on the New York Islanders for the second time this season. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 PM ET.