Devils Extend Winning Streak With Overtime Thriller Over Blues
Jesper Bratt broke a 4-4 tie on a breakaway to secure the sixth straight victory at Prudential Center.
By Fatou Mitchell ·
The New Jersey Devils defeated the St. Louis Blues 5-4 in overtime at Prudential Center on Thursday night. Jesper Bratt ended the tie on a breakaway pass from Dougie Hamilton, marking his fourth career goal in the extra frame.
The win extends the Devils' recent surge. The team has won six consecutive home games and is now 8-2 in its last ten contests. New Jersey currently sits in second place in the Metropolitan Division, a position it has not held while making the playoffs in the last two seasons.
New Jersey controlled the first period, outshooting St. Louis 16-4. Jack Hughes opened the scoring with his sixth goal of the season. The Devils built a 4-1 lead in the second period. Jesper Boqvist and Anthony Mantha scored on goals 19 seconds apart to extend the margin. Mantha also added an assist, while Luke Hughes contributed a goal and an assist.
St. Louis mounted a late comeback to force overtime. The Blues scored three goals in 3 minutes and 8 seconds to tie the game at 4-4. Mason McTavish, Philip Broberg, and Dalibor Dvorsky found the net, with the final two goals occurring 18 seconds apart with 5 minutes and 6 seconds remaining in regulation.
Connor Hellebuyck stopped 28 shots for the Devils. He has gone 4-0-0 since joining New Jersey from Winnipeg in late October. Jordan Binnington made 31 saves for St. Louis. Jack Hughes added two assists, bringing his season total to 21 points, which leads the Devils. He has recorded eight points in his last five games.
The loss ended a six-game road trip for the Blues against Eastern Conference opponents, where they finished 2-4. The team travels to Nashville on Saturday to conclude its away schedule. The Devils host the New York Islanders on Saturday.
