Devils won their third straight game on Saturday night, defeating rival New York Islanders in a dramatic overtime exchange. Jack Hughes’ OT winner underscored a third period where both teams went blow-for-blow, delivering one of the more exciting periods either side has played thus far this season. What it showcased was yet another moment where Sheldon Keefe’s team have grown and adapted to volatile situations late in games.
“It means we’re growing,” said Sefan Noesen who scored the game-tying goal with just seconds left in the game. “We’re okay being down a goal or two as long as we stick with the process.”
That process appeared worrisome in the third period when the Islanders stormed back into the game, scoring twice and leaving the Devils with a two-goal deficit in just two minutes. Much of the same issues haunted the visitors with sloppy giveaways and indecisiveness being the culprit. Still, the Devils have a very potent offense that can turn games around at any moment.
Dawson Mercer clawed a goal back and the aforementioned Noesen pushed the team with just seconds remaining on the clock. Jack Hughes stepped up in overtime to make sure that the winning streak continued and that assurance around the process the team is currently undertaking remained strong.
“Those are the moments you play hockey for,” said captain Nico Hischier. “I think it’s an emotional, tight game. I think we played a well enough game to win, and getting rewarded for it makes it that much better.”
The streak is the first the Devils have had this season. Combined with the fact that they’ve only lost once in their last five games and you have a team that is high on belief heading into a tough stretch of games against the Florida Panthers and Tampa Bay Lightning within the next week.