Newark, N.J. — Facing a critical Game 3 with a 0-2 series deficit, the New Jersey Devils rose to the occasion, delivering one of their best performances of the season to keep their playoff hopes alive.
Simon Nemec played the hero, scoring 2:36 into double overtime to lift the Devils to a thrilling 3-2 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes on Friday night in their first-round playoff matchup.
“We played an incredible game, and it’s a huge win for us,” said the 21-year-old defenseman.
Nemec carried the puck up the right side, pulled off a slick move near the faceoff circle, and ripped a shot past Carolina goaltender Frederik Andersen to send the Prudential Center crowd into a frenzy.
“An awesome play by Simon — he recognized the moment and took charge,” praised Devils head coach Sheldon Keefe.
Nico Hischier and Dawson Mercer scored in regulation for New Jersey, while goaltender Jacob Markstrom made 25 saves to help the Devils slice Carolina’s series lead to 2-1.
“It’s an unbelievable feeling,” Markstrom said after the win. “We’re back in the fight. Now it’s 2-1, and we have a real shot to even things up.”
Sebastian Aho registered a goal and an assist for Carolina, Seth Jarvis added a power-play tally, and Andersen stopped 34 shots but couldn’t hold off the Devils’ surge.
The series resumes with Game 4 set for Sunday night at Prudential Center before shifting back to Raleigh for Game 5 on Tuesday.
Both teams had opportunities to end the game in the first overtime, but both goalies stood tall. New Jersey controlled much of the extra period, outshooting Carolina 8-2 and getting two chances on the power play but failing to convert.
The Devils welcomed back defenseman Jonas Siegenthaler, who had been sidelined since February 4. However, they remained without Luke Hughes and Brenden Dillon, and they suffered another setback when Johnathan Kovacevic exited after the first period and did not return.
Mercer extended the Devils’ lead early in the third period, capitalizing on a chaotic sequence. After Andersen stopped Jesper Bratt’s initial rush, Mercer corralled the puck behind the net. His first wraparound attempt misfired, but Andersen, scrambling back into position, accidentally knocked the puck into his own net with his stick at 1:17.
Carolina responded with two power-play goals. Jarvis fired a shot from the right circle to make it 2-1 at 6:11, and Aho tied the game with 7:40 left, finishing a sharp pass from Andrei Svechnikov after a scramble in front of the Devils’ net.
“We battled back and tied it, but other than a few good minutes, we just weren’t ourselves,” Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour admitted. “You have to give New Jersey credit — they earned this one.”
New Jersey opened the scoring late in the first period. Timo Meier fed a pass to a streaking Hischier, who appeared to lose control of the puck as he attempted a move to his forehand, but the puck slid past Andersen to give the Devils a 1-0 lead with 3:49 left. It marked only their third goal of the series and the second by Hischier.
Late in the second period, Meier nearly padded the Devils’ lead during a goalmouth scramble, but Andersen, lying on his stomach, managed to snag Meier’s shot with his glove to keep it a one-goal game at that point.
