Simon Nemec scores in 2nd OT to
lift Devils past Hurricanes 3-2 in Game 3
[April 26, 2025]
By VIN A. CHERWOO
NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — Simon Nemec came up with a big play when the New
Jersey Devils needed a boost.
Nemec scored 2:36 into the second overtime and the New Jersey Devils
beat the Carolina Hurricanes 3-2 on Friday night in Game 3 of the
first-round playoff series.
“We played a great game and big win for us,” the 21-year-old
defenseman said.
Nemec brought the puck up the right side, made a deke move in the
right circle and fired it past Frederik Andersen.
“Great play by him to jump in and attack and get a shot off," Devils
coach Sheldon Keefe said.
Nico Hischier and Dawson Mercer scored in regulation for New Jersey
and Jacob Markstrom had 25 saves. The Devils cut their series
deficit to 2-1 after losing the first two games on the road.
“It was unbelievable, what a team effort,” Markstrom said. “It's a
2-1 series now and we have a chance to tie it up in a few days.”
Sebastian Aho had a goal and an assist, Seth Jarvis also scored, and
Andersen finished with 34 saves for the Hurricanes.
Game 4 is Sunday back at Prudential Center, and Game 5 is Tuesday
night in Raleigh, North Carolina.
Both teams had chances in the first overtime and the goalies came up
with big saves and blocked shots. New Jersey, which had two power
plays in the period, had an 8-2 advantage on shots.
The Devils got defenseman Jonas Siegenthaler back for the first time
since Feb. 4, but were without Luke Hughes and Brenden Dillon for
the second straight game. New Jersey then lost another defenseman,
when Johnathan Kovacevic didn’t return after the first intermission.
Mercer pushed the Devils' lead to 2-0 at 1:17 of the third period
after Andersen made a pad save to deny Jesper Bratt's driving
attempt. With the goalie out of position, Mercer went behind the net
to get the puck and brought it in front on the left side but whiffed
on his attempt to tuck it in. However, Andersen dove to get back in
the play and knocked the puck across the line with his stick.
[to top of second column] |
Carolina Hurricanes center Jordan Staal (11) and New Jersey Devils
center Paul Cotter (47) fight during the first period of Game 3 of a
first-round NHL hockey playoff series Friday, April 25, 2025, in
Newark, N.J. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)
Jarvis got the Hurricanes on the scoreboard with a
power-play goal from the right circle at 6:11.
Aho tied it with another power-play goal with 7:40 left. Markstrom
came out to his left to make a save on a shot by Andrei Svechnikov,
who got the puck back and passed to to Aho in the right circle and
he fired it past Siegenthaler and Hischier in front of the net.
“We did fight back and tie it up, there was an eight-minute stretch
where it was kind of good, the rest was not our game,” Carolina
coach Rod Brind’Amour said. “Tip your hat to New Jersey, they did
what they had to do. We were just not very good.”
The Devils got on the scoreboard late in the first period when Timo
Meier found Hischier streaking to the net, and Hischier appeared to
lose control of the puck as he tried to move it to his forehand, but
the puck slid across the goal line on the left side with 3:49 left.
It was New Jersey's third goal of the series and second by Hischier.
The Devils nearly added to their lead late in the second period
during a scramble in front of Andersen, but the goalie was down on
his stomach and gloved Meier’s attempt from the left side with 6:04
remaining.
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