In a game that had no playoff implications for either side but felt every bit like a postseason thriller, the New Jersey Devils edged out the Boston Bruins 5-4 in overtime thanks to a surprise game-winner from defenseman Brian Dumoulin. Dumoulin, acquired at the trade deadline and known far more for his reliable defensive play than his scoring, found the back of the net for the first time in red and black—and the timing couldn’t have been better.
With just one game left in the regular season, New Jersey came into Boston with their playoff fate already sealed. They’re locked into a first-round matchup with the Carolina Hurricanes, while the Bruins—eliminated from postseason contention for the first time in nearly a decade—were simply playing out the string. Still, both teams brought intensity to the ice, creating a back-and-forth contest that proved more exciting than anyone might’ve expected.
Devils Shake Off Slump with Balanced Attack
New Jersey came into Tuesday night’s game on a three-game losing skid and in desperate need of a morale boost heading into the postseason. They got it thanks to a spread-out scoring effort that saw five different Devils light the lamp.
Timo Meier opened the scoring with a vintage move, skating down the wing and snapping a laser over Bruins goalie Jeremy Swayman’s shoulder. It was the kind of confident shot fans have been hoping to see more of from Meier, who’s had an up-and-down campaign.
Stefan Noesen continued his under-the-radar productive season, capitalizing on a loose puck during a net-front scrum on the power play. Simon Nemec showed off his offensive upside with a booming shot from the point after a clean faceoff win, and Dawson Mercer redirected a slick feed from Nico Hischier to keep the power play humming.
The game-winning goal, though? That belonged to Brian Dumoulin. The veteran blueliner—who hadn’t scored since joining the Devils from Anaheim—wound up in the right place at the right time during the 3-on-3 overtime period. After a strong forecheck and some slick passing, Dumoulin found a shooting lane and buried the puck to send his teammates spilling over the boards in celebration.
“I wasn’t exactly expecting that,” Dumoulin said postgame with a grin. “But I’ll take it.”
Goaltending Woes Persist
As encouraging as the offensive output was, goaltending continues to be a concern. Jake Allen got the start and struggled for much of the night. He allowed four goals on just 2.31 expected goals against, according to Natural Stat Trick, and didn’t look sharp on a number of the Bruins’ tallies.
Boston’s Morgan Geekie tied the game early with a one-time finish off a beautiful cross-ice pass. David Pastrnak got behind the defense and beat Allen on a partial breakaway to make it 2-2. The real damage, though, came from the less heralded names. Rookie John Farinacci, making his NHL debut, picked up a loose puck and scored while drifting away from the net. Then Marat Khusnutdinov tied the game at four after a nasty forecheck by Fabian Lysell left the Devils scrambling.
Allen’s inconsistency has been a recurring theme down the stretch, and with the playoffs looming, head coach Sheldon Keefe will have a tough decision to make regarding who starts in net come Game 1.
Injury Scares and Lineup Shuffles
The Devils didn’t escape the game unscathed. Veteran winger Ondrej Palat took a puck to the leg while blocking a shot in the first period and did not return. He was seen limping off the ice and played less than three minutes total. After the game, Keefe offered a brief update:
“Palat’s x-rays came back negative,” he said. “That’s good news, but he won’t play tomorrow.”
While fans were relieved that Palat avoided a serious injury, it’s unclear if he’ll be ready for the playoff opener. His absence would leave a noticeable gap in the Devils’ top nine, especially given his postseason experience.
Marc McLaughlin made his Devils debut after being called up due to Paul Cotter’s suspension. Ironically, McLaughlin was acquired from Boston at the deadline. He marked his debut with an assist, winning the faceoff that led to Nemec’s goal. Despite the assist, McLaughlin had a quiet night overall, logging just under nine minutes of ice time and finishing with a team-low Expected Goals For% at even strength.
Signs of Life from Nemec
Nemec’s goal was a highlight, but his all-around game stood out even more. The 20-year-old defenseman has had a tough rookie season, complicated by injuries and adjusting to a new system. However, he’s shown flashes in recent weeks, and Tuesday’s game was perhaps his most complete effort to date.
Natural Stat Trick had Nemec with a 68.81% xGF%, and Hockey Stat Cards gave him the top game score among Devils defensemen. While he was partially at fault on the Khusnutdinov goal, his poise with the puck and improved positioning were notable throughout the game.
With Dougie Hamilton still sidelined and the defense needing stability, Nemec emerging as a viable top-four option could be a game-changer for New Jersey’s playoff outlook.
They Still Haven’t Won Four in a Row
In what has become one of the stranger statistical quirks in the league, the Devils once again failed to win four consecutive games this season. It’s now been over two full years since they last pulled off a four-game winning streak—January 2023, to be exact. That’s baffling for a team that’s boasted as much top-end talent as the Devils have in that span.
Consistency remains this team’s biggest challenge, and while a single OT win against a non-playoff team won’t fix that, it’s at least a step in the right direction as the team tries to enter the playoffs on a high note.
What’s Next
The Devils return home to face the Detroit Red Wings in their regular season finale Wednesday night. With Cotter serving the final game of his suspension and Palat ruled out, the lineup will once again be in flux.
Puck drop is set for 7:30 p.m., and while the result won’t change the standings, expect a fired-up crowd at Prudential Center ready to send the team into the playoffs with some energy.
Fan Questions
So what did you think of the win? Did Dumoulin surprise you? Are you gaining confidence in Nemec? And how worried are you about the goaltending situation heading into the postseason?
Join the conversation with Explore New Jersey every Wednesday as we follow the Devils’ playoff journey and keep our eyes locked on all things Garden State.
Let’s Go Devils!
