In a thrilling display of resilience and youthful brilliance, Simon Nemec emerged as the unlikely hero for the New Jersey Devils, delivering a game-winning goal in double overtime to secure a 3-2 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes in Game 3 of their Eastern Conference first-round playoff series. This pivotal win at the Prudential Center not only narrowed the series deficit to 2-1 but also marked a significant milestone in Nemec’s burgeoning NHL career.
A Game of Momentum Swings
The evening commenced with the Devils establishing an early lead. Nico Hischier opened the scoring late in the first period, capitalizing on a precise pass from Timo Meier. Despite a valiant effort from Hurricanes’ goaltender Frederik Andersen, who made several key saves, Hischier’s goal stood as the sole tally of the opening frame.
The Devils extended their advantage in the third period when Dawson Mercer capitalized on a wraparound opportunity, doubling the lead to 2-0. However, the Hurricanes responded swiftly. Seth Jarvis ignited their comeback with a power-play goal at 6:11, followed by Sebastian Aho’s equalizer at 12:20, also on the power play, sending the game into overtime.
Nemec’s Moment of Glory
With both teams battling fatigue and the pressure mounting, it was Simon Nemec who seized the moment. At 2:36 into the second overtime, Nemec collected a loose puck in the neutral zone, maneuvered past defenders Jack Roslovic and Shayne Gostisbehere, and unleashed a wrist shot from the right face-off circle. The puck deflected off Andersen’s blocker and trickled into the net, igniting a euphoric celebration among teammates and fans alike.
This goal not only secured the victory but also marked Nemec’s first career playoff goal in just his second postseason appearance. At 21 years and 69 days old, he became the second-youngest defenseman in NHL history to score an overtime goal in the playoffs, trailing only Andrei Zyuzin, who accomplished the feat at 20 years and 97 days in 1998.
Team Effort and Tactical Discipline
Despite the absence of key defensemen Brenden Dillon and Luke Hughes, and the early departure of Johnathan Kovacevic due to injury, the Devils’ defensive corps held firm. Jonas Siegenthaler, returning from injury, logged over 27 minutes of ice time, delivering five hits and blocking three shots. Veteran Brian Dumoulin played a game-high 36:24, contributing four hits and five blocks, showcasing the depth and resilience of the team’s defensive unit.
Goaltender Jacob Markstrom was instrumental in the victory, making 25 saves and maintaining composure under pressure. His performance, coupled with the team’s disciplined play, including a perfect penalty kill and a 9-2 shot advantage in the first overtime, underscored their commitment to securing the win.
Looking Ahead
With the series now at 2-1 in favor of the Hurricanes, the Devils have momentum on their side. Head coach Sheldon Keefe lauded the team’s character and resilience, emphasizing the importance of building on this victory. “We learned a lot about the character of our team today,” Keefe remarked. “That’s a hard hockey game up there tonight. Backs essentially against the wall, and our guys just dug in and found a way.”Reuters
Game 4 is scheduled for Sunday at 3:30 p.m. ET at the Prudential Center, where the Devils will look to even the series and continue their pursuit of postseason success.
Devils’ Dramatic Victory in Game 3
