The New Jersey Devils continued their surge with a dramatic 4–3 overtime victory against the Chicago Blackhawks at the United Center, powered by an unforgettable performance from defenseman Simon Nemec. The 21-year-old blueliner delivered the first hat trick of his career — including the overtime game-winner — as New Jersey battled back from behind three separate times to steal the win on the road. Explore more about the Devils here.
Nemec capped off his night just 3:28 into overtime, taking a long stretch pass from goaltender Jacob Markstrom and skating in on a breakaway before firing a perfectly placed shot past Chicago’s Spencer Knight. The goal sealed one of the most memorable individual performances by a Devils defenseman in recent years.
“I just saw the ice open up,” Nemec said afterward. “Marky made a great pass — I just tried to finish it. It was a great team effort tonight.”
Nemec had already scored twice late in regulation to keep New Jersey alive. His second goal of the game came with less than four minutes remaining in the third period, a slick tap-in off a Stefan Noesen feed that tied things up 3–3 and forced the extra frame. The rookie’s heroics marked his first multi-goal outing in the NHL and his fourth tally of the season — all of which have come in the past week, signaling a surge in confidence for the young defenseman.
On the other side, Chicago’s rookie sensation Connor Bedard extended his goal streak to four games, continuing his strong start to the season. Bedard opened the scoring with a 5-on-3 power-play blast late in the first period, followed by goals from Landon Slaggert and Sam Lafferty as the Blackhawks repeatedly reclaimed the lead before Nemec and the Devils struck back each time.
Despite missing two forwards for most of the game — Zack MacEwen and Cody Glass both exited early with injuries — New Jersey found ways to push the pace and control possession. The Devils outshot the Blackhawks 33–17 and dictated play through much of the second and third periods, demonstrating the kind of poise and depth that has defined their recent run of success.
Jack Hughes continued to shine as the team’s offensive catalyst, picking up two assists, including the cross-ice setup on Dawson Mercer’s game-tying goal midway through the third period. Markstrom not only earned the win with 17 saves but also added an assist on Nemec’s overtime winner, a rare feat for a goaltender and a reminder of the Devils’ up-tempo, aggressive style.
“I loved our effort tonight,” said Devils coach Sheldon Keefe. “Even when we were trailing, we stuck to our game and controlled the puck. We created chances, stayed patient, and got rewarded. That’s the kind of hockey that wins you games consistently.”
The victory marked New Jersey’s seventh straight win against Chicago, continuing a streak that dates back to the 2022–23 season. The Devils have now won three of their last four, each of those games requiring overtime — proof of both their resilience and flair for late-game drama.
Nemec also etched his name into the NHL record books as the youngest defenseman in league history to complete a hat trick with an overtime goal, joining a short list of only eight defensemen to ever do so. It’s another milestone for the emerging star, whose confidence and poise have made him a growing force on the Devils’ blue line.
The Devils will look to build on this momentum as they continue their road trip, eyeing another step forward in what’s shaping up to be a promising campaign. For more updates, analysis, and in-depth coverage of New Jersey’s season, visit Explore New Jersey’s Devils coverage.
