Devils Edge Wild in Shootout for Third Win in Four Games

NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — Paul Cotter and Jesper Bratt delivered in the shootout as the New Jersey Devils secured a 3-2 victory over the Minnesota Wild on Monday night, marking their third win in four games.

Luke Hughes and Nico Hischier found the back of the net in regulation for New Jersey, which also topped Minnesota 5-2 on Saturday. Goaltender Jacob Markstrom stood tall with 27 saves.

Vinnie Hinostroza and Matt Boldy scored for the Wild, who have now dropped four of their last five games. Filip Gustavsson stopped 26 shots in the loss.

In the shootout, Cotter and Bratt converted on New Jersey’s first two attempts, while Boldy’s shot for Minnesota rang off the crossbar, sealing the win for the Devils.

Hughes, the 21-year-old defenseman and younger brother of injured Devils star Jack Hughes, opened the scoring with 7:30 remaining in the first period, netting his seventh goal of the season.

Hinostroza evened the score early in the third with his fifth goal, but Hischier put the Devils back on top at 9:12, notching his team-leading 34th goal. The lead was short-lived as Boldy struck with just 2:08 left in regulation, forcing overtime.

The Devils wrapped up March with eight wins in 16 games, reaching the 40-win mark for the second time in three seasons. They currently hold third place in the Metropolitan Division.

Minnesota, meanwhile, has struggled on the road, losing five of its last six away games despite maintaining a solid 22-11-4 record away from home.

Markstrom made a crucial overtime save on Minnesota’s Jared Spurgeon, improving his record to 25-14-6 in his first season with the Devils. New Jersey also bolstered its home record to 18-13-5, with five of its final six games set to take place at Prudential Center.

Up Next

The Wild travel to face the New York Rangers on Wednesday, while the Devils will host the Rangers on Saturday.