Devils Rally Late to Defeat Canadiens in Overtime, 4-3

Published: Thursday, November 6, 2025

by Ryan Nelke

NEWARK, N.J. - The New Jersey Devils (10-4-0) rallied late to defeat the Montreal Canadiens (9-3-2) 4-3 in overtime, with Jesper Bratt scoring the game-winning breakaway goal.

It did not take long for the fireworks to ensue from Newark as both teams scored on their first shot of the game.  New Jersey struck first, as it was Cody Glass fresh off injury to give the Devils an early 1-0 lead just under two minutes into the game.  Montreal responded a minute later when Kirby Dach found the back of the net on a deflected shot that netminder Jacob Markstrom did not seem to see.

For the majority of the remainder of the period, there was not much action.  However, both teams got breakaway chances with under three minutes to go, but Markstrom and Montreal goaltender Jakub Dobes stood strong.  The first period would come to an end shortly thereafter with both squads in a 1-1 deadlock.

Throughout the second period, New Jersey continued to produce numerous grade-A chances, but could just not capitalize.  Despite this, they were able to convert on one of their high-danger scoring chances when Ondrej Palat found himself open in front of the net and chipped it in to put the Devils back on top.  Simon Nemec and Dennis Cholowski would be credited with the assists.

Both teams would stay off the scoreboard for the remainder of the period, and New Jersey would take a 2-1 lead into the dressing room.

Montreal evened the contest up right away to kick off the final frame, as Jake Evans snuck one past Markstrom from a sharp angle 59 seconds in.  Josh Anderson and Noah Dobson tallied the assists.

At the halfway mark, the Canadiens struck again when Oliver Kapanen scored off a rebound and beat the outstretched Markstrom, handing Montreal the late lead.  Alex Newhook took the lone assist.

The Devils continued to search for the equalizer, but were struggling to beat Dobes.  With the clock under two minutes, New Jersey pulled Markstrom for the extra attacker.  This led to fierce offensive zone pressure, and with 1:07 remaining, they finally got one past Dobes, when Timo Meier tapped it in from the side of the net, sending the crowd into a frenzy.

Bratt and Jack Hughes were responsible for the assists. Following Meier’s goal, the Thursday night battle was off to overtime.

A minute and a half into overtime, Bratt found the puck on his stick with nobody in front of him at center ice, and took it all the way to the net, beating Dobes through the five hole for the game-winning goal.

This comeback win for New Jersey marks their second straight home overtime winner, as they beat Colorado by the same score in their last home game.

Unfortunately for the Devils, this win does not come without paying the price, as defenseman Dougie Hamilton left halfway through the game and did not return.  In his postgame conference, head coach Sheldon Keefe was vague and did not reveal if it was an upper or lower body injury for the veteran.

The Devils will continue their home stand and look to begin a winning streak when they take on the Pittsburgh Penguins in an early afternoon division battle on Saturday.

Ryan Nelke is an Assistant Sports Director and can be reached at nelkerya@shu.edu.

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