Credit: Nico Hischier
Devils Stay Afloat in Playoff Race Thanks to Hischier Overtime Winner
Published: Thursday, January 29, 2026
by Ryan Nelke
NEWARK, N.J. - The New Jersey Devils (28-24-2) came back to defeat the Nashville Predators (24-23-6) 3-2 in overtime on Thursday night at the Prudential Center.
Nashville was the first to break the ice early on, as just over five minutes in and on their first shot of the night, Michael McCarron got a piece of the loose puck in front of the net, sneaking by New Jersey netminder Jacob Markstrom. Jonathan Marchessault and Cole Smith would be credited with the assists.
While the Devils continued to fire shots on Predators’ goalie Justus Annunen, nothing could get past him. That was not the worst news from the early going, as Jack Hughes was seen leaving the bench and going down the tunnel, followed by a trainer. He would return briefly for one shift, but left the bench for good shortly thereafter.
The period would come to a close with New Jersey leading in shots 13-7, but Nashville holding the 1-0 advantage.
Out of the intermission, the Devils opened the second with their first power play chance of the game just under three minutes in, but could not capitalize on the man advantage.
However, New Jersey would find the equalizer one tick after the halfway mark when Dougie Hamilton rang one of the top of the crossbar and into the back of the net from the right circle, tying the game at one. Lenni Hameenaho and Arseny Gritsyuk would tally the assists on the game-tying goal.
Nashville would get a man advantage of their own with just under eight to go in the second on a Hamilton minor penalty, but Markstrom made several outstanding saves on Predator shots.
Not long after, the second period would come to a close with both teams knotted up at one apiece.
The Predators did not take long to get going in the third, as a minute and a half in, Filip Forsberg beat Markstrom on a one-timer to recapture the lead. Adam Wilsby would notch the assist.
A hooking minor on Nashville’s Smith would give New Jersey the chance to tie it up, but once again came up short on the power play.
Despite this, the Devils would manage to even things up once again on a broken play where Jesper Bratt found himself on a semi-breakaway and outdueled Annunen, making the game a 2-2 stalemate. Dawson Mercer would bring home the lone assist.
Minutes later, the Predators got a chance to retake the lead on a questionable tripping minor from Gritsyuk, but could not find the back of the net. The Devils got a late power play opportunity after Smith was charged with his second minor penalty of the period, but like Nashville, they could not secure the go-ahead goal.
Neither team would be able to get it done in regulation, and would head off to overtime, with the Devils desperately needing to take the extra point.
With the Devils needing to get every point possible due to their current position in the standings, the captain made sure of that, scoring on a slap shot 42 seconds into overtime, with Mercer registering the assist. With the overtime winner, Hischier would be rewarded with the first star of the game honor.
Following the win, New Jersey will take their last road trip before the Olympic break, as they head to Ottawa for a 7 p.m. Saturday night battle with the Senators, before returning home for two more games against the Blue Jackets and Islanders.
Ryan Nelke is an Assistant Sports Director and can be reached at nelkerya@shu.edu.Posted in: sports,