Hischier Scores Three for Devils, NJD Win 5-2 Over Predators

Published: Tuesday, November 26, 2024

by Patrick Corsello

NEWARK, NJ – The New Jersey Devils beat the Nashville Predators 5-2 on Monday night with help from Nico Hischier, who put up his first career NHL hat trick in the second period. These three goals were crucial for NJD, as the captain truly put the team on his back in this one. 

The Devils went on the power play in just the first minute of the game, as Nashville defenseman Alexandre Carrier took a minor penalty for hooking. The Devils had a hot start, tallying six shots on the power play, but Nashville were able to keep the puck out of the net.  

Soon after, Nashville got on the board first, as Filip Forsberg threw a wrist shot on net from along the boards past Jacob Markstrom on the high blocker side. The pace of play now seemed to have change from the first few minutes, as Nashville were now controlling the play despite only having one shot on goal up to this point.  

The Devils battled back, peppering goaltender Juuse Saros with shots, but had trouble breaking through. Fortunately, a crisp tic-tac-toe sequence resulted in an Erik Haula goal about midway through the first period.  
Haula took a penalty for hooking late in the period, but Nashville was unable to capitalize.  Despite the shots being heavily in favor of the Devils, period one ended tied at one. 

As the second period started, the Devils looked to keep the offensive pressure on the Predators. Unfortunately for NJD, “kill” chants soon rang from the crowd, as Timo Meier immediately took a penalty for tripping. Nashville was able to get a few shots off, but Markstrom and the Devils kept the puck out of the net and the game remained 1-1.

From this point out, the teams went back & forth, until Hischier raced up the ice on the right wing side and put one five hole between the legs of Saros. This gave the Devils the lead early into period two. Though that wasn’t all for Hischier, as the Preds took a bench minor resulting in another goal for Hischier, this time on the power play.

Hischier then began to really pour it on, lighting the lamp once again late in period two. A three-goal period for Hischier officially gave him the hat trick and gave the Devils a 4-1 lead. This would do it for the second, as NJD took a their lead of three into period three. 

Former Devils goalie Scott Wedgewood would start the third period for Nashville, as Saros’s night ended after the flurry of goals in period two. Zachary L’Heureux scored in the third for Nashville but it wasn’t enough, as the Devils continued their steady play throughout the remainder of the match. New Jersey won the game 5-2 after Justin Dowling scored an empty net goal for his first of the season for the Devils.  

The Devils, now on a three-game winning streak, will face the St. Louis Blues at home on Wednesday night. Afterwards, they will head to Detroit for a Black Friday matchup against the Red Wings. 

Patrick Corsello is an Assistant Music Director and can be reached at patrick.corsello@student.shu.edu. 

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