Chicago, IL - In a thrilling Wednesday night matchup, defenseman Simon Nemec propelled the New Jersey Devils to a 4-3 overtime victory against the Chicago Blackhawks, completing his first career hat trick in dramatic fashion. The 21-year-old Slovakian native scored the game-winning goal 3:28 into overtime, securing the win for the Eastern Conference-leading Devils.
The game was a hard-fought battle, with the Blackhawks taking the lead three times, only to be answered by the resilient Devils. Chicago opened the scoring with a power-play goal from Connor Bedard, his fourth consecutive game with a goal and extending his point streak to nine games. Bedard now has eight goals and 11 assists during this run.
The Devils faced adversity early, losing forwards Zack MacEwen and Cody Glass to injuries in the first period, forcing them to play with just eleven forwards for nearly 40 minutes. MacEwen went down hard into the end-boards, while Glass, after briefly returning for a shift in the second period, ultimately left the game due to discomfort.
Despite the setbacks, Nemec tied the game at 1-1 with just 15 seconds remaining in the second period, tucking a backhander inside the post. Chicago regained the lead early in the third when Landon Slaggert, just recalled from the AHL's Rockford IceHogs, scored at 3:05. Dawson Mercer responded for the Devils, tying the game at 2-2 with a one-timer off a feed from Jack Hughes.
Sam Lafferty then put the Blackhawks ahead 3-2 with a highlight-reel goal at 6:28 of the third. However, Nemec answered again, tying the game at 3-3 with a one-timer from the left side with 4:46 left in regulation, assisted again by Hughes.
In overtime, after Jacob Markstrom made a stop, Nemec took a stretch pass from Markstrom, skated in, and beat Blackhawks goalie Spencer Knight high on the glove side to seal the victory and complete his hat trick. It was Nemec's second straight game with a goal and his first multi-goal game after not scoring in his initial 15 games this season. Markstrom ended the night with 17 saves. Knight played well for the Blackhawks, stopping 33 shots.
The Devils have now won their last seven games against the Blackhawks. Nico Hischier contributed an assist on Nemec's first goal, marking his 434th NHL point and placing him among the top-five Swiss-born players in NHL scoring.
Ryan Donato of the Blackhawks played in his 500th NHL game.
The Devils will continue their road trip against the Washington Capitals on Saturday. The Blackhawks will host the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday.
