Devils Earn Victory Over Blackhawks, End 3-Game Skid
On Wednesday, the New Jersey Devils earned two points in a must-win game against the Chicago Blackhawks at the United Center, celebrating a 5-3 victory. Nathan Bastian, Timo Meier, Ondrej Palat, Dawson Mercer, and Stefan Noesen scored. Goaltender Jacob Markstrom made 21 saves on 24 shots for a .875 save percentage.
Mar 26, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; New Jersey Devils right wing Nathan Bastian (14) celebrates his goal against the Chicago Blackhawks during the first period at United Center. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn ImagesIn his return to the lineup after serving as a healthy scratch, Bastian scored the game's opening goal at the 6:23 mark of the first period. Luke Hughes and Tomas Tatar assisted the 6-foot-4 winger's fourth goal of the season.
"You get taken out of the lineup just because you are flat-out not playing well enough, so it is unfortunate, but it kind of gives you a chance to reset. Sometimes guys need that, and they don't know that they need that," Bastian said to NJD.TV. "I felt a little more jump today, I was excited to play. It was really nice to make the most of it."
Meier extended New Jersey's lead 27 seconds later. While the Devils were on the power play, the Swiss forward scored his eighth goal of the month. Meier Madness lives on.
The Blackhawks potted their first of the night with 10 minutes remaining in the opening frame. Devils defenseman Simon Nemec was called for interference against Tyler Bertuzzi, and seven seconds into the power play, Bertuzzi scored.
New Jersey entered the first intermission with a 2-1 lead.
Palat extended his team's lead to 3-1 three minutes into the second period while the Devils were shorthanded. Jesper Bratt picked up the lone assist to tie his career-high in points for a single season (83).
The Blackhawks pulled within one with Ilya Mikheyev 17th's goal of the season. Chicago briefly believed the game was tied, but the goal was called back due to a high stick.
Mercer scored New Jersey's fourth goal on the power play. Hughes picked up his third assist of the night, and with his secondary assist, Bratt earned a career-high in points for a single season with 84.
The Devils skated into the second intermission with a 4-2 lead.
With three minutes remaining, the Blackhawks pulled their goaltender, Spencer Knight, for the extra attacker. Frank Nazar pulled his team within one for a 4-3 score. Connor Bedard picked up his first point against the Devils on the play as he was credited with the secondary assist.
Noesen hit the empty net with seconds remaining to seal a 5-3 victory. It marked his 20th goal of the season and the first time the 32-year-old hit the milestone. Nico Hischier picked up the lone assist to extend his point streak to eight games, which matched his career high.
The Devils will continue their road trip and travel north to play the Winnipeg Jets on Friday night at Canada Life Centre.
"Just what we needed for the start of the road trip," Mercer said to NJD.TV. "Get two points under our belt and be happy with our game, moving on now for the next one. It's great when everyone contributes when we get a win like that."
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