Hughes brothers, Jesper Bratt lead Devils past Senators

Field Level Media|published: Fri 29th December, 22:02 2023

Apr 24, 2023; New York, New York, USA; New Jersey Devils head coach Lindy Ruff coaches against the New York Rangers during the second period in game four of the first round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Madison Square Garden. credits: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Brothers Jack and Luke Hughes collected a goal and two assists apiece, Jesper Bratt had a goal and three assists, and the visiting New Jersey Devils erased an early deficit to beat the Ottawa Senators 6-2 on Friday.

Jack Hughes scored on a power play to tie the game at 1-1 and notched his ninth game this season with at least three points. Luke Hughes scored New Jersey's final goal after setting up his older brother's and Bratt's power-play tallies.

Bratt finished with his second four-point game of the season. He set up Jack Hughes' 15th goal and markers by Tyler Toffoli and defenseman Brendan Smith.

The Devils got a third straight win for the fourth time this season. Dawson Mercer also scored for New Jersey.

Drake Batherson and Jacob Bernard-Docker scored for the Senators, who were unable to get a third straight win.

New Jersey goalie Nico Daws highlighted a 25-save performance in his season debut by stopping Brady Tkachuk and Josh Norris on breakaways. Daws, who had a long recovery from hip surgery, made his first NHL start since April 16, 2022, after Akira Schmid was sent to Utica of the American Hockey League.

Ottawa goalie Joonas Korpisalo allowed six goals on 30 shots.

After Batherson opened the scoring with 10:13 left in the first, Jack Hughes ripped a shot from the left circle that sailed past Ottawa defenseman Artem Zub and by Korpisalo's left arm.

The Devils took the lead in the final seconds by keeping the puck alive in the offensive zone. Nico Hischier dove to intercept defenseman Ridly Greig's clearing attempt, and Bratt finished the sequence with a wrist shot from the right circle.

In the second period, shortly after Daws denied Tkachuk on a breakaway, Mercer got the puck along the left boards. He skated past Greig and Zub before lifting a shot from the right circle over Korpisalo's glove with 12:43 remaining.

Following a giveaway by Vladimir Tarasenko in the corner to Hughes, Bratt found Toffoli in the slot, and the Devils went up 4-1 on Toffoli's 15th of the season with 5:13 remaining.

—Field Level Media

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