Luke Hughes’ Big Night; Devils Unpretty vs. Blackhawks; Halt Skid

The New Jersey Devils went into the Windy City and did what they were supposed to do against the Chicago Blackhawks.

As a playoff-bound team, despite their recent skid, the Devils defeated the Blackhawks by controlling the majority of the play. The game was probably a bit closer than the Devils would have liked. However, they got the job done and ended their losing streak, even if in unspectacular fashion.

The Devils struck quick twice early in the contest on goals by Nathan Bastian and Timo Meier. Each goal was facilitated by Luke Hughes, who collected two primary assists in the first 6:50 of the tilt in Chicago.

After collecting 38 apples in his rookie year, Hughes’ first assist of the night registered his second 30-assist campaign, with nine games remaining on the schedule.

Yet, the Devils couldn’t maintain their two-goal lead for very long.

Simon Nemec was assessed an interference minor which sent New Jersey to the penalty kill. While down a man, Dawson Mercer tried to intercept a pass from the high slot to the right circle. He was in position, too. Yet, the Devils forward flubbed on the pass, leaving the door open for Ryan Donato to feed Bertuzzi back-door for an easy tap-in goal. Thus, it was a 2-1 Devils lead 9:06 into the first period.

The Devils cleaned up after the Bertuzzi goal and went into the first intermission with a one-goal lead.

Just three minutes into the second period, Jesper Bratt set up Ondrej Palat for his 14th goal of the season. Yet, it was another short-lived multi-goal lead as Ilya Mikheyev brought the Blackhawks back within striking distance two minutes later.

Chicago nearly tied the game when the Blackhawks celebrated what they thought was Donato’s second goal of the game. However, the goal was reversed when it was determined to have been deflected with a high stick.

Logan Slaggart was called for roughing against Nemec at the 10:37 mark of the second period. Hughes floated Mercer the puck at the left circle, and the Devils forward recognized the open ice in front of him. Taking advantage of the space, Mercer fired a shot off the right post and in, increasing the Devils’ lead to 4-2.

Mercer’s goal registered Luke Hughes’ third assist of the night, two of which were primary.

The Devils nearly managed to lock down the third period. However, a late push halfway through the final frame by Chiacgo saw them cut New Jersey’s lead by one goal, again. Frank Nazar tapped in a rebound left by Jacob Markstrom and it became a 4-3 game with just under three minutes remaining.

The Blackhawks pulled Spencer Knight with one minute remaining, and Stefan Noesen scored to seal the 5-3 victory for the Devils.

Markstrom made 21 saves on 24 shots, and turned aside 1/2 power play chances.

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