Wild, Devils proceed back-to-back as they jockey for playoff positioning

The visiting Devils scored 28 seconds into the sport and beat the Wild 5-2 on Saturday.

Each groups want to enhance their playoff place. The Devils are trailing the Carolina Hurricanes for second place within the Metropolitan Division. They’ve a stable lead over the New York Rangers for third place.

Minnesota is tied with St. Louis atop the Western Convention wild-card race, six factors behind the Colorado Avalanche for third place within the Central Division.

The Wild open a three-game street journey on Monday and 5 of their final eight video games are on the street, the place they’re among the many finest within the NHL with 47 factors .

Nico Hischier scored his second hat trick of the season within the Devils win on Saturday, setting a brand new profession excessive for targets in a single season with 33.

“I believe generally the puck bounces proper in entrance of you, generally you are able to do as a lot as you need and it would not go in,” Hischier stated. “So, I am glad tonight it labored out and I used to be in a position to assist the group that method.”

Hischier has factors in 9 of his final 10 video games with seven targets and 6 assists.

Paul Cotter and Tomas Tatar additionally scored, and Jesper Bratt had two assists for New Jersey, which bounced again from a 4-0 loss on the Winnipeg Jets on Friday. Jacob Markstrom made 22 saves for the Devils, who’ve gained two of three after shedding three straight.

“I simply actually thought it was a decided effort,” Devils coach Sheldon Keefe stated. “To me, it was a type of nights the place you were not going to be denied. There is no panic within the group within the third interval. … Lot of issues to like about our group tonight.”

Stefan Noesen boosted his 2024-25 totals to twenty targets and 18 assists for 38 factors, establishing a brand new profession excessive for factors in a season.

Ahead Luke Hughes returned to the Devils lineup and had one help and three photographs in 19:55 after sitting out Friday’s recreation with a lower-body harm.

Marcus Foligno had a aim and an help, and Ryan Hartman additionally scored Friday for Minnesota, which has misplaced three of 4. Filip Gustavsson made 28 saves.

“I simply thought from the drop of the puck, mentally and bodily we weren’t the place we would have liked to be, and it lasted all through the sport,” Wild coach John Hynes stated.

The Wild fell behind 2-0 early and by no means tied it, although Hartman’s aim pulled them inside 3-2 at 5:22 of the third interval.

“We put ourselves down too early,” Hartman stated. “That is a superb group that you just acquired to indicate up prepared. We handed them two targets which is unacceptable at the moment of the yr.”

The Wild acquired some excellent news when injured forwards Kirill Kaprizov and Joel Eriksson Ek practiced with the complete group. Each are anticipated to journey with the group this week, however it’s unclear if they may play throughout the journey.

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