Jesper Bratt’s Stellar Performance
Jesper Bratt emerged as the star of the night, scoring twice and assisting another, aiding the New Jersey Devils in their 4-2 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes on Thursday. The match saw an impressive display from Devils’ defenseman Dougie Hamilton, who seized the lead for the team, 3-2, with just 9:25 left on the clock. This happened after Carolina’s Andrei Svechnikov evened the score 12 seconds into the final period.
Bratt managed his tenth goal of the season and his second in the game during a power play, which happened with 5:55 left on the clock. This goal marked the fourth for the Devils. The opening score for Carolina came from Jack Roslovic at 8:43 into the first, but Bratt quickly evened it out with 5:15 remaining in the same period.
Highlights and Key Players
Stefan Noesen pushed New Jersey ahead at the beginning of the second period, scoring a power-play goal just 46 seconds into the period. Roslovic, who only managed nine goals in 59 games last season, has significantly improved his performance with 11 goals in 19 games for the Hurricanes.
The Devils’ victory was also supported by Jacob Markstrom’s 20 saves, while Spencer Martin of the Hurricanes managed 17.
New Jersey’s Takeaways and Carolina’s Setback
Jack Hughes, with three assists under his belt, maintained his robust performance for New Jersey. He is currently second on the team with 25 points, including eight goals.
On the other hand, the Hurricanes announced on the same day that veteran goaltender Frederik Andersen is scheduled for knee surgery and will be absent for the next eight to 12 weeks. Andersen, with a record of 3-1-0 this season, will be sorely missed, as Martin fell to a 1-2-0 record.
Crucial Moments and Stats
A key moment in the game was when Markstrom denied all seven shots aimed by Carolina in the second period, maintaining it as a one-goal contest. The Devils showed their home prowess with a record of 5-3-2, and an impressive 8-4-0 on the road.
What’s Next?
The Devils are scheduled to face the Washington Capitals on Saturday, while the Hurricanes will be visiting the Columbus Blue Jackets on the same day.
