3 Takeaways from Devils’ Resilient 3-2 OT Win Over Predators – The Hockey Writers – New Jersey Devils

Jack Hughes Leaves With Injury

Three minutes and 15 seconds into the opening frame, Jack Hughes took his second shift of the game. There were no indications that anything was ailing him, yet he went down the tunnel following 55 seconds on the ice.

He re-appeared a little over three minutes later and hopped over the boards for his line’s next shift. After 42 seconds, he headed back down the tunnel and did not return for the rest of the game.

After the contest, head coach Sheldon Keefe said, “[Jack] tweaked something in the game, but I guess the update would just simply be we don’t believe it’s a serious thing at this point in terms of length and time. In terms of his availability for the road trip, we’ll determine that tomorrow.”

He also classified the injury as lower body. Hughes has missed 103 of 506 games in his career — just over 20%. The Devils and their fans will hope that doesn’t turn into 104+.

Stars Come Alive

Needless to say, it hasn’t always been smooth sailing for the Devils’ top players this season. All of Hughes, Nico Hischier, Jesper Bratt and Timo Meier are on pace for fewer points than 2024-25.

But tonight, with their star forward out, both Bratt and Hischier stepped up big time. First, Bratt — who has struggled to finish all season (minus-4.7 goals scored above expected) — came through with extreme patience as he waited out goaltender Justus Annunen and roofed it, tying the game at two.

Then, with a crucial second point up for grabs, Hischier unloaded a lethal slapshot from 41.9 feet out, perfectly placed past Annunen for the huge win. “I think that’s definitely a risky shot, but I kind of saw the D wasn’t really gapping up on me, and I took the chance,” said Hischier postgame. “Luckily, it went in. If not, I think coach wouldn’t be happy at all.”

#NJDevils HC Sheldon Keefe with a Chel reference!

“I felt like [Nico] was holding onto the button for a long time loading up.” pic.twitter.com/wonyJ33KuG

— Daniel Amoia (@daniel_amoia) January 30, 2026

Winning goaltender Jacob Markstrom added, “I feel like all game you could see [Nico’s] will on the ice. He wants it bad every shift.”

Dougie Hamilton Giveth, Dougie Hamilton Taketh

Dougie Hamilton’s second period goal to give the Devils a 2-1 lead extended his point streak to ten games (12 points). That’s the longest active streak in the entire NHL and tied with Jakob Chychrun for the longest by a defenseman this season.

In fact, he would need points in just his next two games to tie the franchise record, when Scott Stevens recorded points in 12 straight in 1994. However, the increased production in terms of points is just a small portion of the story.

Over the last few games, Hamilton has caused a multitude of defensive breakdowns that led to goals against. On Sunday in Seattle, their game-winning goal was a result of Hamilton’s mishap. Then, two of Winnipeg’s four goals on Tuesday could be pinpointed on Hamilton — another loss for the Devils.

Not too long after his goal, an ill-advised and weak clearing attempt by Hamilton up the middle of the ice led to a tying goal for Nashville.

Filip Forsberg extends his #Preds record of reaching 20 goals in a season for the 10th time. Nashville out front 2-1 in New Jersey. pic.twitter.com/0vA7QxizEB

— Nick Kieser🏒 (@KieserNick) January 30, 2026

Is this ramped up point production from Hamilton worth the defensive sacrifices? Well, during these 10 games, he’s a plus-1. Prior to that, he was a minus-6.

During this streak, high danger chances are 29-28 in favor of the opposition with Hamilton on the ice. Sometimes, it’ll work out. Other times, it won’t. But it probably beats the alternative of Hamilton not scoring much at all; he’s ramped up his scoring pace by over 420%.

Moving Forward

The Devils — now 28-24-2 — will look to win a second straight on Saturday as they head to Ottawa to face the Senators (7:00 PM EST).