The Devils built a 6-2 lead heading into the third period against the Florida Panthers, thanks in part to Yegor Sharangovich's first-career hat trick. But a spirited four-goal third period by Florida forced extra time.
Gustav Forsling scored in overtime, his second of the game, to complete the comeback and a 7-6 win for Florida Saturday afternoon at Prudential Center.
"It's 6-2 going into the third period," defenseman Damon Severson said. "We had full control of the game. We couldn't keep the puck out of our net. … We're up 6-2. We have to find a way.
"When you're up 6-2 in the NHL, you shouldn't lose the game 7-6. Simple as that. That's brutal."
Jack Hughes, Janne Kuokkanen and Andreas Johnsson also tallied for New Jersey as Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky, the NHL's Third Star for the month of March, was chased after two periods.
Ben Chiarot, Radko Gudas, Brandon Montour, including the winner, and Aleksander Barkov (2) posted goals for Florida.
Sharangovich's Hat Trick Spoiled by Panthers' Comeback | GAME STORY
Florida scores four in the third period in an eventual 7-6 overtime victory
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The Devils continue their four-game homestand Sunday against the NY Islanders. The game can be seen on TNT and heard on the Devils Hockey Network, including right here at NewJerseyDevils.com. Puck drop is 4:08 p.m. ET.
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Here are some observations from the game...
- Hats off to Yegor Sharangovich. Literally.
Though he got off to a slow start to the season, Sharangovich has once again found his scoring touch. He failed to score in his first 13 games of the season (and that doesn't count two games of which he was a healthy scratch). He finally broke through with a pair of goals in a victory at Tampa Bay in late November. His goal production has been much more consistent since then. In February, he recorded a four-game goal scoring streak, and notched five goals in six games. Now he has his first-career hat trick to add to the resume and is one tally shy of 20.
"After getting off to a tough start, his last 30, 40 games has been something that we expected," head coach Lindy Ruff said. "It's fun to score a hat trick. He won't look at it that ways after losing the hockey game. A lot of good in the way he played, a lot of good in the way he's finishing."
- Sharangovich's improved output is a result of being more aggressive around the net and not just staying around the perimeter. Sharangovich has been scoring with regularity from the slot or around the crease, and that was no different against Florida. On his first goal, Sharangovich found a rebound while at the blue paint and quickly snapped it in. On his second goal, he stopped an Andreas Johnsson pass, pivoted and snapped off a hard shot that hit goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky and powered its way into the net.
The hats off goal came shorthanded. Sharangovich chipped the puck ahead and was able to reach the bouncing rubber in the offensive zone. He settled the puck, gave a knee kick to fool Bobrovsky, who bit on the shot. Then Sharangovich pulled the puck to his backhand and roofed into the net as the hats rained down.
- Jack Hughes continues to be, well, Jack Hughes. Meaning, he continues to score and find his name on the scoresheet. He picked up his 26th goal of the season after a Bobrovsky's passed was intercepted and he beat him five-hole.
Hughes, 20, tied his career high point streak at six games and nine total points (7G-2A). He has 36 points (17G-19A) in his past 28 games. He's also tallied seven goals in the past six contests.
- With the scratching of Miles Wood, forward Janne Kuokkanen was able to get back into the lineup. With a fully healthy roster, Kuokkanen is a bubble player without a guaranteed position in the lineup. In fact, he was removed from Injured Reserve but still scratched Thursday in Boston. So, he has to make the most of his every opportunity in the final 15 games of the season to show that he belongs.
Kuokkanen, who missed the past 21 games with a wrist injury, made an immediate impact by scoring his sixth goal of the year, and his first since Dec. 31 against Edmonton. It was an incredible goal and amazing display of hands in tight as he deke Bobrovsky and pulled the puck around him for the score. The tally snapped a 13-game goal-less drought. Koukkanen also picked up an assist while setting up Johnsson's goal in the second period.
- Another player that needs to earn his way into the lineup is Johnsson, who had gone 18 straight games without a goal coming into the contest. He snapped that drought in the second frame with his 12th goal of the year. It was his first goal since Jan. 31 against Toronto. - Speaking of that Johnsson goal, it was the result of a great effort from Jesper Boqvist being strong on a puck in the offensive zone and forcing the play to Kuokkanen for the eventual goal. - Goaltender Andrew Hammond made his Devils debut. The 34-year-old veteran, who was acquired at the trade deadline, returned from a lower-body injury and helped the team set a new franchise record with seven different goalies seeing action in a single season.
