Hughes Scores Twice, Including OT, as Devils Top Blackhawks | GAME STORY

Jack Hughes said he expected his game to "pop" this season and go to another level. His game popped, twice, in a major way for the Devils in their home opening 4-3 overtime victory against the Chicago Blackhawks Friday night at Prudential Center.
Hughes scored two beautiful goals, including the overtime winner, to start the season off on strong footing. He carried end-to-end in the extra session, juking a defender to the ice before pulling the puck all around goaltender Kevin Lankinen for the winning score 57 seconds into OT. He screamed in celebration and tossed his stick over the glass and into the crowd.
"It was a 2-on-1 for most of the rink. i had a lot of options going through my mind during the skate," Hughes said. "(Ryan) Graves drove to the net. I had the patience to move the goalie and I had an empty net after that.
"I scored two goals, that's obviously pretty big. But I've played much, much better games in the NHL. It's good for us to win. It's good for me to get on the board."
Free agent summer signee Dougie Hamilton scored the season's first goal just 17 seconds after puck drop, followed by Hughes's first and Andreas Johnsson. The Blackhawks scored two late third-period goals to force overtime, where Hughes finished it off.
"It's kind of tough that we blew it in the end (of regulation)," Hamilton said. "It would be tough if Jack didn't make such a great play in overtime. We pulled it out. We have a lot to learn and get better. A couple days to do that and then move on to next game."
Nineteen-year-old rookie Dawson Mercer picked up his first career NHL point with as assist on Johnsson's goal, as did newcomer Tomas Tatar.
"I really liked our game," head coach Lindy Ruff said. "Tough ending to regulation, but just a great win in overtime. We did a lot of great things inside the game."
Chicago's Alex DeBrincat, Kirby Dach and Dominik Kubalik scored for the Blackhawks.

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WHAT'S NEXT
The Devils continue their homestand with their first-ever game against the Seattle Kraken this Tuesday coming up. The game can be seen on MSG+ and heard on the Devils Hockey Network, including right here at NewJerseyDevils.com. Puck drop is 7:08 p.m. ET.
Tickets are still available. Get them here
Here are some observations from the game...
- The Devils couldn't have asked for a better start to the game. In the opening seconds, Jesper Bratt forced a turnover by Jake McCabe in the offensive zone. The puck found Pavel Zacha, who pushed it across to Hamilton trailing the play. With the Blackhawks scrambling and confused on coverage, Hamilton was able to drift into the high slot untouched and rip a shot far side to light the lamp in just 17 seconds.

"Great pass and it wasn't my best shot but a good screen," Hamilton said. "I'm obviously happy it went."

First game. First shot. First goal. Welcome to New Jersey Dougie.

- Unfortunately, Bratt didn't received an assist on the play. But make no mistake, his pressure created the goal. - Jack Hughes averaged. 3.14 takeaways per 60 minutes during the 2020-21 season. That ranked fifth among all NHL players (minimum 30 games played). He recorded six (not a typo) takeaways in tonight's game. His propensity towards larceny led to his first goal of this season.

Charging toward the goal line to retrieve a dumped puck, Hughes intercepted Erik Gustafsson's shuffle pass attempt. Then he won a puck battle with Connor Murphy. Though his centering pass was blocked, he re-collected the puck, carried it in the circle and scored on a spinning fadeaway snap shot. It was an incredible individual effort. Super star effort.

- Johnsson came into camp wanting to "show more offense" after scoring just five goals all of last season. One game in, he's succeeded. Johnsson picked up his first goal of the year by driving to the net and finding a loose puck in the crease. He also created a lot of scoring opportunities for his linemates. He looks inspired and driven.

"I thought Andreas played his best game as a Devil, even going back to last year," Ruff said. "That line was in on a lot of good stuff and he was the lead for getting the opportunities."

- When Mercer made the Devils roster out of training camp, Ruff called him "an impressive young man." Mercer played his way onto the lineup, and it seems like every game he does something that catches your eye.

Mercer was strong in the defensive zone, never looking overwhelmed or out of position. And he really showed up in the offensive zone when his turning shot nearly beat goaltender Kevin Lankinen and died at the goal line for Johnsson to finish it off. Johnsson finished the play, but Mercer created the goal.

"That quick release probably bought us a goal," Ruff said. "For a young player, that's a great first game."

- The victory was nice, but there are certainly areas for improvement. The penalty kill surrendered two goals in five tries, with the second goal coming late in the third period while trying to kill four-minute kill. That third period man-advantage tally cut New Jersey's lead to 3-2 (Chicago's first two goals came on the power play).

In the final minute, New Jersey failed to hold the lead as Chicago pressured with an extra attacker and empty net.

It's still early in the season - it doesn't get any earlier than one game. But it wasn't the way the team wants to start down a man.