Jean-Gabriel Pageau is proving to be one of the NHL’s hottest goal scorers.
The 27-year-old Ottawa center notched his first regular-season hat trick, including the game-winning goal with just over two minutes left, as the Senators rallied in the third period to defeat the New Jersey Devils 4-2 on Wednesday night.
“He’s consistent and hardworking daily,” said Ottawa goalie Craig Anderson. “He’s got underrated skill—people don’t realize how good his shot and hands are. He’s always in the right place at the right time.”
Pageau, now in his eighth season with Ottawa and a contract year, has scored eight goals in his last six games, bringing his total to 11 in 18 games. His career-high for a season is 19 goals, set in 2015-16.
“My linemates have been great,” Pageau said, referring to Nick Paul and Connor Brown. “We’ve developed good chemistry on and off the ice. We’re all hard workers who keep it simple, and that’s what’s clicking right now.”
Ottawa defenseman Mark Borowiecki tied the game with 6:30 left in the third period, and Pageau secured the win by capitalizing on a rebound after Paul’s shot hit the post. Pageau then completed his hat trick with an empty-net goal with 26 seconds remaining.
Senators coach D.J. Smith praised Pageau’s intelligence on the ice. Pageau has two career playoff hat tricks and currently leads the NHL with a plus-19 rating this season.
“He’s smart and waits for you to make a mistake, then makes you pay,” Smith said.
Anderson made 21 saves, including a crucial breakaway stop on Taylor Hall midway through the third period when the Devils were leading 2-1.
Will Butcher and Wayne Simmonds scored for New Jersey, which was returning from a five-game road trip. Mackenzie Blackwood made 21 saves, but the Devils lost another late lead—their sixth blown lead of the season.
“We’re too far into the season to keep having the same breakdowns,” Devils captain Andy Greene said. “We’ve lost too many games this way. We must be smarter, tougher, and harder to play against.”
Borowiecki’s tying goal came from a rising shot at the top of the left circle. The game-winner followed as Paul’s shot hit the post, and Pageau buried the rebound into an open net.
Blackwood made several key saves throughout the game, including stops on Chris Tierney, Brady Tkachuk, and Anthony Duclair late in the second and early in the third periods, keeping the Devils ahead 2-1 at the time.
New Jersey took leads of 1-0 and 2-1 in the first period on goals from Simmonds and Butcher.
Simmonds scored at 4:19 with a breakaway goal, assisted by Miles Wood. Pageau tied it at 14:54, scoring on the rebound of a shot from a tough angle by Brown. Butcher restored New Jersey’s lead with just over two minutes left in the period with a shot that deflected off Anderson’s shoulder and into the net.
Game Notes
- Blackwood has started nine of the last 11 games for New Jersey.
- The teams will meet two more times this season, both in Ottawa.
- New Jersey defenseman Sami Vatanen missed his second straight game with an upper-body injury.
- The Senators are 4 for 62 on the power play this season after failing on their only opportunity Wednesday.
Up Next
- Senators: Return to Ottawa to face the Philadelphia Flyers on Friday night.
- Devils: Host the Pittsburgh Penguins on Friday night.
