Dawson Mercer’s first two-goal game in the NHL was crucial for the New Jersey Devils, helping them overcome two short-handed goals to secure a 5-3 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes on Tuesday night.
“I’m an offensive player, but I like playing defense and that two-way game,” said Mercer, a 2020 first-round draft pick. “To help contribute out there and get this big win is a huge thing for me, and I want to make sure I can keep it going.”
Mercer scored his 10th goal of the season at 8:53 of the third period, giving New Jersey its first lead of the game. Playing in his 123rd NHL game, Mercer also added an assist.
The Devils began a five-game road trip with their third win in four games, closing the gap on the first-place Hurricanes at the midway point of the season for the top two teams in the Metropolitan Division.
“We played one of our best third periods of the year,” said New Jersey coach Lindy Ruff.
Jonas Siegenthaler, Jesper Boqvist, and Nico Hischier also scored for New Jersey, with Hischier’s empty-net goal coming with 55 seconds left. Michael McLeod contributed two assists.
Goalie Vitek Vanecek made 25 saves, earning his fourth consecutive win.
“We never quit,” Siegenthaler said. “It’s not always easy to make a comeback.”
Jesperi Kotkaniemi, Max Pacioretty, and Sebastian Aho scored for the Hurricanes, who lost their fourth straight game (0-3-1) after surrendering a two-goal lead in the second period’s final minute. Pyotr Kochetkov made 17 saves.
“They got the one (in the third) and then didn’t give us much,” said Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour. “We should have got more out of those first two periods.”
Despite conceding two short-handed goals, the Devils remained resilient.
“When we had our opportunities, we took advantage of them. … You can’t let that get to your head,” Mercer said. “All we can do is make sure we change that and keep pushing.”
Mercer’s first goal came with 52 seconds left in the second period, maneuvering the puck past Kochetkov despite the presence of three Carolina players. Boqvist’s fourth goal of the season followed just 18 seconds later.
“That last-minute kill killed us, there’s no doubt,” Brind’Amour said. But we didn’t respond in the third.”
Pacioretty’s third goal in three games since returning to the lineup came when he pursued the puck behind the net and knocked it off Devils center Yegor Sharangovich at 8:50 of the second period.
Aho’s 13th goal later in the period marked Carolina’s second short-handed tally.
Kotkaniemi’s seventh goal of the season opened the scoring with his first career short-handed goal, set up by Martin Necas winning a faceoff and delivering a pass to Kotkaniemi.
Siegenthaler’s second goal of the season came from a shot on the left side, slipping between the post and Kochetkov’s pad. Kochetkov was seeking his first win since Dec. 20, though it was just his third appearance due to an injury.
ICE MATTERS
- New Jersey is 8-1-1 when outshot by opponents this season.
- The Hurricanes scored two short-handed goals in a game for the first time since April 2021.
- Pacioretty is the fourth player in franchise history to score three goals in his first three games. Erik Haula, who played for the Devils on Tuesday night, is also on that list.
- The Devils improved to 1-1-1 in three meetings with Carolina. The teams will face off again on March 12 in New Jersey.
UP NEXT
- Devils: At Anaheim on Friday.
- Hurricanes: At Columbus on Thursday.
