Jesper Bratt and Ondrej Palat each scored twice as the New Jersey Devils pulled away in the third period to defeat the Minnesota Wild 5-2 on Monday night, snapping a four-game losing streak.
Dawson Mercer chipped in a goal and an assist, while Nico Hischier and Dougie Hamilton each recorded two helpers. Jacob Markstrom stopped 20 shots for New Jersey.
For Minnesota, Ryan Hartman and Marcus Foligno found the net, and Jesper Wallstedt made 24 saves. The Wild suffered just their second regulation loss in 10 games.
Bratt delivered the decisive burst early in the third period, scoring twice in a span of 21 seconds to stretch New Jersey’s lead to 4-1. He first finished a feed from Hamilton in tight, then redirected Hamilton’s point shot for his 11th goal of the season.
Palat, who entered the night with just two goals, added his second of the game at 9:39 of the third when Mercer slipped a centering pass across the crease. Foligno closed the scoring with a late power-play goal for Minnesota.
Mercer opened the scoring midway through the first period on New Jersey’s first shot, hammering a one-timer from the right circle after a pass from Hischier. Hartman tied it late in the second by tipping Brock Faber’s point shot through traffic.
Palat restored the Devils’ lead with just eight seconds left in the second period, finishing another setup from Hischier.
The matchup marked the third NHL meeting between Wild defenseman Quinn Hughes and his younger brothers, Devils forwards Jack and Luke Hughes.
Up next
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Devils: Host the Seattle Kraken on Wednesday night.
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Wild: Welcome the Winnipeg Jets on Thursday night.
