Luke Hughes scored the decisive goal early in the third period and added an assist as the New Jersey Devils stormed back with three goals in under two minutes, rallying for a 3-2 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets on Wednesday night.
Hughes snapped the tie 4:45 into the final frame with a quick shot from the slot, capping a dramatic turnaround after New Jersey entered the third period trailing 2-0. The goal gave Hughes his 28th career multi-point game, tying franchise legend Rob Ramage for the most by a Devils defenseman before turning 23.
Nico Hischier and Arseny Gritsyuk also found the net during the rapid comeback. It marked the Devils’ first win of the season when trailing after two periods and their first multi-goal comeback since November 2024.
Goaltender Jake Allen was key in preserving the victory, turning aside 34 shots, including a crucial stop on Kirill Marchenko late in the third period.
Columbus had taken control early. Mason Marchment opened the scoring in the first period, becoming the first player in franchise history to record a point in his first five games with the Blue Jackets. Jake Coyle added the second goal, with Boone Jenner earning an assist to reach the 400-point milestone in his Columbus career.
The Devils’ rally began just four seconds into a Columbus penalty when Hischier redirected a point shot from Hughes. Gritsyuk tied the game 55 seconds later on a rush chance, setting the stage for Hughes’ winner.
Jet Greaves made 30 saves for Columbus, whose two-game winning streak came to an end.
Up Next
-
Devils: Host Utah on Saturday.
-
Blue Jackets: Host Buffalo on Saturday.
