The big moments continue to find Simon Nemec, and the 21 year old Slovak does not disappoint. With just four seconds left on Monday, Nemec stole a point for New Jersey, unleashing a rocket of a slapper through traffic to send the game into OT. Just over 48 hours later the former #2 overall pick gave the hockey world an encore. First with two huge momentum shifting, game tying goals in regulation (both beauties might I add) and lastly the overtime game winning snipe over the shoulder of Spencer “I’m trying to ruin Devils fans” Knight. While some may have viewed his Game 3 playoff heroics last spring as an outlier, it has become evident to be not that, but a springboard that has launched Nemo to the next level.
With numerous injuries on D for New Jersey, Nemec has made the most of his additional workload. In a game that saw Connor Bedard and Jack Hughes both dazzle, Nemec made it clear that he was the most dynamic player on the ice last night. Over 26 minutes of ice time, 3 goals, 5 shots, a +4 rating, zero give aways and unlimited ice in his veins. A mighty impressive stat line it was for the young Euro whose future in the league was questioned by many just less than a year ago.
Quick Hits:
Luke Hughes
While it was an amazing game for Nemec, Luke did not have his best effort, defensively at least. Despite carrying a lot of offensive play (1 assist and 7 SOG) Luke struggled with a massive turnover on a weak backhand play deep in his own zone to give the Hawks the lead in the third. He also got posterized by Chi town’s fourth line, speed demon “Lafferty, Samuel” (Happy Gilmore reference), getting walked like a Standard Poodle in the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show for another go ahead tally with just six minutes to go. Lucky for Luke brother Jack, Stefan Noesen and Nemec again, posted bail for the 22 year old who had one of his worst defensive games in a while.
Don’t worry, he’s still “Future Hall of Famer, Luke Hughes” in my eyes. Just a rough game for a young D-man that the Devils are asking a ton from. He’s grown year by year, month by month, week by week, and will continue to flourish as one of the games best back enders in due time.
Jacob Markstrom
What the f*** was that!?
A lot of folks were surprised that Markstrom was in the net for this game(well he was in net, except for the Bedard first period goal and the Lafferty tuck in the third) it was Jake Allen most expected with a 3-1-1 record, .967 SVPCTG, a GAA of 1.00 and 3 shutouts in his last 5 games versus Chicago.
Marky had to crack a molar the way he bit on the play harder than Tyson on Holyfield’s ear. With a gassed Devils PK in front of him playing Twister like a bunch of feral raccoons on the Fourth of July, Markstrom did his best impression of viral “breakdancing” Olympian fool, Raygun.
In the third period Markstrom bit hard again as he got undressed quicker than a working gal at a bachelor party in front of a stack of singles. With Sam Lafferty doing his best Connor MacDavid impression, I sat there like I’m sure many of you did, thinking “what the f***!”
However in OT I had to give Markstrom credit, and in the words of the cinematic masterpiece, character Harry Dunn from Dumb & Dumber(the only good thing to happen in spring/summer of 1994) “Just when I think you couldn’t possibly be any dumber, you go ahead and do this…AND TOTALLY REDEEM YOURSELF!” A masterful sauce pass by Marky to Nemec wins it in OT. By the way it was a smart play sending the puck back to 25 by Luke Hughes and a quick change by him to allow Nemec on that set it all up. Yes Marky, I still wanna go to Aspen!
Gritsyuk-Hughes-Mercer Line
Dawson Mercer continues his renaissance, with another huge goal for NJ. Gritsyuk also played phenomenal in all zones, while Jack Hughes was Jack Hughes. This line was spectacular outshooting the opposition 29-5 when on the ice!
Injuries
Can’t write a Devils piece without this unfortunately. Both Zack MacEwen and Cody Glass left the game with injuries and did not finish the game. No updates on either at this time.
Put a pitchfork in this one!
Hey Siri, play “Glory Days” by Bruce Springsteen…