Jack Hughes scored his 13th goal during a big third period for the Devils , helping them beat the Chicago Blackhawks, 4-1, on Saturday at the Prudential Center. Dawson Mercer and Timo Meier each had a goal and an assist as the Devils improved to 7-3-1 in their last 11 games. Nico Hischier also scored and Jacob Markstrom made 17 saves while improving to 15-6-2 this season.
The Devils — who had scored one goal in two previous games, both losses — trailed 1-0 after two periods, but they put together a strong finish against Drew Commesso in his first NHL start. Commesso finished with 20 saves. Jason Dickinson scored for Chicago on a second-period shot that hit off the crossbar and rebounded off the face of Devils defenseman Luke Hughes and into the net.
Mercer tied the game early in the third on a pass from Luke Hughes, and New Jersey went ahead to stay by scoring three times in 126 seconds. Hughes made it 2-1 at 10:28, cashing in after New Jersey had a long stretch in the offensive zone. Hischier scored his 16th goal at 12:16, and Meier got his 10th at 12:34.
Chicago also allowed three goals in rapid succession in the third period during Thursday’s 5-4 loss to the New York Islanders. Jesper Bratt and Brett Pesce each had two assists for the Devils. Takeaways Blackhawks: Chicago has been playing close games and failing to close them out.
Commesso was outstanding in the first two periods. Devils: The Devils have been playing outstanding defense, and they held their opponents.
