Devils Dominate Capitals with 7-Goal Outburst

Jack Hughes and Jesper Bratt each record 5 points in New Jersey's decisive victory

Apr. 3, 2026 at 2:29am

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An abstract, energetic painting in neon colors depicting the fast-paced action and scoring plays of a professional hockey game, with players' movements and the puck blending into a dynamic, expressionistic composition.The Devils' offensive onslaught overwhelms the Capitals in a thrilling, high-scoring affair.Columbus Today

The New Jersey Devils scored seven unanswered goals, including two from Dawson Mercer, to defeat the Washington Capitals 7-3 in a high-scoring affair. Jack Hughes and Jesper Bratt each tallied a goal and four assists for the Devils, who are making a late-season push for a playoff spot.

Why it matters

The win keeps the Devils in the hunt for a wild card spot in the Eastern Conference, while the Capitals missed an opportunity to gain ground on the teams ahead of them in the standings. This game showcased the offensive firepower of the Devils, who have been led by the stellar play of Hughes and Bratt down the stretch.

The details

The Devils jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first period on goals by Cody Glass and Mercer, but the Capitals responded with tallies from Cole Hutson and Pierre-Luc Dubois to tie it. Dougie Hamilton, Jack Hughes (twice), and Bratt then scored for New Jersey to pull away. Tom Wilson scored a late goal for Washington, but Mercer added an empty-netter to seal the victory.

  • The game was played on April 2, 2026.
  • The Devils scored four unanswered goals in the second and third periods to break the game open.

The players

Jack Hughes

The 24-year-old center for the New Jersey Devils, who recorded a goal and four assists in the win.

Jesper Bratt

The 28-year-old winger for the New Jersey Devils, who also had a goal and four assists in the victory.

Dawson Mercer

The 22-year-old forward for the New Jersey Devils, who scored two goals, including the 100th of his NHL career.

Tom Wilson

The 33-year-old winger for the Washington Capitals, who scored a goal in the loss.

Logan Thompson

The 25-year-old goaltender for the Washington Capitals, who made 22 saves in the game.

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What they’re saying

“We knew we had to come out strong and set the tone early. The guys did a great job of executing our game plan and not letting up, even when Washington made a push.”

— Nico Hischier, Devils Captain

“It's a tough loss, but we have to regroup and focus on the next one. We're still in the hunt for a playoff spot, and games like this will only make us stronger down the stretch.”

— Tom Wilson, Capitals Forward

What’s next

The Devils will look to build on this momentum when they host the Tampa Bay Lightning on April 4th. The Capitals, meanwhile, will try to bounce back when they visit the Columbus Blue Jackets on April 6th in a crucial game for their playoff aspirations.

The takeaway

This game showcased the offensive firepower of the New Jersey Devils, who are making a late-season push for a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. The performance of young stars like Jack Hughes and Dawson Mercer bodes well for the Devils' future, while the Capitals missed an opportunity to gain ground on the teams ahead of them in the standings.