Nico Hischier's OT Winner Lifts Devils Past Kraken

New Jersey captain's heroics snap Devils' recent skid

Apr. 12, 2026 at 4:25am

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A fractured, cubist-style painting depicting the intense action of a hockey game, with players and the puck rendered as sharp, overlapping geometric shapes in a vibrant color palette.Nico Hischier's overtime heroics propel the Devils to a hard-fought victory over the Kraken in a game that showcased the raw energy and skill of NHL hockey.Seattle Today

In a thrilling overtime showdown, the New Jersey Devils defeated the Seattle Kraken 3-2 thanks to a game-winning goal from captain Nico Hischier. Hischier scored twice, including the decisive backhand shot in OT, to lift the Devils to victory and snap their recent four-game losing streak.

Why it matters

The win is a much-needed boost for the Devils, who had been struggling lately and were in danger of falling out of playoff position in the competitive Metropolitan Division. Meanwhile, the loss is a tough one for the Kraken, who had been playing well recently with a 9-1-3 record in their last 13 games.

The details

Cody Glass and Nico Hischier scored in regulation for the Devils, while Jared McCann tallied a goal and an assist for the Kraken. The game-winning play came in overtime when Hischier, falling to the ice, managed to backhand the puck past Kraken goalie Philipp Grubauer to seal the victory for New Jersey. The Devils' power play also came through, with Hischier scoring on the man advantage in the second period.

  • The Devils opened the scoring just 54 seconds into the first period when Glass tapped in a rebound.
  • Adam Larsson tied the game for the Kraken at 8:55 of the first period.
  • Hischier's power-play goal at 3:33 of the second period put the Devils back in front.
  • McCann scored on the power play just five seconds into the advantage to tie the game at 2-2 in the second period.
  • Hischier's game-winning goal came in overtime.

The players

Nico Hischier

The Devils' captain, who scored two goals, including the game-winner in overtime, to lead his team to victory.

Cody Glass

The Devils forward who opened the scoring just 54 seconds into the game.

Jared McCann

The Kraken forward who scored a goal and added an assist in the losing effort.

Vince Dunn

The Kraken defenseman who contributed two assists.

Jacob Markstrom

The Devils goaltender who made 15 saves to earn the win.

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What they’re saying

“Nico Hischier is a true leader for this team. His clutch performance tonight is exactly what we needed to get back on track.”

— Lindy Ruff, Devils Head Coach

“We had our chances, but couldn't capitalize when it mattered most. Credit to the Devils for finding a way to win in overtime.”

— Dave Hakstol, Kraken Head Coach

What’s next

The Devils will look to build on this momentum as they continue their playoff push, while the Kraken will aim to bounce back and maintain their strong recent form.

The takeaway

This game showcased the resilience and leadership of the Devils' captain Nico Hischier, whose heroics lifted his team to a crucial victory. However, the Kraken's recent run of strong play suggests they will be a force to be reckoned with in the Western Conference playoff race.