Tyler Toffoli chose the best possible time to score the sixth hat trick of his career, scoring the game-winning goal in overtime in the New Jersey Devils' 6-5 victory over the Vegas Golden Knights on Monday night at the Prudential Center.
The fans experienced a very entertaining and emotional meeting. It ended in euphoria when Toffoli capitalized on Luke Hughes' perfect pass in extra time and beat Logan Thompson in the top half.
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This is the former Montreal Canadiens' second hat trick with the Devils. He also scored one with CH and three with the Los Angeles Kings in 2021.
New Jersey went from a 3-1 lead – thanks to a Toffoli goal early in the second period – to a 5-3 deficit. Once again it was thanks to the hero of the day that the “Devils” got back on track, then Curtis Lazar equalized midway through the third period.
Jonathan Marchessault and Nicolas Roy carried the Knights on their shoulders with three points each, all in a second half in which the visitors scored four times without conceding. The first also scored two goals in 2 minutes and 21 seconds.
The jets hit a wall
In Boston, the Bruins defeated the Winnipeg Jets and goaltender Connor Hellebuyck 4-1.
Jim Montgomery's men had the difficult task of slowing down a team that had won 10 of their last 11 meetings. Hellebuyck himself has been exceptional in recent weeks and hasn't conceded three goals in regular time since November 14th.
That 21-game streak ended abruptly at the end of the third period when Jake DeBrusk scored the game-winning goal while shorthanded. Brad Marchand then added a fourth goal in the empty cage.
Jakub Lauko and Charlie Coyle also managed to deceive Hellebuyck in the first third. Jeremy Swayman was only beaten by Vladislav Namestnikov and stopped 21 pucks.
The Bruins are also on a hot streak with five wins in a row.