Jack Hughes wins it in OT as Devils edge Flyers in home opener

Jack Hughes capped a busy night in Newark by scoring with 1:37 left in overtime, lifting the New Jersey Devils to a 3-2 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers in their home opener on Thursday.

Hughes ended the game on a wrist shot set up by Jesper Bratt in the extra frame, adding another highlight to a résumé that already includes leading Team USA to Olympic gold last winter and pacing the Devils with 77 points last season despite missing significant time with a hand injury.

Blue-line scoring and Hamilton milestone fuel comeback

The Devils needed a third-period push to get there. Luke Hughes pulled them even 2-2 at 9:44 of the third, stepping into a shot off a feed from Luke Evangelista. That marker ensured all four goals in regulation came from defencemen.

Dougie Hamilton was the first New Jersey skater to solve the Flyers, tying the game 1-1 late in the second period. His point-shot found its way off the left post and in at 17:59, and it carried extra significance: it was his 200th point with the franchise, achieved in his 306th game with the Devils. Only Scott Stevens reached that total faster among New Jersey defencemen, doing so in 250 games.

Sanheim and Ristolainen pace Flyers, Woll stands tall

Philadelphia built its lead on goals from Travis Sanheim and Rasmus Ristolainen. Ristolainen opened the scoring midway through the first when he tipped in Sanheim’s point shot. After Hamilton’s equalizer, Sanheim restored the Flyers’ advantage early in the third on a slap shot set up by Sean Couturier.

In goal, Joseph Woll was busy in his Flyers debut after arriving in an off-season trade from the Toronto Maple Leafs. He turned aside 41 shots and kept Philadelphia in front for much of the night, one day after the club’s 7-0 home loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins. At the other end, Jake Allen stopped 23 shots for New Jersey.

Devils carry core forward into early road test

New Jersey brought back its top eight scorers from a 42-37-3 season that left the club seventh in the Metropolitan Division with 87 points. The overtime win offers an encouraging start as that core looks to push the Devils back into contention. Their next test comes Saturday on the road against the New York Islanders.