The New Jersey Devils had a huge win over the Philadelphia Flyers on Sunday night. It was clearly a game that they needed to win as Philly will be around them in the standings all year long. It is hard to see both of these teams making the playoffs so every point matters. Keeping the Flyers from getting and points is important as well so the big 5-2 victory did just that.
Of course, Dougie Hamilton, Dawson Mercer, Nico Hischier, and Mackenzie Blackwood were all great in this game. However, Andreas Johnsson and Jesper Bratt led the way for their club in the big win. Each of them had a major impact that allowed the Devils to skate right past the Flyers and take two points.
The two combined for seven points as Bratt had one goal and two assists to compliment Johnsson’s two goals and two assists. The only goal that neither of them had a point on was the awesome goal scored by Nathan Bastian assisted by Dougie Hamilton and Michael McLeod.
Each of these two is a big part of the team. Bratt got off to a tough start early in the year which led to his eventual benching. When he got back, however, he came back with a vengeance. When he found chemistry with Johnsson, they both became instant impact players. They have also helped New Jersey tread water while Jack Hughes was out with injury.
The New Jersey Devils are going to be very fun when they get back to full health.
Now, it sounds like Hughes will be back sometime really soon. If these two (amongst other players) can keep it going and Jack Hughes players like we know he can, this is going to be an extremely difficult team to beat. They are hard on pucks and use their speed to make it rough on the opposition.
Bratt and Johnsson can each also take pride in how much they have helped Dawson Mercer. They are the team’s three leading scorers which is proof of how well they have worked together. Mercer is only a rookie which is why Bratt and Johnsson are so important.
They have really helped take advantage of this kid’s natural ability while also helping him use it to the team’s advantage. They are such an awesome trio together that should help New Jersey win a lot of games as the season moves along.
Jack Hughes and Nico Hischier still have to get their winger situation figured out but Dawson Mercer has his two wings with Bratt and Johnsson. Hopefully, they are able to have more games like that in the future. Thier next chance will come on Tuesday night when the Devils take on the San Jose Sharks in Newark.