Devils' Simon Nemec Scores OT Winner, Ties Series Against Hurricanes

The New Jersey Devils secured a dramatic 3-2 double-overtime victory over the Carolina Hurricanes in Game 3, cutting their series deficit to 2-1 and marking the longest game in Prudential Center history. Simon Nemec, stepping up due to the Devils' depleted defense, scored the game-winning goal early in the second overtime, earning his first playoff goal and changing the narrative around his young career. The Devils started strong, with Nico Hischier opening the scoring after a dominant first period. Despite losing Jonathan Kovacevic to injury and already missing key defensemen, the Devils maintained their lead with goals from Hischier and Dawson Mercer, but the Hurricanes forced overtime with late goals from Seth Jarvis and Sebastian Aho. Both goaltenders, Frederik Andersen for Carolina and Jacob Markstrom for New Jersey, made critical saves throughout the tightly contested match. The win was pivotal for the shorthanded Devils, keeping their playoff hopes alive.