Nico Hischier Powers Latest Jersey Devils Past Ottawa Senators in Overtime Thriller

In a high-stakes clash in Newark, N.J., Nico Hischier delivered a standout performance to lead the New Jersey Devils to a 4-3 overtime victory over the Ottawa Senators on Sunday night, April 12, 2026. Hischier finished the contest with three points, including the decisive power-play goal that snapped Ottawa’s four-game winning streak.

The victory was defined by a resilient second half from the Devils, who overcame a second-period surge by the Senators to secure the win. For Hischier, the game served as a masterclass in clutch scoring, as he bookended the match with critical contributions.

The Deciding Moment: Hischier’s Overtime Heroics

The contest reached its climax in the overtime period, where the Devils capitalized on a power-play opportunity. With just 1:45 remaining in the extra frame, Nico Hischier found the back of the net for his second goal of the game, sealing the 4-3 result. The game-winning goal was assisted by Jack Hughes, who finished the night with two assists.

Hischier’s impact was felt early and often. He first gave the Devils a 1-0 lead just 5:12 into the opening period, setting a tone of aggression for the home side.

A Tale of Two Periods: The Senators’ Surge and the Devils’ Response

While the Devils started strong, the Ottawa Senators dominated a significant stretch of the second period. In a blistering seven-minute span, Ottawa scored three unanswered goals to turn the tide. Michael Amadio, Fabian Zetterlund and Shane Pinto—who scored on the power play—all found the net during this window. This surge left the Devils trailing 3-2 heading into the final frame.

The third period saw the Devils rely on their penalty kill to claw back into the game. Connor Brown managed a short-handed goal to keep New Jersey within striking distance. The momentum shifted completely with 7:32 remaining in regulation when Dawson Mercer scored another short-handed goal to tie the game at 3-3. Hischier played a pivotal role in this comeback as well, providing the assist on Mercer’s tying goal.

Note for readers: A “short-handed goal” occurs when a team scores while they have fewer players on the ice than their opponent due to a penalty, making these goals particularly difficult to achieve and momentum-shifting.

Key Statistics and Milestones

Beyond the scoreline, the game featured significant individual achievements and steady goaltending on both sides. Drake Batherson of the Senators recorded an assist on Shane Pinto’s power-play goal, a contribution that moved him into 10th place on the Ottawa Senators’ franchise career scoring list with 363 points. For context, Batherson now trails Marian Hossa (390 points) in ninth place, while Daniel Alfredsson remains the franchise leader with 1,108 career points.

In the crease, both goaltenders were tested heavily:

• Nico Daws (Devils): Made 27 saves to secure the win.
• James Reimer (Senators): Made 26 saves in the losing effort.

Regular Season Finales

As the NHL regular season draws to a close, both teams face critical final matchups. The Ottawa Senators will return home to host Toronto on Wednesday night to conclude their season. The New Jersey Devils will travel to face Boston on Tuesday night for their final game of the regular season.

The Devils’ ability to strike while short-handed and Hischier’s efficiency in the power play proved to be the difference in a game that could have easily swung toward Ottawa following their second-period blitz.

What are your thoughts on the Devils’ momentum heading into their finale against Boston? Let us recognize in the comments below.