New Jersey Devils right wing Connor Brown (16) celebrates his goal against the Vegas Golden Knights during the second period of an NHL hockey game Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025, in Las Vegas.
Esper Bratt delivered the decisive goal in a shootout as the New Jersey Devils defeated the Vegas Golden Knights, 2-1, on Tuesday night. The thrilling contest featured stellar goaltending, missed shootout chances, and continued power-play struggles for both teams.
Esper Bratt’s Shootout Drama Decides the Outcome
Bratt’s shootout goal proved the difference. For Vegas, Pavel Dorofeyev, Mark Stone, and Mitch Marner failed to convert their attempts. Marner’s shot initially appeared to score, but the puck deflected off his skate and was ruled no-goal.
New Jersey’s Connor Brown scored in regulation, while Jake Allen made 37 critical saves. Vegas’ Carter Hart recorded 32 saves, keeping the game close.
Regulation Highlights
The Devils struck first after capitalizing on a Vegas turnover in their own zone. Brown seized a loose puck, skated through the crease, and wrapped it past Hart, giving New Jersey a 1-0 lead.
Vegas responded late in regulation. Barbashev tied the score with a precise one-timer from the right circle, finding the upper right corner with 4:11 remaining.
Dorofeyev later scored on a power play, marking his second power-play goal in two games and ninth overall this season, tying the game once more for the Golden Knights.
Goaltending Steals the Spotlight
Both netminders played pivotal roles. Allen’s 37 saves kept the Devils competitive despite missing key players. Hart’s 32 stops ensured the Golden Knights extended the game to overtime.
Vegas now has gone to overtime 14 times in 32 games, demonstrating their ability to remain resilient in close contests.
Special Teams Struggles
Power plays remained a challenge for both sides. Vegas converted 1 of 4 opportunities, including a failed chance in overtime. The Devils continue to struggle, going 1 for 18 on the man advantage in their last eight games.
These struggles highlight ongoing concerns for New Jersey, who are missing significant portions of their roster, including Jack Hughes. Despite this, the Devils managed to secure the win through timely scoring and defensive effort.
Injuries and Lineup Adjustments
The Golden Knights played without Jack Eichel, their leading scorer, and defenseman Shea Theodore, affecting both offense and defense. The Devils also faced lineup challenges but leveraged depth and opportunistic play to stay competitive.
Division Implications
Vegas earned a single point from the shootout, moving into a first-place tie in the Pacific Division with the Anaheim Ducks. The result keeps both teams in strong playoff contention early in the season.
New Jersey, despite missing stars, continues to battle in the standings, relying on goaltending and depth scoring to maintain momentum.
Key Takeaways
- Bratt’s shootout goal secured the Devils’ win.
- Both teams struggled on the power play.
- Goaltending by Allen and Hart was crucial.
- Vegas tied for first in the Pacific Division with Anaheim.
- The Devils showed resilience despite missing key players like Jack Hughes.
The victory highlights New Jersey’s ability to capitalize on opportunities and remain competitive in tight contests. With Bratt stepping up, the Devils look to carry this momentum into their upcoming games. Meanwhile, Vegas must refine their special teams play to maintain their division-leading form.
