Hischier scores twice as visiting New Jersey Devils top Calgary Flames 4-2
CTV
New Jersey's improved play since Nico Hischier's return from injury continued on Saturday.
New Jersey's improved play since Nico Hischier's return from injury continued on Saturday.
Hischier scored twice and Jesper Bratt added a goal and assist to lead the Devils to a 4-2 NHL victory over the Calgary Flames for their third straight win.
Since returning on Nov. 25 from an upper body injury that sidelined the club's captain for four weeks, New Jersey has won six of seven with Hischier piling up eight points over that span (including four goals).
"I've been saying he kind of reminds me of (Anze Kopitar) when I was back in L.A., just not as big,” said former Flame Tyler Tofolli. “He just does everything right and does whatever it takes to win and help the team. It's amazing having him back in the lineup, healthy and playing the way he's playing."
The Devils secured a lasting lead at 12:31 of the second period on a controversial goal that snapped a 1-1 deadlock.
After Hischier mishandled the puck on a scoring chance, Flames forward Blake Coleman banked a clearing attempt off Bratt and into the net. However, seconds earlier, Wolf had been knocked off balance and sent spinning when Hischier slid into his pads.
“It's not rocket science. You've got to go to the net hard and good things happen,” Hischier said. “You have to simplify your game. That's what we've done the last couple games. We've got some lucky bounces but if you're not going there, you're not getting them."
