Thompson conceding 3.10 goals above average gave New Jersey a built-in margin their top line was always going to exploit.
New Jersey dismantled Washington 7β3 at Prudential Center, a result driven by catastrophic goaltending variance on one side and a historically productive line on the other. This was not a close game that broke late β New Jersey led after the first period and never relinquished control.
β‘TURNING POINT
Bratt's power-play goal at 12:16 of the third extended the lead to 6β3, converting Washington's already slim deficit into a mathematically irretrievable gap with under eight minutes remaining. The goal punished a Washington penalty at the worst possible time and handed New Jersey's top line a final platform to bury the game.
πWHY NJD WON
β’
The Hughes-Bratt axis generated 10 combined points and dominated possession in all three periods, forcing Washington's defense into continuous reactive coverage it could not sustain.
β’
New Jersey converted their lone power-play opportunity in a high-leverage situation, while winning the faceoff battle at 52.6% to repeatedly establish offensive-zone time.
β’
Allen conceded 0.20 goals below league average on 32 shots β his performance removed any margin for Washington to claw back.
πWHY WSH LOST
β’
Thompson conceded 3.10 goals above league average on 29 shots β in a four-goal game, that margin alone decided the result.
β’
Washington's 13 giveaways against a team built to capitalize on transition opportunities directly generated New Jersey's scoring chances.
β’
Going 1-for-5 on the power play while surrendering a critical penalty in the third period meant Washington's special teams produced no net advantage in a game decided by four goals.
Three Stars
Jack Hughes1st
NJD, C
2G3A5P5 SOG+422:25 TOI
Hughes was on the ice for every meaningful New Jersey sequence, generating offense from every zone entry and anchoring the attack that ultimately broke Washington's structure.
Jesper Bratt2nd
NJD, L
1G4A5P+4PPG
Bratt's four assists show he was the primary distributor on New Jersey's most dangerous plays, and his power-play goal at 12:16 sealed Washington's fate.
Dawson Mercer3rd
NJD, C
2G6 SOG20:00 TOI
Mercer's two goals and six shots demonstrate he pressured Washington's defense consistently throughout the game, providing depth scoring that prevented any Washington run from gaining traction.
