Spoiler Alert! Devils Rout Caps Behind Bratt, Hughes
NEWARK, NJ - APRIL 02: Jack Hughes #86 of the New Jersey Devils celebrates his goal during the third period of the game against the Washington Capitals on April 2, 2026 at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Rich Graessle/NHLI via Getty Images) | NHLI via Getty Images Look at the Devils delivering maximum damage to a pair of Metropolitan Division rivals this week, although in very different ways. First, on Tuesday, they rolled over and played dead for a hapless Rangers team that got two points that won’t help them in their race to the bottom for Gavin McKenna.
Forty-eight hours later they demolished a desperate Washington Capitals squad 7-3 at Prudential Center. Dueling five-point nights from Jack Hughes and Jesper Bratt — career highs for both players — allowed the Devils to overcome some of the usual brain farts on defense that left Jake Allen hung out to dry. Even Dawson Mercer got in on the act, with his fourth two-goal game of the season, but just the first since Nov.
1. The loss was devastating for the Caps, who could have leap-frogged Philly thanks to the Flyers 4-2 loss to Detroit. A win would have put Washington just a point behind Ottawa for the final Wild Card spot.
Instead they’re now 3 points behind Ottawa, as well as Detroit and Columbus. The Devils who have nothing to play for — pride? — jumped on Washington early Thursday night.
Cody Glass buried his 16th of the year 5 minutes, 22 seconds into the first period. Glass finished off a nifty passing play between Nick Bjugstad and Lenni Hameenaho to put the Devils up 1-0. Lennt Glasser a helping hand.
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