Simon Nemec scores in OT to lift the Devils past the Flames, 2-1

New Jersey Devils' Cody Glass (12) gets stopped by Calgary Flames goalie Devin Cooley during second period NHL hockey action in Calgary, Alta., Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Larry MacDougal

CALGARY, Alberta (AP) — Simon Nemec scored at 1:18 of overtime to give the New Jersey Devils a 2-1 victory over the Calgary Flames on Monday night.

Nemec took a backhand pass from Jack Hughes and beat goalie Devin Cooley from close range.

Jacob Markstrom made 21 saves to help New Jersey rebound from a 4-1 home loss to Carolina on Saturday night for its third victory in four games.

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Dawson Mercer opened the scoring for New Jersey at 7:51 of the second period, and Nazem Kadri tied it at 9:44 of the period. Rookie Matvei Gridin got his first NHL assist on Kadri’s goal.

Cooley stopped 29 shots. The Flames had won two in a row.

Devils defenseman Luke Hughes left in the second period after appearing to be shaken up during a puck battle along the boards.

Defenseman Zach Whitecloud made his Calgary debut after being acquired from Vegas on Sunday along with two draft picks and a prospect in a trade that sent longtime Flames defenseman Rasmus Andersson to the Golden Knights. Whitecloud had two shots and three blocked shots in 22:33.

Up next

Devils: At Edmonton on Tuesday night.

Flames: Host Pittsburgh On Wednesday night.

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AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl

The Associated Press