Jack Hughes’ power-play goal with 2:29 left capped a seesaw battle as the New Jersey Devils defeated the Los Angeles Kings 6-4 on Saturday night. The win came on a night when Kings captain Anze Kopitar became the franchise’s all-time points leader, a milestone that adds a poignant note to his final season.
Jack Hughes stepped up when it mattered most. With the game tied 4-4 and the Devils on the power play, the star center found himself alone in the slot and didn’t hesitate, firing a wrist shot past Kings goaltender Anton Forsberg with 2:29 remaining. The goal proved to be the winner in a wild 6-4 victory for the New Jersey Devils over the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday night at the Prudential Center.
The win improves the Devils’ record as they chase a playoff berth in the Eastern Conference, while the Kings’ hopes for a postseason spot in the West took a hit. But the night will be remembered primarily for Anze Kopitar‘s historic achievement.
Kopitar scored twice in the loss, moving his career point total to 1,308 and surpassing Marcel Dionne as the Kings‘ all-time leader. The 38-year-old Slovenian forward now has 450 goals and 858 assists, a milestone confirmed by the Associated Press. Kopitar, a two-time Stanley Cup champion, announced earlier this season that he will retire after this campaign, making this record even more significant for the Kings organization and its fans.
The game itself was an offensive rollercoaster. The Devils jumped to an early 2-0 lead on goals by Cody Glass (his career-best 15th) and Nico Hischier. The Kings responded with three straight goals — two from Kopitar and one from Artemi Panarin — to take a 3-2 lead by the end of the second period. Taylor Ward’s goal at 11:43 of the second gave Los Angeles its first advantage.
But the Devils refused to stay down. Arseny Gritsyuk tied the game just 25 seconds into the third period, a momentum-shifting strike. Hischier then put New Jersey ahead at 12:42 of the third with his second of the night. Kopitar answered back quickly, tying the game again at 13:31. That set the stage for Hughes’ heroics.
After Hughes’ go-ahead goal, Timo Meier sealed the win with an empty-net goal in the final minute. Devils goaltender Jake Allen made 27 saves, while Forsberg turned aside 22 shots for the Kings.
The Kings’ offensive outburst — scoring three consecutive goals in the second period — showcased their high-powered top lines, but their inability to hold onto leads has been a persistent issue this season. Los Angeles has now dropped three of their last four contests, a concerning pattern as they battle for the final Western Conference playoff spot.
The loss is a setback for the Kings, who are in a tight race with the San Jose Sharks, Seattle Kraken, and Nashville Predators for the final Western Conference playoff berth. Every point is crucial in that battle, and falling in overtime convention (though this wasn’t OT) still hurts. The Devils, meanwhile, are solidifying their position in the Eastern bracket, though their exact seeding remains fluid.
Looking ahead, both teams have pivotal matchups on Monday. The Devils will host the Boston Bruins in a showdown between two Eastern contenders. The Kings will travel to face the New York Rangers to conclude a five-game road trip, a game that could significantly impact their playoff hopes (AP NHL).
For Kings fans, Kopitar’s record is a bright spot in an otherwise disappointing night. His legacy as the greatest player in franchise history is now cemented. For Devils supporters, Hughes’ clutch performance reinforces the belief that their young core can deliver in high-pressure moments.
As the regular season winds down, games like this — with playoff implications and historic milestones — show why hockey is the ultimate team sport, where individual brilliance and collective effort collide.
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