SEATTLE — It took all of three NHL games for Simon Nemec to score his first goal. And it was a game-winner, no less.
Nemec scored midway through the second period, Akira Schmid made 16 of his 37 saves in the third and the New Jersey Devils beat the skidding Seattle Kraken 2-1 on Thursday night for their fifth victory in six games.
“He was able to jump in and find the lane. Great shot,” Devils coach Lindy Ruff said of Nemec. “He had a couple opportunities where he was in on good offensive plays. His hockey sense, his ability to pick the right time, it’s been good.”
Nemec, the No. 2 pick in the 2022 draft, made his debut last week at home against San Jose and had two assists in his first game. His first goal was largely due to the play made by Jesper Bratt carrying the puck after Seattle was unable to clear its defensive zone. Bratt circled behind the net and allowed Nemec to slide unmarked into the slot, where he beat Philipp Grubauer into an open side.