Olympic hero Jack Hughes scores in OT to lift the Devils over the Flyers 3-2

NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — Jack Hughes scored with 1:37 left in overtime to lift the New Jersey Devils to a 3-2 win over the Philadelphia Flyers on Thursday night.

Hughes scored on a wrist shot with an assist from Jesper Bratt in New Jersey's home opener.

Hughes, who led Team USA to the gold medal at the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics last winter, led New Jersey with 77 points last season and ranked second with 27 goals despite missing 21 games with a hand injury. The Devils went 8-13-0 without Hughes, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2019 draft.

His brother Luke tied the game at 2-all with a snapshot at 9:44 of the third period from Luke Evangelista.

Joseph Woll, who was acquired in an offseason trade with Toronto, stopped 41 shots for Philadelphia. Jake Allen made 23 saves for the Devils.

All four goals in regulation were scored by defensemen.

The Flyers, who suffered a 7-0 home loss to Pittsburgh on Wednesday night, got goals from Travis Sanheim and Rasmus Ristolainen.

Sanheim provided the Flyers with a 2-1 lead on a slap shot from Sean Couturier early in the final period.

Dougie Hamilton tied it at 1-1 for New Jersey with a shot from the point that deflected off the left post at 17:59 of the second period. Playing in his 306th game with New Jersey, he became the second fastest defenseman after Scott Stevens to record 200 points with the franchise. It took Stevens 250 games.

Ristolainen gave the Flyers a 1-0 lead when he redirected a shot from the point by Sanheim midway through the first period.

The Devils returned their top eight scorers from last season when they finished seventh in the Metropolitan Division at 42-37-3 (87 points).

The Flyers host Carolina on Saturday.

The Devils visit the New York Islanders on Saturday.

See AP’s full NHL coverage here

Philadelphia Flyers goaltender Joseph Woll, left, makes a save against New Jersey Devils center Cody Glass (12) during the second period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026, in Newark, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

New Jersey Devils defenseman Brett Pesce (22), second from right, clears the puck in front of Philadelphia Flyers right wing Owen Tippett (74) during the third period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026, in Newark, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

New Jersey Devils center Evan Rodrigues (17) has his shot defended by Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Cam York (8) in front of Flyers goaltender Joseph Woll (53) during the second period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026, in Newark, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

New Jersey Devils center Jack Hughes (86) shoots the winning goal past Philadelphia Flyers goaltender Joseph Woll, left, during overtime of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026, in Newark, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

NEW YORK (AP) — Igor Shesterkin became the 18th goaltender in NHL history to score a goal and first for the New York Rangers when he shot the puck into an empty net late in a 5-1 victory against Tampa Bay on Thursday night.

Shesterkin was mobbed by celebrating teammates after scoring with 2:34 left. He skated to the bench at the front of the line of players to fist-bump teammates and was serenaded by chants of “Igor! Igor!” from fans delighted to see him finally cash in.

The first goal of his career is the 21st by a goalie, counting the playoffs.

Shesterkin has been known to try his hand at scoring before. Lightning coach Jon Cooper gave him the opportunity Thursday night by pulling Andrei Vasilevskiy off and on during the third period for an extra attacker.

Shesterkin was also terrific at the other end, stopping 24 of the 25 shots he faced. He was named the first star of the game.

See AP’s full NHL coverage here

New York Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin stands in the goal during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Tampa Bay Lightning, Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Pamela Smith)

New York Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin, center, after an NHL hockey game against the Tampa Bay Lightning Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Pamela Smith)

New York Rangers players react after goaltender Igor Shesterkin scored a goal during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Tampa Bay Lightning Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Pamela Smith)

New York Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin (31) and New York Rangers' Marcus Pettersson (26) react after Shesterkin scored a goal during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Tampa Bay Lightning Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Pamela Smith)

New York Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin reacts after scoring a goal during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Tampa Bay Lightning Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Pamela Smith)