Devils' 4-3 OT Win vs. Blue Jackets: Hughes & Meier Save the Day

Luke Hughes and Timo Meier helped the New Jersey Devils salvage two crucial points in a 4-3 OT win vs. the Columbus Blue Jackets.

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There are plenty of ways to describe last night's New Jersey Devils game. But what's most important is they managed to come away with two points in a 4-3 overtime win over the Columbus Blue Jackets. Here are three takeaways from the victory. 

Meier Does It Again

Timo Meier appears to be back. He capped off his night with the game-winning goal on a breakaway in overtime, his fourth goal in his last three games. But his performance last night was about so much more than scoring the game-winning goal. 

First and foremost, Meier's skating looks much better than it did a couple of weeks ago. I wouldn't say he's all the way back yet, but it's definitely at a level where he can play his game. He looked more efficient in transition last night, as he was against the Detroit Red Wings before the Christmas break, too. 

We're starting to see Meier become more of a facilitator, something he was known for during his time with the San Jose Sharks. He played a significant role in Dawson Mercer getting a grade-A chance on the doorstep that Elvis Merzlikins made an incredible skate save on early in the second period. 

Part of Meier coming alive has to do with his linemates, too. Meier, Michael McLeod and Mercer have fared well together as the team's third line over the last couple of games. They excelled against the Blue Jackets, finishing with an 83.18 expected goals percentage (xG%) as a unit. 

Meier and McLeod are good in transition, so that helps Mercer. McLeod is also a solid two-way presence, so all three players complement each other well by providing different elements to their line. 

Since they're technically the third line, they should get matched up against teams' bottom-sixes and bottom pairs, so there's an opportunity for them to continue thriving. If Meier keeps up what he's done the last two games, he could help power the Devils to more wins. 

Hughes & Nemec Helped Complete the Comeback

There will be growing pains with the Devils' young defense as the season continues. But last night's game offered a glimpse of what a future with Luke Hughes and Šimon Nemec anchoring the blue line could look like.