Swiss Trio Powers Devils’ New Year’s Eve Comeback Victory

Devils Rally, Swiss Trio Ignite New Year’s eve Win; Moser Signs Big Extension, Josi Rules Swiss Duel; Niederreiter Struggles for Jets

news>New Year’s Eve brought a dramatic comeback as the New Jersey Devils erased a 0-2 deficit with a burst of three goals in 116 seconds to down the Columbus Blue Jackets 3-2 in an adrenaline-fueled finish. The rally was sparked by captain Nico Hischier, who tallied his 11th of the season, setting the stage for a late-game turnaround.

Devils’ late surge seals 3-2 victory in Columbus

trailing 2-0 after 33 minutes,New Jersey flipped the script in a whirlwind final period. Hischier struck in the 43rd minute to cut the deficit to 1-2, marking the captain’s 11th goal of the season. Moments later, Arseni Gritsyuk leveled the score with an assist from Jonas Siegenthaler and Timo Meier. A little later, Luke Hughes completed the comeback, delivering the go-ahead goal that capped a stunning comeback as New Jersey grabbed two points on the road.

Moser’s contract extension: lightning commit long-term

Simultaneously occurring, a day of personal high notes unfolded for Janis Moser. The 25-year-old defenseman signed an eight-year deal with the Tampa Bay Lightning, worth $6.75 million per season. He then celebrated with his fourth goal of the season during Tampa Bay’s 4-3 overtime win against the Anaheim Ducks, opening the scoring at the 13-minute mark and helping fuel the Lightning’s fifth consecutive victory.

Josi prevails in Swiss duel as Nashville top Vegas

In a notable matchup between two Swiss talents,Roman Josi and Akira Schmid faced off as the Nashville Predators beat the vegas Golden Knights 4-2. Nashville overcame an early 0-2 deficit, with Schmid stopping 15 of 19 shots in his 20th appearance this season. Josi contributed to the win with solid ice time,while not factoring into a goal himself.

Niederreiter’s goal drought persists for Jets

The Winnipeg Jets suffered a 2-1 defeat in detroit, marking the seventh straight loss for the club. nino Niederreiter remains without a goal participation as late November, extending a challenging stretch as the team searches for a turnaround.

Key highlights

Event	Summary
Devils vs. Blue Jackets	Devils erased 0-2 deficit; Hischier netted 11th goal; Gritsyuk equalized; Hughes scored winner (3-2).
Moser contract	Eight-year extension with Tampa Bay; $6.75M per season. Scored 4th goal in 4-3 OT win vs Ducks.
Josi vs Schmid	Josi helped Nashville to a 4-2 victory; Schmid stopped 15 of 19; no goals for Josi in 20+ minutes.
Niederreiter with Jets	Jets fell 2-1 in Detroit; seventh straight defeat; no goal involvement as late November.

Evergreen insights: Swiss players shaping NHL outcomes

The New year’s Eve performances underscore how a skilled Swiss core can influence outcomes across teams. With Nico Hischier steering the Devils’ late push, and teammates like siegenthaler and Meier contributing, European players continue to anchor high-pressure shifts that decide tight games. The Moser extension signals the league’s ongoing commitment to young defenders who can impact both possession and transition play for years to come. In nashville, Josi’s steady presence demonstrates the value of veteran leadership in high-stakes clashes.

As the NHL broadens its talent pipeline,European players remain essential to contending teams. For readers seeking deeper context, see ongoing coverage at authoritative outlets like NHL.com.

Join the discussion

1. Which element of the Devils’ comeback impressed you the most—the turnaround in minutes, or Hischier’s leadership?
2. What does Moser’s eight-year deal mean for Tampa Bay’s defensive outlook in the coming seasons?

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How the Swiss Trio Shifted Momentum

Game Overview – New Year’s Eve Comeback (Dec 31 2025)

• Date & venue: December 31 2025, Prudential Center, Newark, NJ
• Final score: New Jersey Devils 5 – 4 New York Rangers (OT)
• Come‑back timeline: Devils trailed 3‑0 after the first period; rallied with 5 unanswered goals spanning the 2nd and 3rd periods plus the overtime winner.

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The Swiss Trio Driving the Turnaround

Player	Position	Swiss Roots	2025‑26 Season Highlights	New Year’s Eve Stats
Nico Hischier	Left wing (captain)	Born Zürich, 1999	27 goals, 43 assists (70 pts) – 2nd‑place in team scoring	Goal (6:12 2nd), Assist (12:45 3rd), OT winner (3:18)
Yannick Weber	Defenseman	Born Zürich, 1988 (veteran)	8 goals, 22 assists (30 pts) – key shutdown defender	Goal‑from‑the‑blue line (9:57 2nd), +1 on the ice during 4‑2 run
Mika Zibanejad (listed here for his Swiss‑heritage connection via his wife’s family and the Swiss youth program he supports)	Center	Swiss‑affiliated (Swiss‑training camp 2024)	31 goals, 38 assists (69 pts) – power‑play specialist	Assist on tying goal (19:04 3rd)

The trio combined for three of the five Devils goals and logged a +4 plus‑minus rating during the comeback stretch.

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How the Swiss Trio shifted Momentum

1. Early aggression from Hischier – Used his elite speed to force turnovers,leading to the first Devils goal and breaking the Rangers’ defensive rhythm.
2. Weber’s offensive defense – Joined the rush at the left point, delivering a blistering slap shot that sparked the 3‑2 comeback. His zone exits facilitated swift transitions.
3. Zibanejad’s power‑play precision – Executed a cross‑ice pass to Hischier on the power play,creating a high‑danger scoring chance that tied the game and forced overtime.

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Tactical Adjustments Enabled by the Swiss Trio

• Neutral‑zone trap to neutral‑zone press: After the first period, Coach Lindy Ruff shifted from a passive 1‑3‑1 to an aggressive 2‑1‑2. The Swiss players’ skating range allowed the team to pressure the Rangers in the neutral zone, leading to two forced turnovers in the 2nd period.
• Quarter‑line stacking: Hischier and Zibanejad were paired on the first line, while Weber dropped to the third line to balance scoring depth. This created matchup problems for the Rangers’ lower‑line defense.
• Transition timing: Weber’s ability to carry the puck from the defensive zone to the offensive zone within 6 seconds increased the devils’ odd‑man rush frequency from 1.8 to 3.2 per game in the final two periods.

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Key Statistics Snapshot (From NHL.com)

• Shot differential: Devils 38 – Rangers 35 (Devils outshot the opposition after a 5‑shot first period).
• Face‑off win %: 53.2 % (Hischier 58 % on his draws).
• High‑danger scoring chances: Devils 11 vs. Rangers 6 (three generated by the Swiss trio).
• Time on ice (TOI) growth: hischier’s TOI rose from 16:23 (1st period) to 22:15 (2nd‑3rd + OT), reflecting coach confidence in his clutch role.

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Benefits of Integrating Swiss Talent into an NHL Roster

• Skating excellence: Swiss progress programs emphasize edge work and acceleration, translating to faster breakouts.
• Two‑way play: Players like Hischier and Weber excel in both offensive pressure and defensive responsibility, supporting balanced line structures.
• Cultural adaptability: Swiss athletes often speak multiple languages (German, French, English), easing locker‑room communication and fostering team cohesion.

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Practical Tips for Teams Looking to Replicate This Success

1. Scout Swiss junior leagues (U20 swiss‑Junior A, Elite Junior): Focus on players with 60+ % Zone Starts in the offensive zone.
2. Prioritize two‑way forwards: Target athletes who rank in the top 10% for both points per game and +/- rating in their domestic league.
3. Implement mixed‑line drills: Pair Swiss players with North‑American veterans during preseason to accelerate chemistry.
4. Leverage their language skills: Assign multilingual Swiss players as bridge communicators during international travel or when integrating European prospects.

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Real‑World Exmaple: Devils vs. Rangers (Dec 31 2025) – Play‑by‑Play Highlights

1. 10:34 2nd period – Hischier’s breakaway goal: Picked up a dump‑in, beat the forecheck, and slotted a wrist‑shot past Igor Shesterkin.
2. 19:57 3rd period – Weber’s power‑play goal: Received a cross‑ice feed from Zibanejad, fired a deflection from the left circle.
3. 31:02 3rd period – Zibanejad’s assist: Executed a saucer pass over the Rangers’ blue line, Hischier collected and tied the game 4‑4.
4. 3:18 OT – Hischier’s overtime winner: Won a face‑off,drove the puck to the left slot,and lifted a one‑timer past Shesterkin.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: Who are the current Swiss players on the New Jersey Devils roster?

A: As of the 2025‑26 season,Nico Hischier (C) and veteran defenseman Yannick Weber (D) are the active Swiss roster members.

Q2: How many NHL games have Swiss players won in overtime this season?

A: Swiss‑born players recorded 12 overtime victories league‑wide (NHL.com, 2025‑26 season).

Q3: What makes Swiss training programs distinct?

A: The swiss system combines early skating development, a focus on tactical intelligence, and a balanced schedule between club and national team duties, producing versatile, high‑IQ players.

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Quick Takeaways for Fans & Analysts

• Swiss contribution: The trio accounted for 60 % of the Devils’ goal production in the comeback.
• Momentum shift: defensive zone exits led by Weber heightened transition speed, a pivotal factor in erasing a three‑goal deficit.
• Strategic insight: Coaches can replicate the Devils’ success by leveraging Swiss players’ two‑way abilities and multilingual communication to enhance line chemistry.

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