Bratt's late goal helps Devils recover against Canucks

VANCOUVER -- Jesper Bratt scored his second of the game with 34 seconds remaining for the New Jersey Devils, who recovered after blowing a three-goal lead in the third period to defeat the Vancouver Canucks 6-5 at Rogers Arena on Tuesday.

Bratt was left all alone near the right post and scored into an open net off the rebound of Kevin Bahl's screened point shot.

“I was trying to get a little lost there, and I know late in a game things happen and people start drifting away,” Bratt said. “I think Vancouver had two of those where you just sift pucks to the net and someone on the back side is ready to tap it in, and just happy to be a contributor to our team tonight.”

Jack Hughes had a goal and two assists, and Luke Hughes also scored for the Devils in their first game together against their older brother Quinn Hughes, who had two assists in the third period for the Canucks.

“We felt confident the whole game that we were going to have chances to tie it up,” Quinn said. “We can't hang our hat on that. We have to find a way to get that one to [overtime]. It's terrible to lose a game like that.”

The Hughes' became the second American family to have at least three brothers appear in the same NHL game, joining Neal, Paul and Aaron Broten, who did it when the Minnesota North Stars (Neal, Aaron) played against the New York Rangers (Paul) on Feb. 4, 1990, and March 10, 1990.

“Obviously, a nice win out of us and pretty fun to play with both my brothers,” said Jack Hughes, who has 13 points (seven goals, six assists) in seven games against Quinn and the Canucks.

New Jersey has won six of those games since selecting Jack with the No. 1 pick in the 2019 NHL Draft, which was held in Vancouver.

“I always enjoy playing Quinn and seem to have some good games in Vancouver and against him, so always have a lot of fun,” Jack said. “I was drafted here, my brother plays here, so definitely a big game for myself.”

Erik Haula and Michael McLeod also scored, and Vitek Vanecek made 28 saves for the Devils (12-10-1), who have won four of their past five games.

J.T. Miller had a goal and two assists, Brock Boeser had a goal and an assist, and Thatcher Demko made 26 saves for the Canucks (16-9-1), who have alternated wins and losses in their past nine.

“The first period we gave them four goals,” Vancouver coach Rick Tocchet said. “I'm a little disappointed. Guys were supposed to be in spots they weren't in. Now you're chasing the game. We make a great effort, then the last goal, you can blame all five guys on the ice for that."

Bratt put the Devils ahead 1-0 at 3:40 of the first period, skating the puck out of his own end and into a 2-on-1 before shooting five-hole on Demko from the left hash marks.

Miller tied it 1-1 at 8:24, knocking in his own rebound from the edge of the crease on a power play, but Haula responded for New Jersey to make it 2-1 at 9:51 after Tyler Myers gave the puck away to Jack Hughes in the corner.

“We gave them Grade A chances that you can't give up,” Quinn Hughes said.

Jack Hughes extended the lead to 3-1 at 17:06. He won a face-off back to Bahl, who quickly sent a pass back down to Hughes, who kicked the puck to his skate before sliding a backhand past Demko's left pad.

“The start of the game was really important for us, and I thought Jack’s line helped get us going,” New Jersey coach Lindy Ruff said.

McLeod made it 4-1 on a rebound in tight at 18:42, but Dakota Joshua cut it to 4-2 with a rebound goal of his own at 19:40.

Luke Hughes put New Jersey ahead 5-2 with a power-play goal at 19:26 of the second period, roofing a pass from Jack over Demko’s glove from the top of the left circle.

“It's pretty fun when Luke scores coming from a pass of mine,” Jack said.

Boeser made it 5-3 at 7:02 of the third period, lifting a backhand over Vanecek from in front after Jonas Siegenthaler turned the puck over to Miller along the boards. It was his NHL-leading 18th goal this season.

Sam Lafferty cut it to 5-4 at 13:58 with a redirection of Quinn Hughes' point shot, and Nils Hoglander scored on the rebound of Hughes' shot from the left boards to tie it 5-5 at 16:34.

“It's tough now,” Quinn said when asked if he could appreciate playing against both of his brothers. “I'm sure they're appreciating it more than I am right now, but it's very cool. Looking back the next couple of days or months, it'd be a cool one.”

NOTES: Haula played 15:21 in his return after missing three games with a lower-body injury. … New Jersey defenseman Brendan Smith served the final game of his two-game suspension for slashing Philadelphia Flyers forward Travis Konecny in a 4-3 overtime win Thursday. ... Canucks forward Elias Pettersson had two assists. … Boeser has eight points (five goals, three assists) during a five-game point streak.