"Dougie Hamilton, Jack Hughes Propel New Jersey Devils to Victory Over Detroit Red Wings 4-3"

The New Jersey Devils beat the Detroit Red Wings 4-3 in their season opener, with Dougie Hamilton scoring the winning goal.

The New Jersey Devils kicked off their season with a 4-3 victory over the Detroit Red Wings on Thursday night. Dougie Hamilton scored the game-winning goal in the third period, while Vitek Vanecek made 32 saves to secure the win for the Devils.

Hamilton's goal came at 15:37 of the third period, as he fired a powerful shot from the point that beat Red Wings goaltender Ville Husso. The goal was a relief for Hamilton, who had failed to score in the preseason and was unsure when his first goal would come.

Jack Hughes was the standout player for the Devils, scoring two goals in the second period. He received support from Jonas Siegenthaler, who recorded three assists in the game. Despite not playing their best hockey, the Devils were happy to start the season with a win and gain two points in the standings.

Erik Haula sealed the victory for the Devils with an empty-net goal at 18:29 of the third period. However, the Red Wings managed to score one more goal before the final buzzer, with Robby Fabbri finding the back of the net at 19:26.

The Red Wings had goals from Alex DeBrincat and Daniel Sprong, with DeBrincat's goal coming on a power play. DeBrincat, a Michigan native, was acquired by the Red Wings in a trade with the Ottawa Senators.

The game saw a scoreless first period, with both teams having power-play opportunities but failing to convert. The second period saw a flurry of goals, with Sprong breaking the deadlock for the Red Wings at 12:14. However, Hughes quickly responded with a power-play goal at 13:39, followed by another goal at 18:43 to give the Devils the lead.

Hughes, who was the Devils' leading scorer last season, received chants of "MVP!" from the crowd after his second goal. Although he appreciated the support, Hughes felt it was a bit premature to be considered for the MVP award.

The third period saw Hughes penalized for slashing, leading to a tying goal by DeBrincat. The game was tightly contested, with both teams having opportunities to score. Vanecek made a crucial save in the second period, denying Andrew Copp on a breakaway.

The Devils had a strong start to the game, with the Red Wings outshooting them in the first period. However, the Devils managed to turn the tide in the second period and control the game. Despite some turnovers, the Devils' speed and offensive chances proved to be too much for the Red Wings.

Devils coach Lindy Ruff received a warm reception from the crowd, as he signed a multiyear contract extension the day before the game. Ruff led the Devils to their first playoff series win since 2012 last season.

The Devils have a strong record in season-opening games, and they continued that trend with this win. They will look to build on their success when they host the Arizona Coyotes in their next game. The Red Wings, on the other hand, will aim to bounce back when they face the Tampa Bay Lightning in their next matchup.

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