Jonathan Lekkerimaki scores deciding goal in shootout to give Canucks 4-3 win over Devils

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Vancouver Canucks right wing Jonathan Lekkerimaki reacts after scoring the game winning goal in a shootout of an NHL hockey game past New Jersey Devils goaltender Jacob Markstrom, Monday, March 24, 2025, in Newark, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

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Vancouver Canucks right wing Jonathan Lekkerimaki (23) is congratulated by teammates after scoring the winning goal during a shootout of an NHL hockey game against the New Jersey Devils, Monday, March 24, 2025, in Newark, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

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Vancouver Canucks goaltender Thatcher Demko congratulates Jonathan Lekkerimaki (23) who scored the game winning goal during a shootout of an NHL hockey game against the New Jersey Devils Monday, March 24, 2025, in Newark, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

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New Jersey Devils goaltender Jacob Markstrom skates off with a broken stick after giving up a goal during a shootout of an NHL hockey game against the Vancouver Canucks, Monday, March 24, 2025, in Newark, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

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Vancouver Canucks right wing Jonathan Lekkerimaki (23) is congratulated after scoring a goal by Derek Forbort during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the New Jersey Devils Monday, March 24, 2025, in Newark, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

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Vancouver Canucks defenseman Quinn Hughes (43) controls the puck past his brother New Jersey Devils defenseman Luke Hughes during the third period of an NHL hockey game Monday, March 24, 2025, in Newark, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

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Vancouver Canucks center Pius Suter (24) reacts after scoring in front of New Jersey Devils center Nico Hischier (13) during the third period of an NHL hockey game Monday, March 24, 2025, in Newark, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

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Vancouver Canucks goaltender Thatcher Demko, right, stops a shot by New Jersey Devils right wing Timo Meier (28) during a shootout of an NHL hockey game Monday, March 24, 2025, in Newark, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

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New Jersey Devils goaltender Jacob Markstrom reacts after giving up a goal during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Vancouver Canucks Monday, March 24, 2025, in Newark, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

By EVERETT MERRILL

NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — Jonathan Lekkerimaki scored in regulation and got the deciding goal in the fourth round of the shootout, and the Vancouver Canucks beat the New Jersey Devils 4-3 on Monday night.

Pius Suter scored twice for Vancouver, which improved to 3-1 in shootouts this season. Thatcher Demko finished with 22 saves in his first start since a lower body injury on Feb. 8.

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Timo Meier had two goals and Erik Haula also scored for the Devils, and Jacob Markstrom had 25 saves.

Jake DeBrusk scored in the first round of the shootout for Vancouver, and Jesper Bratt tied it for New Jersey in the second round. In the fourth round, Lekkerimaki fired a wrist shot past Markstrom for the win on his first career shootout attempt.

Haula gave the Devils a 3-2 lead with 6:35 to play in the third period, and Suter got his second of the night to tie it with 36 seconds remaining.

Lekkerimaki tied it at 2-2 with a snap shot 45 seconds after Meier gave the Devils a brief 2-1 lead at the 11:02 mark of the third period.

Takeaways

Canucks: Vancouver picked up a critical point to remain in the chase for a wild card in the Western Conference.

Devils: New Jersey extended its lead over Ottawa to two points for third place in the Metropolitan Division. The Senators have played three fewer games.

Key moment

Markstrom stopped Quinn Hughes on a breakaway with a pad save early in overtime.

Key stat

Vancouver defenseman Quinn Hughes led all skaters with 31:38 of ice team and six shots on goal. This was the fourth time this season that Hughes has been on the ice for at least 30 minutes.

Up next

Canucks play at the New York Islanders on Wednesday to continue a season-high six-game trip, and Devils visit Chicago to open a three-game trip.

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AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl