New York. Jesper Bratt is the hottest Swede in the NHL.
When New Jersey beat Minnesota at home at The Rock last night, he scored two more goals, and played through another — thus moving up to first place in the Blue and Yellow scoring league.
– It’s very nice to feel like you can make a difference for the team when you’re on the ice, says the 25-year-old from Transgund to Sportbladet after the 4-3 win.
The Devil’s start to the season can be described as somewhat strange.
The team has stumbled this way unexpectedly at times – but some individual players still excelled.
Jack Hughes, for example, is the biggest single exclamation point in the entire league – and Jesper Brat is showing night after night that he really deserves the massive contract he signed last summer.
Last night, against the Wild at home, the No. 63 in red and black took over the entire show. He scored two fantastic goals and was also responsible for the excellent play on the goal scored by Tyler Toffoli.
This means that with a total of six goals and eight assists in eight games, Jesper leads the Swedish league for goal scorers – and ranks third in total points, behind the aforementioned Hughes and Detroit’s Dylan Larkin.
– Yes, fun with two basins after very nice performances, he says when we reach him after the final whistle.
-It’s so nice to feel like you can make a difference for the team when you’re on the ice.
Coach Lindy Ruff thinks so, too.
– In Jesper, I see a man with more energy than last year. He shoots faster, does better things on the ice, and is more dynamic in the way he moves. They say that his presence is a luxury.
However, both men are thrilled that the Devils also put forth a strong team effort this time.
– Above all, it was good that we started the match well. Starting games has been a problem for us this season, but tonight we were very good from the start, Jesper continues.
– Through strong play and strong play in the box, we achieved a very wonderful victory.
Jonas Brodin and Joel Eriksson Ek each contributed an assist for the Wild.