The Devils have looked good recently, despite being shutout by San Jose, but the next three games should tell us a lot about how the Devils stack up with Eastern Conference contenders.
The Devils have won five of their last seven games even after being shutout by Mackenzie Blackwood and the Sharks tonight and a bad bounce own goal by Timo Meier. The Devils next three games will all be played in the Sunshine state against the Panthers and Lightning. I think we should all be feeling optimistic as the season rolls on.
Jack Hughes has been heating up. He had consecutive three point games against the Islanders and Montreal respectively. Jack had an off night against the Sharks tonight and looked a step slower than usual. However, don’t miss the forest by looking at the trees. Jack started the season slowly, but in the last few games prior to tonight, he was buzzing and taking over games. Even tonight, a game where he did not look like he was at his best, Jack put 8 shots on net. The greater trend right now is showing Jack Hughes getting back to being at his best like he has been over the last few years.That’s a big problem for the rest of the league.
Special Teams. The Devils currently have the 7th best penalty kill in the NHL and 5th best power play in the NHL. Exceeding in both special teams categories is a big piece in winning close games against good teams. If the Devils can continually capitalize on the man advantage and kill off penalties against them, that is a recipe for success. Tonight Sheldon Keefe tried something interesting and unusual by putting Jack Hughes and Bratt on the ice during the penalty kill. Neither Jack or Bratt are typically on the penalty kill, but putting two elite skaters out there seemed to work out pretty well as the Devils went 3/3 on the kill.
The Devils next two games are both on the road against the Eastern Conference leading and defending Stanley Cup champion Panthers on Tuesday and Thursday. If the Devils can take three or more points from those two games, that would be massive in proving that the Devils are one of the elite teams in the NHL. The next two games after that are the Lightning and Hurricanes, two other contending teams. So, the Devils have looked good recently, but have four huge games coming up next.
The Morning Skate 