The Devils had a five game stretch of playing some of the best teams in the Eastern Conference. In those five games, the Devils won four, solidifying themselves as among the elite in the entire NHL.
After 23 games, the Devils (technically) sit atop the Metropolitan Division and are currently on pace for 107 points. In the last five games, the Devils have defeated the sixth (x2), second, and third place teams in the Eastern Conference. To classify this team as anything other than a juggernaut right now would be dishonest. The Devils aren’t just winning, they are running teams over.
The 2024-25 Devils are a far tougher team to play against compared to any Devils team in recent memory. Last season the Devils had 19 fights all year. Through a little over a quarter of this season, they have already dropped the gloves 11 times. Obviously fighting isn’t everything and a team of goons won’t win anything, I know that and I’m not trying to suggest otherwise. However, hockey is still a physical sport, intimidation still exists and can still be effective. The Devils of this year can’t be pushed around the ice like they were in recent years. New guys Paul Cotter, Brendan Dillon, and Stefan Noesen are leading the team in hits while playing significant minutes, adding an element this team has been sorely lacking for years. Other teams can’t just out-muscle the Devils in front of the net or along the boards all game long anymore. It’s been a big change and the Devils are much better off for it.
Toughness isn’t just fighting and throwing body checks. Toughness is getting in front of pucks to help your goalie out. The Devils are doing a great job at getting in front of pucks. Brett Pesce is the one who comes to mind first, with 32 blocked shots in just 14 games so far. Against Carolina, the Devils blocked 25 shots in the game and Pesce led the way with six. Last night in Washington, the Devils blocked 28 shots and Pesce again led the team with six. The culture of the team is unbeatable right now, with the whole team being willing to absorb some punishment to help the team win. That toughness is present on all teams who make deep playoff runs so its fantastic to see the Devils have firmly established that within the locker room.
We have two real goalies in the Garden State and it feels great. Jake Allen was incredible last night in Washington, with 23 saves, including some very difficult ones. Allen has been an incredible back up so far this season, with a .916 save percentage and a 2.39 GAA in eight games so far. Marksrom has been solid as well with a .907 save percentage and 2.54 GAA in 15 games so far. The Devils have been plagued for years by sub par goaltending so having these two back in the crease is a breath of fresh air. The Devils are one of the most offensively talented teams in the NHL and have a very strong defense. They don’t need a Vezina caliber goalie to carry them through the season. Markstrom and Allen are the dependable duo the Devils have been aching for for years now.
The Devils are clicking on all cylinders right now, but especially on the power play. The power play is succeeding 31% of the time, which is second in the NHL and well above the league average 20.6%. When the Devils are on the power play, they are moving around the offensive zone so quickly its damn near impossible of the penalty killers to keep up. However, arguably the biggest improvement to the power play might be the net front presence. Stefan Noesen has been added to the first power play unit and basically owns the front of the net whenever he is out there with a man advantage. Noesen has already collected 4 goals and three assists on the power play so far this season and has provided screens on many other power play goals.
The Devils are ROLLING right now and I don;t see any signs of it slowing down in the near future. Predators and Blues, two teams well under .500 coming up next, let’s keep the good times rolling!
The Morning Skate 
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