Kyle Palmieri showed all season he deserves a spot on the New Jersey Devils top line. He’s following up last year’s break out with another very good campaign.
When the New Jersey Devils traded for a 24-year-old forward from the Anaheim Ducks, most fans were on board. Kyle Palmieri looked like he could easily be a 20 goals scorer with some seasoning. That next year, he became a 30 goal scorer.
Palmieri once again is have a good season. He clearly found his stride with the Devils.
For many games, his line with Travis Zajac and Taylor Hall are the only one on the team that has any offensive momentum.
Even before scoring his two third-period goals against the New York Rangers on Saturday, Palmieri’s line had two amazing chances, both out of this word saves by Antti Raanta.
When the team needed Palmieri most, he was there. He scored a an absolute snipe to tie the game. In the first minute of the third, Palmieri takes a pass from Zajac at the blue line, makes sure he gets it past the line to keep in onsides, splits Dan Girardi and Ryan McDonagh and puts it in a place Raanta can only get a piece of it.
It took a myriad of things to go right for Palmieri to get that goal.
His second goal came off a perfect deflection. Andy Greene took a slapper from just above the left circle on the start of the powerplay. Palmieri put himself in a position where he could deflect it, but wouldn’t get in the way of the shot. The puck made a serious change of direction, and instead of going into Raanta’s glove it went right into the corner of the net.
Unfortunately, Palms had a chance on a breakaway in overtime and couldn’t put it home. A lone dark spot on an otherwise great night for him.
More from Pucks and Pitchforks
- Should New Jersey Devils Try Load Management With Vitek Vanecek?
- New Jersey Devils Will Prove That Last Year Wasn’t A Fluke
- New Jersey Devils: Luke Hughes’ Playmaking Will Outshine His Mistakes
- New Jersey Devils: Chase Stillman’s Performance Causes Concern
- Can Devils Fans Separate Zach Parise Heartbreak From Achievements?
2017 has been Palmieri’s year. After a rough start to the season (three goals in the first two months), because of this he has been fantastic. In January, he scored six goals in 14 games. In February, he has five goals in 10.
In the past eight games Palms scored, the Devils have came out with at least a point in seven. He scores at the right time when the team needs it most.
What makes it even better if the team has him locked up. According to Cap Friendly, Palms will make $4.65 million per year until 2021. That is a very affordable contract for the production he is giving this team.
After years of a lack of top scorers, the Devils now have their top line locked in. The rest of the offense? They could use some work.