The New Jersey Devils beat the Chicago Blackhawks on the road despite being down 4-1 in the first period. This shows this is a completely different team than last year.
There is something special going on with the New Jersey Devils this season. This team took one offseason to go from the laughing stock of the Eastern Conference, to a team to watch out for. Obviously, GM Ray Shero had a decent offseason. He gave up picks to acquire top-six forward Marcus Johansson. Will Butcher chose the Devils after leaving the Colorado Avalanche as a college free agent. Brian Boyle and Drew Stafford both signed to bring a veteran presence to a crop of young, skilled forwards.
That being said, almost every single analyst in the NHL and beyond picked the Devils to finish last in the Metropolitan Division. Well…
The Devils miraculous victory over the Chicago Blackhawks shows this is a different team. If last year’s team goes down three goals to a juggernaut, that team was already playing for another night. This team thinks a comeback is always one play away.
Let’s take a trip to December 1st, 2016. It was the last time a Devils player scored a hat trick. Ironically, it was also against the Blackhawks. The Devils lost. Sunday night, Miles Wood scored his first career hat trick. Unlike when Travis Zajac scored his less than a year ago, the Devils rallied around Wood to score themselves instead of sitting back and trying to ride the hot hand.
Everything is different about this Devils team. Last year, when the goalie was not sharp, whether it be Cory Schneider or Keith Kinkaid, the Devils could not pick up their teammate. Schneider and Kinkaid can win it on their own, but when they don’t have that on any given night, that was a loss last year. This year, it’s different (catching the theme here?).
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This Devils team is so fun to watch. Wood finally eliminates most of his mistakes that ruined his game last year. His speed is unlike anything on this team and most others. Nico Hischier is playing like a veteran already. He’s making the right passes at the right time. while also scoring one of his own Sunday night. Butcher gives Devils fans something to root for on the blue line. Taylor Hall has been playing like one of the best players in hockey, even tying Connor McDavid in points. Schneider and Kinkaid make some of the best highlight-reel saves of the season. Oh, and Brian Gibbons is leading the team with eight goals.
What’s not to love? After a blip on the radar where they lost four in a row, the Devils proved they could bounce back. This team is different, it’s fun and as of right now, this team is a winner.