New Jersey Devils Daily: Panthers Preview, John Hynes, More
By Nick Villano
On today’s New Jersey Devils Daily, previewing tonight’s matchup against the Florida Panthers, what’s going right for John Hynes and Bryce Salvador gives back.
The New Jersey Devils look to keep rolling against the hapless Florida Panthers tonight at the Prudential Center. What are the Panthers looking to focus on tonight? The two teams are fighting for very different reasons. The Devils are trying to stay atop the Metropolitan Division, while the Panthers are trying to avoid the Eastern Conference basement. There are some offensive pieces the Panthers will focus on, as Fox Sports Florida says in the preview. With just 12 goals in the last seven games, the Cats will look to get going on the road.
Preview: Slumping Panthers try to cool off surging Devils
Pucks and Pitchforks looks at what changed with John Hynes this season. The Devils head coach has been night and day from this year to last. His ability to change this team’s identity has been the main reason the Devils find themselves in first place. Give him credit for making all the right moves, including adding Brian Gibbons to the roster and dropping Adam Henrique to the fourth line to light a fire under him. He’s an early Jack Adams Award candidate.
New Jersey Devils: What Changed With John Hynes?
Taylor Hall has been amazing this season. There are no ifs, ands or buts about that. He’s playing much better than he was in his first season with the Devils. That’s with him admitting to NorthJersey.com’s Andrew Gross that he isn’t playing at 100 percent energy right now. That’s a scary proposition. With injuries to top-six forwards Marcus Johansson and Kyle Palmieri, Hall has been even better. His handles are amazing, and he’s scoring up to his talent level.
How Taylor Hall is taking charge for the Devils
John Fischer with All About The Jersey looks at some of the advanced shooting statistics of the Devils early in the season. The most interesting thing about his analysis is Nico Hischier’s shot chart. He’s taking almost all of his shots from up close. You don’t see that from most rookies. While other players just throw pucks at the night, Hischier finds a way to get to those high-percentage areas to make his shots. Expect his goal numbers to go up soon.
Where the Top New Jersey Devils Shooters are Shooting the Puck at Even Strength
Ex-Devils captain and current man in between the glass Bryce Salvador just joined a great organization. Chris Ryan with NJ.com explains his role with JAG Physical Therapy. He wants to teach parents and coaches about how youth injuries should be handled. With children being dealt with much different than adults, some injuries could be mishandled. It’s a great cause that may otherwise go under the radar.
Ex-Devil Bryce Salvador to serve as ambassador for youth injuries