Pucks and Pitchforks
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New Jersey Devils: Depth Scoring Makes This a Dangerous Team

By Tyler Guensch

NEWARK, NJ - DECEMBER 18: New Jersey Devils right wing Stefan Noesen (23) celebrates after he scores during the third period of the National Hockey League game between the New Jersey Devils and the Anaheim Ducks on December 18, 2017, at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
NEWARK, NJ - DECEMBER 18: New Jersey Devils right wing Stefan Noesen (23) celebrates after he scores during the third period of the National Hockey League game between the New Jersey Devils and the Anaheim Ducks on December 18, 2017, at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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Monday night’s victory over the Anaheim Ducks showed that this New Jersey Devils team is much different than those of the past few years. The Devils put up 5 goals in the win, and that was with the top line of Hall-Hischier-Palmeiri only recording one point ( a Nico Hishier assist). The Devils’ secondary scoring is much more prominent than in years past with guys like Stefan Noesen, Brian Gibbons, Miles Wood, and Brian Boyle all performing well offensively.

There is no team in this league that can survive strictly based off of the production of their top-six forwards. It is impossible to make a real run without it. The Devils have now solidified that virtue on their team. With the team becoming almost fully healthy, they are performing at a high level. Lets take a look at the guys I mentioned earlier:

Stefan Noesen

Stefan is only 24 years years old and was drafted 21st overall in the 2011 draft by the Ottawa Senators. In the 2010 and 2011 seasons in the OHL on the Plymouth Whalers, Noesen put up 80 and 74 points respectively. These were the seasons that caught the eyes of NHL teams. Noesen never played a game in Ottawa (being a part of the trade that sent Bobby Ryan to Ottawa), and did not have a very long stint in Anaheim (playing only 14 NHL games). Ray Shero must have seen that potential when he claimed him off of waivers in the middle of last year.

Stefan Noesen has been more than the Devils could have hoped for, especially in the past couple of weeks. Although he has just 8 points, he has been coming on strong lately. He is a player that knows his role in the bottom 6. He plays extremely physical and gets pucks to the net. Noesen has had a knack for scoring big goals in recent weeks. He is just another player helping Shero look like the savior of this franchise.

Brian Gibbons

If I would’ve told you Brian Gibbons would be leading the New Jersey Devils in goals on December 20th AND they would be in second place in the Metro division (two points behind Washington with two games at hand) you would have called me crazy, but here we are. Gibbons didn’t have too much NHL experience before this (66 games between the Penguins and Blue Jackets), but he did play for the Pittsburgh Penguins while Ray Shero was the General Manager there. He must have seen something he liked, bringing him in on a Professional Try-out deal in September 2016.

Gibbons has been able to do everything for the Devils this season. However, his knack for putting the puck in the net is the most surprising element of his game. He has been spectacular on the penalty kill with 3 of his 12 goals coming short-handed! Whatever Coach Hynes asks him to do, he comes through in a big way. It is exactly what the Devils need from him.

Miles Wood

Miles Wood has been a key part of the Devils’ team since last season. He’s one of the guys that brings his fiery attitude onto the ice and plays with a lot of emotion and heart. He has exceptional speed and he uses that to his advantage on the ice. Scoring 9 goals this season and 6 assists, he has been a perfect third line kind of player. He comes to play every night and does not shy away from the physical play while making sure not to sacrifice his offensive talents because of it. Wood’s biggest game of his career came this season on November 12th in a 7-5 comeback win for the Devils. This was Miles’ first career hat trick.

Brian Boyle

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When you talk about fiery, emotional players, you can’t leave out Brian Boyle. With the uncertainty looming before the season started with his diagnosis of cancer, it makes his integral play for this team that much more impressive. Boyle is exceeding his expectations that Ray Shero had when he signed him this summer. Nobody expected 8 goals this early in the season from Boyle, but he keeps supplying them in big moments.

Boyle is a another guy that can do anything that is asked of him. He can play the power play and the penalty kill, and skillfully at that. Many people were scratching their heads when Boyle was beginning to be placed on the power play but he has proved that he belongs there, scoring 3 power play goals so far. Boyle also comes up from clutch in big face-off situations. The Devils have not been a good face-off team so far this season, but it seems as though whenever they need to win one Boyle is out there and he gets it done.

With goals coming from guys other than guys like Taylor Hall, Kyle Palmeiri and other guys in the top six, the New Jersey Devils can be a team that sticks around this year. Secondary scoring is vital down the stretch and it seems as though the the Devils have the right mix of skill forwards and grinding forwards to find the back of the net in any situation. If this trend continues, the Devils will continue to thrive.

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