The New Jersey Devils are 2-5-0 in their last seven games. They’ve score more than 2 goals once in that stretch, in a victory over Pittsburgh, with the second victory coming in a 2-1 game against the Islanders. In those seven losses only three Devils other than Taylor Hall have goals. They are Sami Vatanen, Stefan Noesen, and Jesper Bratt.
In the win over the Islanders, Kyle Palmieri scored both goals, assisted twice by Taylor Hall. In the win over the Penguins, Hall again added two points. I think we’re all noticing a trend here. The New Jersey Devils have serious issues in this lineup on any line that does not include Taylor Hall.
We’re talking about a seven-game stretch, so it’s a small sample, but with the additions of Michael Grabner and Patrick Maroon the idea was that secondary scoring would increase. While Maroon has 3 assists in his first two games as a Devil, Grabner is yet to find himself on the scoresheet.
The Devils two leading scorers at 5v5 this year after Taylor Hall have been Nico Hischier and Miles Wood. In this stretch the two have combined for 3 assists. It isn’t just scoring where the Devils are having issues though. Brian Boyle, who hasn’t scored at 5v5 in his last 27 games and is at 39% on faceoffs in this stretch. That’s the worst of all Devils centers.
This isn’t about any one player performing poorly, but instead the team overall. Outside of Taylor Hall and Sami Vatanen, the team simply isn’t producing. Keith Kinkaid completely turned his game around and the Devils have a healthy Cory Schneider, but there’s nothing either of them can do to boost scoring.
The tough question now is how to fix this.
John Hynes can leave the lineup the same and hope they work it out or even attempt to split the top line to find scoring balance. I’d advocate against that. The middle six for this team certainly needs some shuffling but I would be hesitant to separate Travis Zajac and Stefan Noesen or Pavel Zacha and Miles Wood.
My suggestion would be to put Michael Grabner on his off wing with Zacha and Wood and put Maroon with Zajac and Noesen.
The fourth line could use a shake up as well. Jesper Bratt could play on Boyle’s right wing where there’s less pressure and he is certainly an offensive upgrade over Drew Stafford.
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Now that I’ve highlighted some of the issues on this team, let’s take a look at some positives.
Taylor Hall is a New Jersey Devil.
Sami Vatanen is quietly having a great season for the Devils. 11 points in his last 15 games with a CF% of 51.3 while playing against top competition.
And Keith Kinkaid completely turned his season around.
It’s not time to panic yet, three of these losses were one goal games. All the Devils need is for players other than Taylor Hall to start scoring again and this team will be fine.