The New Jersey Devils are not sitting in a pretty spot. It is more indicative of injuries than it is how good this team is this season.
The New Jersey Devils defeated the Arizona Coyotes in a shootout on Saturday afternoon. This was a game where they say a lot of key pieces return to the lineup, and oh what a difference it made. Nico Hischier, Kyle Palmieri, Sami Vatanen, Miles Wood, and Mirco Mueller all made their returns to the lineup. It was so noticeable that this many difference makers were back on the ice. They were able to compete with a team like Arizona, who is currently in an intense battle for the final playoff position in the Western Conference.
Hischier was perhaps the most noticeable of the bunch. He didn’t collect a point, but he did have four shots on goal and had over 21 minutes of ice time. This guy is going to be an absolute stud for the Devils. He is a game-breaking type player. Everyone should expect an explosion from Nico next year, especially if Taylor Hall comes back and stays healthy.
This win improved the Devils record to 28-39-9, giving them 65 points on the season. That puts them fourth worst in the NHL. As good as the future looks, the injury circus has made it look like a top-five pick could be on the horizon as well. The lottery odds will be higher than most teams in the league.
Are the New Jersey Devils the fourth worst team in the NHL? Absolutely not. They were so decimated by injuries and they still haven’t crept into the bottom three in the league. They also traded some pieces that got high levels of ice time at the trade deadline. If this team was healthy all year long, they would be much higher in the standings. Next year is looking better and better as time goes on.
They have kept it close with teams fighting for something with a depleted lineup and as guys come back they look even better. Guys like Michael McLeod and Kenny Agostino continue to improve and bid for jobs next year. All of these things make it appear that the future is bright as long as they keep working hard and developing as an organization.
The Devils are back in action on Monday night at the Rock when the Buffalo Sabres come in. This is another game in the development of the young guys and the hope of everyone playing well while maintaining a decent draft lottery position as the season winds down. Don’t expect the Devils to lie down and die quickly, they are proud guys. It is okay to root for the future while keeping the present in mind.