New Jersey Devils Use Art Of War To Get Jack Hughes Going
One of the keys to Jack Hughes success for the New Jersey Devils is not just how fast and agile he is, but how slick he can be with his creativity. In the book by Tsun Tzu is summed up “the opportunity to secure ourselves against defeat lies in our own hands, but the opportunity of defeating the enemy is provided by the enemy himself.”
After summing up the meaning of that quote in a nutshell, Jack Hughes and Nikita Gusev alike were able to secure the puck and enter the offensive zone. The way both Hughes and Gusev knew what the Bruins could’ve done on the counter attack would go against them. On the flip side, the Bruins mismanaged Jack Hughes, not being able to contain neither Jack Hughes sneaking around and on net and tapping home a Gusev pass for the game-winning assist.
If you understand the thinking from this next quote this one should make even more sense. “Warfare is based on deception. Hence, when able to attack, we must seem unable; when using our forces, we must seem inactive; when we are near, we must make the enemy believe we are far away; when far away, we must make him believe we are near. Hold out baits to entice the enemy. Feign disorder, and crush him.”
– Sun Tzu, the Art of War
How does that quote translate to Jack Hughes’ preseason game? For starters if you watched Sami Vatanen set up the pass across from the face-off circle. Jack was just near the right faceoff circle parallel from Vatanen. Jack used his stealth and his deceptiveness to get open away from four Bruins on defense. That gave Vatanen a fat seam to pass through. Not only was Hughes open, but he knew where to snipe on that quick wrist shot.
For those who think you can contain Jack Hughes whether he’s on even strength or on a power play, good luck trying. His wits combined with some slick backhanded passes are like something out of NHL 20. Also, best of luck trying to contain Gusev. Nikita Gusev may not be as fast as Hughes, but he did show that he can fight off defenders with his stick handling, and his back being squared to a defender trying to strip the puck from him.
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To put this game versus Boston in a nut shell, if this kind of chemistry behind Hughes and Gusev carry over into the regulars season, this team is going to be phenomenal. The way Coach Hynes is beginning to deploy guys like Hall-Hischier-Palms should help this team score more goals. However, with Gusev-Hughes-Boqvist as a line, this can be an extremely exciting top six.
However, the strategy Hynes uses from the Art of War being able to make his players deceive opponents and firing at will. This kind of strategy should not only utilized by Hughes and Gusev, but should also be implemented to the bottom-six lines.
The job of the bottom-six lines will be to keep pounding away at the enemy defenses. It means Miles Wood uses his speed, physicality, and his grittiness to get opponents frustrated. Travis Zajac on the other hand is very smart. He uses his wits to help in many situations with and without the puck. Blake Coleman can be crafty, but more of a strong winger who is very responsible with the puck and makes the right decisions.
It is not just how skilled the team is, but it is also how well managed John Hynes puts each forward line. If players like Gusev and Hughes play the way the Art of War is written on this roster then the outcome of each came should be positive. The philosophy from the Bruins preseason game that is implemented the more that this ancient philosophy is used can be vital in helping the Jack Hughes now, and long term will benefit both the Devils getting to the playoffs and eventually becoming very successful to begin creating a dynasty.