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New Jersey Devils: Jesper Bratt Proves He Should Never Be Scratched

By Vincent Parise

NEWARK, NEW JERSEY - FEBRUARY 20: Jesper Bratt #63 of the New Jersey Devils scores on Martin Jones #31 of the San Jose Sharks at 16:15 of the second period at the Prudential Center on February 20, 2020 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
NEWARK, NEW JERSEY - FEBRUARY 20: Jesper Bratt #63 of the New Jersey Devils scores on Martin Jones #31 of the San Jose Sharks at 16:15 of the second period at the Prudential Center on February 20, 2020 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /
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The New Jersey Devils looked foolish by scratching Jesper Bratt against the St. Louis Blues. He solidified his spot in the lineup in his first game back.

The New Jersey Devils made the foolish decision to scratch Jesper Bratt just one game after being named the first star in a win against the Columbus Blue Jackets. He came out of the lineup in favor of John Hayden, who is a far inferior player. They created nothing offensively that night and were shutout by the St. Louis Blues. They honestly got what they deserved for not dressing the best possible lineup against the defending Stanley Cup Champions.

The coach put Bratt back in for their game against the San Jose Sharks, and boy did he make them look bad in hindsight. He scored a highlight-reel goal after Nikita Gusev sprung him for a breakaway. He made a sweet move on Martin Jones to tie the game. So in the last three Devils games, Bratt was scratched for one and had a point in the first and third games (on top of the shootout winner in the first game). He is one of the better offensive players on an offensively-challenged team so scratching him is not smart.

The Devils also saw Nikita Gusev have another great game. He really knows how to dish the puck and it is becoming more fun to watch every game. He was the only Devils player to have a multi-point night as he assisted on P.K. Subban‘s tying goal. It was his fifth multi-point game of the season. Gusev’s future with the Devils isn’t as clear as some other players on the team but it would be nice to see the team keep him around.

MacKenzie Blackwood also stood on his head once again for the Devils in this game. He made 36 saves on 37 shots to earn his personal fifth win in a row. He made a whopping 197 saves on 202 shots over those five games for a .975 save percentage. If he keeps this up, it is possible that he gets consideration for the Calder nomination. The winner will be one of Quinn Hughes or Cale Makar but the third-place spot is still up for grabs.

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All in all, it was a weird game seeing these two teams play in the spots they are in. The Devils came out on top with Jesper Bratt leading the way after that ignorant healthy scratch. He should never really be a healthy scratch for this team as they are currently constructed. Hopefully, that is the last of that nonsense. In their next game, the Devils are welcoming the Washington Capitals to Newark on Saturday where there is a chance for a bit of history.

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