New Jersey Devils: The Good, Bad And The Miles Wood

NEWARK, NEW JERSEY - JANUARY 14: Mackenzie Blackwood #29 of the New Jersey Devils stops a shot by Charlie McAvoy #73 of the Boston Bruins in the first period during the home opening game at Prudential Center on January 14, 2021 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
NEWARK, NEW JERSEY - JANUARY 14: Mackenzie Blackwood #29 of the New Jersey Devils stops a shot by Charlie McAvoy #73 of the Boston Bruins in the first period during the home opening game at Prudential Center on January 14, 2021 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
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New Jersey Devils
Mackenzie Blackwood #29 of the New Jersey Devils (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

And Then There’s Miles Wood

What do we make of a guy who is scoring a goal one minute and heading to the penalty box the next? This is exactly why Miles Wood is a bit of an enigma within the Devils fan base. He could create so much with his speed, but his inability to stop crashing into goaltenders and going into the penalty box is maddening. He was a reason why the Devils got a point, but also a big reason why the Devils gave up the second Bruins goal.

With all due respect to Wood, having him in crucial parts of the game with under a minute left is unsettling. I get the team is missing Nico Hischier and Jesper Bratt, but he should not be in the game in that critical juncture.

Part of the intrigue of Miles Wood is never knowing what you’re going to get from him. I guess that’s what makes him such a fascinating player for the team when he’s on the ice.

So there it is. There was some good, some bad, and the unpredictability of Miles Wood. But we could all agree that it was awesome to have New Jersey Devils hockey back.