New Jersey Devils: “Up tempo” System About To Be Tested

The New Jersey Devils are about to have their up-tempo system tested.

The New Jersey Devils have played well over the first three games. They aren’t Stanley Cup good yet, but that isn’t the goal this year. The goal is to keep building towards sustained success. If they make the playoffs this year along the way that would be great, but it shouldn’t be the end all be all. They have seen players like Jack Hughes, Mackenzie Blackwood, Ty Smith, and Yegor Sharangovich all make huge jumps and that has allowed them to start 2-0-1.

There has also been a clear difference in the way that they play the game. Lindy Ruff has come in and changed their system. It is much more up-tempo, which allows the players on this team to play to the best of their ability. They need to learn to be better defensively over time if they ever do want to win the Stanley Cup. For now, development is key.

Jack Hughes put on a clinic in the Devils’ most recent game against the New York Rangers. That is a tribute to his growth, knowledge, and being set up for success by the coaches. There are a few teams, however, who might counter this system well. The Boston Bruins did a pretty good job of it but they weren’t able to score an even-strength goal either.

The New York Islanders are similar to the Bruins in that sense and that will challenge this up-tempo system again. Before hiring Barry Trotz, they couldn’t keep the puck out of their own net but now they are one of the best defensive teams in the league. That doesn’t mean that the Devils can’t score a lot and win the game but they should expect chances to be a bit harder to come by.

Without Nico Hischier and Jesper Bratt, it may be hard to counter what the Islanders do. Of course, the play of Mackenzie Blackwood has been exceptional, so that could help keep the Devils in this game. He is sure to get the start in this game.

One line to keep an eye on against the Islanders is the second line. So far, they have been the most underwhelming line on the team. Nikita Gusev, Pavel Zacha, and Andreas Johnsson are expected to contribute more than they have so far. The two wingers will probably be more successful when the team is healthier (Hischier is worlds better than Zacha), but that isn’t really an excuse. The Devils need more from them and this game feels like the perfect time to see it.

The Islanders made it to the Conference Finals last year for a reason. The Devils need a big team effort in order to win. They bent but didn’t break on Tuesday night against the New York Rangers. That was a character win that they probably wouldn’t have won last season. They need to take these lessons and use them to continue on in this strange season.