New Jersey Devils Week Two Grades After Adding Four More Points
Line Two
Johnsson-Zacha-Gusev
This line has been mostly invisible and it is hard to say why. Pavel Zacha missed a fantastic chance on a nearly empty net against the Islanders on Thursday and scored his first of the year on Sunday. Still, he needs to be a little more consistent in at least applying pressure to the opposition on top of his defensive play.
Nikita Gusev has continued to struggle, but his hands and legs looked to be moving better. He made a risky but nice play to get his first point of the season. It was risky, and if it was poke checked or he lost control it was a breakaway for the other team. That would have been a very different night.
As for Andreas Johnsson, he is noticeable for about 10 seconds a game and should be the first player to get a healthy scratch designation. There has been no offensive pressure, good plays or even much on the physical side from him. This is not the player the Devils traded for and after two weeks it is time to be settled in and if he doesn’t turn it around this week it should be an easy choice to slot Jesper Bratt right into his spot.
Week two grade: Johnsson D : Zacha C : Gusev C
Line Three
Wood-Zajac-Boqvist
Miles Wood once again continued to drive the net hard and kept his nose clean. Screening the goalie on the powerplay and making smarter decisions after a few years of questionable plays, this is what he needs to do to be a solid middle six NHLer. He has impressed big time. His chemistry with the always reliable Travis Zajac is clear and these two need to be together all year as a pair. Zajac even looks to be skating stronger and pushing the offensive pace more after such a long time off which might have been good for him.
Jesper Boqvist played in two of the games before being pulled out of the lineup for Merkley, while Janne Kuokkanen took his place on this line. The change was not noticeable as the other two carried the line and the young Swede needs to step his play up in every way. He is a skilled player and is just not getting involved in the play enough so the effort level or at least compete level needs to improve.
Week two grade: Wood A : Zajac A : Boqvist D
Line Four
Bastian-McLeod-Kuokkanen/Merkley
Nathan Bastian and Mike McLeod have continued to show they want to be here and deserve to be here. After looking like both would be AHL players they hit everyone they can, play smart defense and every game get a few good scoring chances. Bastian has his first goal of the season and the others are pointless but eventually it will come and for McLeod especially, he just needs to stay the course.
For Kuokkanen and Merkley, they played alright at best but need to show more. Merkley only had one game against a very strong defensive team and still should have some time to prove he can stick it out in the NHL. Kuokkanen needs to step it up faster having given us nothing so far.
Week two grade: Bastian B+ : McCleod B : Kuokkanen C / Merkley C
First Line
Subban-Murray
P.K. Subban for the first two games felt like he had no hockey IQ, taking bad penalties pinching when it was the wrong choice and managed to be on for almost every goal. In game three he settled down but overall his play needs to be taken up t a way higher level. He does however continue to play the most minutes on this team. For Murray, he has been quiet but this is pretty much what we need from him and with a risk taker like Subban. He just needs to be strong defensively. So far this has been a great pick up.
Week Two grade: Subban D : Murray B
Second Line
Kulikov-Severson
This pair once again was quietly good and Dmitry Kulikov has brought more of a physical presence than expected. Their chemistry still is fantastic and while it would be nice to see a few points from Damon Severson, having him shut down the other team is more important. For the expectations these two have been fantastic and this will carry the Devils out of the basement having such a solid, reliable, consistent pairing.
Week Two grade: Kulikov A : Severson B
Defense Three
Smith-Tennyson
Matt Tennyson has been a big bonus for us this year much like Ty Smith. He looks beyond confident out on the ice and is laying out the body like way more players in red this season. He is showing each game why and how he beat out Butcher for the spot and should remain in this spot.
Ty Smith has been an absolute star in the making and there is no other way to put it. Six points in five games while not being a defensive liability speaks wonders and he doesn’t even back down from other players who try to muck it up in the crease. Right now he has to be the leader for the Calder and if he keeps this up it will go a long way to the Devils building a defense that is not just good but great.
Week Two grade: Smith A : Tennyson B
Next. Devils Week 1 Roundup. dark
Goaltending
Mackenzie Blackwood was solid again, especially 5v5 where he held the Rangers to one goal. This is a super positive look for the Devils who if they can stay out of the box should win a lot more games than predicted. Unfortunately, the Devils star is out due to COVID-19 protocols, so we wish him the best in staying or getting healthy and getting back into the lineup soon.
Scott Wedgewood stepped in for Blackwood in the second and third games, playing good in game two despite the sub .900 save percentage and in game three pulled off a big shut out to keep the team on pace and in a winning mind set. Having a backup that can win games and that the team has faith in is huge and even the way they played in front of him showed that they know he can do just that. With this one two punch in net the Devils could surprise some teams this season and even get themselves out of the basement of the leagues standings.
Week Two grade: Blackwood A : Wedgewood A-