New Jersey Devils: Nico Hischier Shows Leadership In Win Vs. Sabres

The New Jersey Devils earned an awesome 4-3 victory over the Buffalo Sabres on Thursday night. It was one of the more entertaining games that you will watch all season long just based on the nature of the sport. There were three different leads lost throughout regulations before the Devils won in overtime. The Devils were desperate to grab that sacred extra standings point. They earned it thanks to a sweet play by Pavel Zacha.

Zacha had one of the best games you could possibly imagine out of him. He is now on an eight-game points streak which is remarkable when you think about it. Thanks to all of this recent success, he is now the current New Jersey Devils leading scorer. Jack Hughes, Ty Smith, and Jesper Bratt all had tremendous games themselves. Even when those plays didn’t always end up in the net, these were the best skaters on the team.

Of course, you also can’t forget Nico Hischier. He is clearly one of New Jersey’s best players and it is going to stay that way for a long time. Like Hughes, Bratt, Zacha, and Smith, Nico Hischier drove play all night. He helped created shots for himself and others in bunches. That led to him scoring his first goal of the season which also happens to be his first point of the year as well.

Hischier is going to contribute plenty of offense, however, he is also relied on in other aspects of the game. He blocks shots, kills penalties, and will score that big clutch goal to put you ahead late. Everything you would want from an on and off ice leader, you will find in Nico Hischier.

Some people were already starting to doubt this young man early this season. Well, before today he had only played in three games. All of those came after a broken leg and a COVID-19 infection. It has been a tough road back for Hischier as he went almost a full year without a game but the production is coming.

The fact that he finally scored that first one should mean a lot. You have seen it with other guys as they need that first to start seeing more. Hischier is even a little different because of all the pressure he has now. Newly named the captain, Hischier has some big shoes to fill on this team. So far, he has filled them well as he embodies everything this team needs from their captain in order to start winning.

Another thing that was noticeable was the play Hischier had against a few oppoents. Of course, Taylor Hall sticks out amongst them. He was statistically and visually horrible when he was out there against Nico Hischier at full strength. This is a part of Hischier’s game that is just as important as the goals and assists. Between Hughes and Hischier, they pretty much have it covered. They are back in action on Saturday afternoon against the Washington Capitals.