5 Lineup Changes To Help New Jersey Devils Scoring

Put Jimmy Vesey With Bastian And McLeod

It’s clear that Nathan Bastian and Michael McLeod are best when they are playing together. When the Seattle Kraken took Bastian in the expansion draft last offseason, a lot of people were worried about what this meant for McLeod. They were right to question, and McLeod looked much, much better since Bastian returned. The Devils have tried to put Bastian in other places in the lineup since he has a scoring touch, but it’s clear where he should be.

With Miles Wood still recovering from preseason hip surgery, there’s a huge hole on that line. Those three just made perfect sense together. Last season, there were three lines the Devils looked like would work. Wood-McLeod-Bastian might have been the best in terms of chemistry.

This season, with no Wood and a late start for Bastian, it was a late start chemistry-wise. It seems like things are back to normal for the Super Buddies, but with Wood likely out for weeks, it’s time to find someone to work with them.

Jimmy Vesey has been with Bastian and McLeod for part of the season. He’s played close to 55 minutes with them. His numbers aren’t great, but they are actually much better than Bastian and McLeod’s without him. With Vesey, the line gives up fewer chances overall. McLeod and Bastian do get more chances, but with more time we’re confident Vesey will get there as well. This seems like it should be obvious. Vesey has been a defensive-focused forward this season. With the Devils using this line against the opponents top line, it makes sense he would get this opportunity.