New Jersey Devils: 5 Most Surprising Stats Of 12-Game Winning Streak

Michael McLeod, Nico Hischier, and Erik Haula Faceoff Percentage: 60%, 56%, 55%

Faceoffs aren’t the end all be all we once thought they were, but they are still incredibly important. They are especially important in certain situations. The fact that Michael McLeod, Erik Haula, and Nico Hischier are all well over 50% in faceoff percentage shows the Devils really focused on something that wasn’t a strength. The Devils didn’t win many faceoffs last season. This year, they are getting possession when they need it.

Faceoffs are most important on the penalty kill. Getting possession at the beginning of the kill takes off crucial seconds from the opponent’s advantage. It can be the difference between a successful kill and a goal against. McLeod wins 77% of the faceoffs on the kill during this stretch. Hischier wins just under 57%.

The hockey world might not appreciate faceoffs as they should, but it’s clear that the Devils didn’t agree. They worked on faceoffs. They did it a lot, clearly. Hischier had a complete turnaround in the faceoff dot under Lindy Ruff. He is playing as well in the dot as he’s ever played. He gets possession at an incredible clip.

Playing Haula with Jack Hughes also allows the team to get possession for their best player. Hughes still struggles in the dot, but now he can focus on playing center once the Devils get possession. Haula does that for this team, helping them get to the next level.