2. The Banner
Every time the Devils win the division, they put a banner up at the Prudential Center. This is less about the banner itself and more about what it represents. Following an embarrassing campaign, the 2022-23 Devils have shattered all expectations, securing the biggest turnaround season in NHL history with a win against the Caps on Thursday night.
That win would also give them the best season since the franchise moved to New Jersey in both wins and points. Jack Hughes surpassed Patrik Elias for the franchise’s single-season point record. The team enjoyed a league-high 13-game win streak in November. Vitek Vanecek became the only Devils goalie besides Martin Brodeur to post 30 wins in a season. Dougie Hamilton had the most goals of any Devils defenseman ever. The list goes on and on. There is so much to commemorate.
“This has been a historic season,” Devils fan Eddie Davenport said. “It would be special to have a banner up there to look at and remember all the memories from this season if we don’t go all the way.”
Whether the phenomenal regular season can translate to a deep playoff run will remain to be seen, but the first banner in the rafters since 2012 makes a statement that the New Jersey Devils are back on the map – solidifying that this is the team to beat.