Pucks and Pitchforks
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4 New Jersey Devils Who Desperately Need Stanley Cup Championship

By Nick Villano

Former New Jersey Devil Scott Stevens (C) raises the Stanley Cup during the 2003 Championship 20th Anniversary Celebration Presented by Citizens before the first period between the New Jersey Devils and the Philadelphia Flyers at Prudential Center on February 25, 2023 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
Former New Jersey Devil Scott Stevens (C) raises the Stanley Cup during the 2003 Championship 20th Anniversary Celebration Presented by Citizens before the first period between the New Jersey Devils and the Philadelphia Flyers at Prudential Center on February 25, 2023 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /
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New Jersey Devils
New Jersey Devils left wing Tomas Tatar (90): Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /

4 Devils Who Need Lord Stanley’s Cup: 2. Tomas Tatar

It’s known how things have gone in the playoffs for Tomas Tatar. With the Vegas Golden Knights, he was never a regular member of the lineup during their original run to the Stanley Cup Final. He played two games in the Final against the Washington Capitals but only recorded one point. That was baffling since the Knights sent three draft picks, including a first rounder in the NHL Draft, to get Tatar.

Then, it was even more devastating to see what happened to him in Montreal. During the playoffs in 2021, Tatar’s Montreal Canadiens made an improbable run to the Final, facing the Tampa Bay Lightning. All season, Tatar was on Montreal’s first line, putting up 61 points in 68 games. He might have broken 70 if the season wasn’t shortened. Then, he was benched after only five games. It was a constant question of the coaching staff, but Tatar never got to play in the Final. He was benched after the series with the Toronto Maple Leafs.

This season, the Devils will rally around Tatar. This is a much different environment than the Canadiens. The Devils look up to Tatar, and the coaching staff wouldn’t ruffle those kinds of feathers in this moment.

Tatar deserves this feat. He’s been through a lot, and he signed with the Devils to build on the youth. He bounced back in a major way this season, and if the Devils win the Cup, he might get it right after Hischier lifts it.

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