New Jersey Devils: Pucks and Pitchforks Massive Playoff Preview
The New Jersey Devils finally made the playoffs for the first time in five years. The Pucks and Pitchforks team is undoubtedly excited. Let’s take a look at some of our predictions ahead of the start of the Devils-New York Rangers series.
When the time seems right, we call our Pucks and Pitchforks writers to come together and talk about one thing. If you’ve followed along, you’ve seen this before. This is where our writers predicted the breakout of Dawson Mercer, predicted some great records for the team prior to the year, and predicted Matty Beniers as the Calder Trophy winner.
This year, we actually get to do this for the postseason. Even better, it’s coming against the New York Rangers. Let’s just right into it with question number one.
1. Who is the most important player on the Devils this postseason?
Nick Villano: Jack Hughes. Vitek Vanecek sounds like another big choice, but the defense can turn it up and keep pucks away from him. Hughes needs to finish on his chances and show he can play “postseason hockey.”
Vinnie Parise: Ondrej Palat was signed for a lot of money to be big-time in these moments. He didn’t have the regular season production that he wanted, but this is his chance to show his worth. Expect a big series from him.
Dan Rice: Most important – Vanecek. The Devils will need him to steal a game or two, especially in Rd. 1. We all know that the NYR have often scored in quick succession against New Jersey in the past. Vanecek will need to make all of the saves he’s supposed to make and one or three that he maybe shouldn’t make as well.
Charlie Borges Jr.: Ondrej Palat needs to step up, big time. This is why the Devils brought him in. He was a huge component for the Lightning Stanley Cup runs and needs to continue that for the red and black. He did not have a great season with injuries and inconsistencies finding the score sheet. But that could all be forgotten with a historic run for a very young Devils team.
Robert DeLuca: Ondrej Palat. This is exactly the reason NJ signed him long-term. He has the playoff experience and, more importantly, deep run experience. We need to see Tampa Bay Palat in these playoffs.
Joe Stanislau: Ondrej Palat has made it clutch vs. the Rangers and is a showtime guy. Jack Hughes really popped offensively and came up clutch, and Nico Hischier is a close second.
Jonathan Bailey: For me, it’s Ondrej Palat, without a doubt. He performed well on the third line, but he’s played a lot with Jack Hughes lately with no real results. We more or less signed him solely for his experience and pedigree. Now it’s time to see it.
Sam Annaluru: Nico Hischier: The Captain has arguably been the most consistent performer this year, and the Devils will need his defensive prowess against Panarin and Mika. His line has been the best regardless of wingers and will be key if the other lines get in slumps.
David Williams: The simple answer is Jack Hughes. Hughes clearly drives the offense and if he shows up and dazzles the way he did in the regular season this team can make a run.
Jeremy Goldstein: The most important player on the Devils is Vitek Vanecek. There are plenty of important skaters, but this team goes as far as Vanecek takes them. I think a big reason the Devils were finally able to turn things around is because of competent goaltending, and if Vitek plays at his best, the sky is the limit.
Luke Garrison: Jack Hughes. Due to the significant records he set for the Devils all year, he must have a tremendous playoff run to keep up with high expectations.
David Holiday: Vitek Vanecek. This team has a lot of good and important players, but with the depth up front and on the blueline, any single player could be a little off, and they could still win. If Vanecek plays badly the team will be forced to go with either a guy with little experience or, worse would throw Blackwood in. That is a death sentence, especially with the Rangers possibly having the best goalie in the league.
Ethan Fink: The most important player on the Devils team this postseason is Vitek Vanecek. Goaltending is so crucial in the playoffs – and can be the difference in so many games.
Tyler Russell: Vitek Vanecek. The Rangers have many threats up top between Kane, Panarin, Zibanejad, Tarasenko, etc.
Sam Woo: Erik Haula is the most versatile player on the Devils and does all the little things that add up to success. He wins faceoffs, goes hard to the net, and brings veteran leadership. He can play on any line and gives Lindy Ruff options. If he continues his second-half production, it will bode well for the Devils.
2. Which Rangers player makes you most worried?
Villano: Igor Shesterkin obviously scares the heck out of me, but Chris Kreider is the player that can flip this series around. The Rangers need to find ways to produce at even strength, and Kreider is the player that can turn things around.
Parise: Patrick Kane didn’t have a great regular season, but he dealt with some tough circumstances. He is going to be very scary as the playoffs begin.
Rice: Rangers player to worry about – Kane. The second of the NYR two deadline acquisitions, Tarasenko being the other, has had a tepid start to his career in NY. If playoff Patty Kane shows up he could potentially power them to a short series and long playoff run. But that’s the worst-case scenario, from the Devils side of things.
Borges Jr.: The Rangers player that makes me worried is Jacob Trouba. Yeah, I said it. He is a hard-hitting defenseman that won’t chip in a lot offensively. However, all Devils fans know a hard-hitting defenseman is key for a Cup-contending team (see: Stevens, Scott). The Devils are one Trouba hit across the middle away from losing key offensive pieces that will be difficult to replace. I am not saying Trouba will head hunt. I am just saying they need to watch out for him.
DeLuca: Mika Zibanejad. This guy has been nothing but a problem. 32 points in 29 games against NJ, and that only includes his time as a Ranger. He dominates the Devils and needs to be shut down in this series for the Devils to have success.
Stanislau: Igor Shesterkin is the only reason why the Rangers are any good in net. If not the series will be over quickly.
Bailey: Mika Zibanejad. The Devils struggle to maintain their positioning and win pucks defending the cycle, which means there can and will be many opportunities for the Rangers’ leading goal-scorer to lurk around the circles and wait to get an uncontested shot off.
Annaluru: Igor Shesterkin: As one of the league’s best goalies, Shesterkin absolutely has the ability to steal a series. He was shaky in last year’s 1st round matchup against Pittsburgh but really turned it on in the later rounds. I’d expect the latter to be the case here. Honorable Mention: Adam Fox.
Williams: Artemi Panarin is the Rangers player that worries me the most. He has the ability to turn a game on its head with his offensive prowess, especially his shot.
Goldstein: I’m honestly most worried about Filip Chytil. The Zibanejads and the Panarins will be accounted for, but Chytil has taken a massive step up on the 3rd line with 22 goals this season (his previous season high was 14). The Devils must account for Chytil as a threat when the Rangers’ top guns aren’t on the ice.
Garrison: The one player on the Rangers that scares me the most is Mika Zibanejad. In the last few months, Zibanejad has heated up, and in the playoffs, he can be scary at any moment of an important game, especially in a clinching game.
Holiday: Igor Shesterkin. The guy is top-tier and could easily steal multiple games for them and be the deciding factor in a long series.
Fink: Mika Zibanejad makes me the most worried of any Rangers player. He seems to elevate his game not only in the postseason but also against the Devils, making Kreider so much more of a threat.
Russell: Patrick Kane
Woo: Igor Shesterkin. When he is hot, he is virtually unstoppable, no matter how many shots you put on him. On any given night, he can steal the game.
3. What’s one thing, as a Devils fan, you want to see happen?
Villano: I want to see the Devils sweep the Rangers, obviously. If we’re being realistic, I want to see a Jack Hughes hat trick.
Parise: I want to see Nico Hischier rise above. We know he is the second-best player on the team behind Jack Hughes, but the gap isn’t as large as people may think. The captain shining in this series would be huge.
Rice: One thing to happen – I’d like to cover at least two rounds of the playoffs after not covering any for the past five seasons. Also, would like to see the HC get an extension, no matter how far the team goes from here. He’s earned that, at least, after guiding the team to (insert one of the many accomplishments here). The Devils have been in the top-5 of the NHL standings since late November and never looked back or dropped out.
Borges Jr.: I want to see the Devils put up a fight. Many fans and experts say the Devils are not tough enough to make a deep playoff run. They are small and fast but not as tough as other teams in the playoffs right now. I want to see them prove people wrong, have a spine, and hit back when necessary. I am not calling for Hanson Brothers-level fighting. However, hitting back is a must come this part of the year.
DeLuca: Devils fans in MSG. Believe me, I know. The prices are higher than Prudential Center. But they invade NJ constantly. They finally got a taste of that in November 2022. Bring it in the playoffs! It’s time to push back in the stands.
Stanislau: Jacob Trouba falls short on his head-hunting expedition while Kevin Bahl knocks him out cold.
Bailey: Given how ineffective most of the Devils lefthanded defensemen have been, especially lately, I want to see Luke Hughes get a chance to play.
Annaluru: I’d love to see a home win in Game 1. Obviously, you want the team to win, but winning the first home playoff game in 5 years would be huge and give a ton of momentum for the team.
Williams: I want to see the young guys without previous playoff experience step up here and prove everybody wrong. The knock on New Jersey is the lack of playoff experience. I want them to shut out that noise and prove people wrong.
Goldstein: During this series, I want to see the resurgence of the BMW line. While they’ve been frustrating of late, people forget how great they were during the team’s 13-game win streak. Teams who go for in the playoffs are deep, and if the Devils want to be a major contender, they need decent production out of their 4th line.
Garrison: One thing I would love to happen in this series is Tomas Tatar contributing essential plays in this series. Tatar needs a rebound playoff performance run after not contributing during the 2021 Canadiens playoff run.
Holiday: Let’s see Jack Hughes dominate. This team needs him to be a playoff player moving forward, but also because all the Kaako is better Ranger fans on that draft day/year would be annoyed.
Fink: I personally want to see the Devils light up Igor Shesterkin. The combination of getting in his head at the rock with the infamous (and very loud) “Iiiigorrrr” heckles and also the Devils piling in goals would be awesome.
Russell: The Devils to play solid hockey and not look nervous. They are very young so I am expecting to see some nerves.
Woo: Bench-clearing brawl. This Hudson River rivalry is intense. Let’s kick it up a notch!
4. What’s one bold prediction you have for the Devils in the postseason?
Villano: Dougie Hamilton will lead the Devils-Rangers series in points. I think the offense takes a few games to get going, and the defense drives the play more than usual.
Parise: Timo Meier is going to lead the New Jersey Devils in scoring through the first round of the playoffs. If they advance from there, Jack Hughes will take over.
Rice: Timo Meier will score in overtime to end the series and become an instant, modern-era Devils legend.
Borges Jr.: Akira Schmid will start one game this series. It is incredibly easy to see a world where Mackenzie Blackwood has played his last game for the New Jersey Devils. It is not so easy to see a world where Vitek Vanacek gets shelled in back-to-back games, and Lindy Ruff goes to the young Swiss netminder to spark his team.
DeLuca: Tomas Tatar will be the dark horse. If you even try to credit the success this Devils team had without mentioning Tatar, I’d recommend you stop reading right now and re-evaluate the way you watch hockey. I don’t think there are many of you (if any) that would say this, but that’s just my point. It’s clear how important Tatar’s success is to this young core’s success as well. Watch it unfold for yourselves.
Stanislau: The Devils defense blocks more shots and helps the Devils score on breakaways. The Devils average five blocks and 23 hits per game in the series.
Bailey: Tomas Tatar leads the team in goals.
Annaluru: My bold playoff pick for the Devils is that Luke Hughes plays at least 1 game, and potentially even starts after his elite performance against Washington. For the postseason as a whole, I have the Oilers as my Stanley Cup Winner.
Williams: Erik Haula is going to score a massive goal for the Devils this series against the Rangers. I made this prediction early on when he struggled. I will stand by it, and book an Erik Haula series-altering goal.
Goldstein: Call this random if you want, but I think we get 2+ goals in the playoffs from Brendan Smith. Yeah, I said it. We’ve seen Devils defensemen who don’t score notch big goals in the postseason before (Danyeko and Bryce Salvador), and I think it would be fitting we see Brendan Smith score multiple goals in the playoffs after not netting one all year.
Garrison: Ondrej Palat continues his success in the playoffs. Knowing how well he played last year, in the playoffs, especially against the Rangers, I fully expect him to have a repeat performance.
Holiday: Luke Hughes gets some games in and shows he is NHL ready and ends up with multiple points in the first series.
Fink: Yegor Sharangovich steps up his game. It’s possible that he doesn’t, but I think it’s bold enough to say that if he were to start scoring again, it would be nothing short of electric.
Russell: The Devils will beat the Rangers in MSG at least twice!
Woo: The Devils bottom six forwards will be outstanding. Lindy Ruff will have the luxury to roll four lines. The BMW line will have a huge impact, like the Crash Line in 1995.
5. What’s your prediction for the Rangers series?
Villano: Devils in seven. I’ve mentioned the Devils leading the league in high-danger chances being the difference. Shesterkin will win two games on his own, but it won’t be enough to win the series.
Parise: The New Jersey Devils will defeat the New York Rangers in seven games. The series will have its ups and downs for both sides. One major event will be a game in which each goalie steals one leaving the opposition looking for answers.
Rice: Devils in 7, Meier ends it in OT, and neither team wins a road game.
Borges Jr.: Rangers in 6. This is a learning year for a very young Devils team. The Rangers have been here before with the roster they have now, including adding multiple Cup winners. A major event that will happen in this series is that the Rangers will have their own “Henrique, it’s over!” moment which the Devils will use as motivation to make sure it never happens to them again for years to come.
DeLuca: I’ll be honest. I never wanted this series. Especially not Round 1. I know way too many Rangers fans. My office might as well be a war zone. It’s literally me vs. 5 co-workers. That being said, I’m not betting against our boys! Devils in 7, lets go!!
Stanislau: Devils win in 6. Timo Meier records a two-point game to close it out, and the Devils eliminate their rivals at MSG.
Bailey: The Devils win in seven games, with a Timo Meier OT winner at MSG sprinkled in there somewhere.
Annaluru: Devils in 6: I see it as simple: if the Devils can make Igor look remotely human, they have a great chance to win this series. They have been the better team all year and the better team in the regular season series. I also think Vitek steals a game and posts a shutout in Game 2 or Game 3.
Williams: The Devils will win this series in 6 games. Akira Schmid makes an appearance in this series, and as usual, he stands on his head.
Goldstein: Devils take this series in 5. I think the Rangers rely too much on Igor Shesterkin, and if the Devils get off to an early 2-0 series lead at home, NYR won’t be able to rebound from it. Sure, the Rangers are more experienced, but the Devils’ speed is overwhelming, and I think NJD has the best player on the ice in Jack Hughes.
Next. Breaking Down Devils-Rangers Series. dark
Garrison: The Devils beat the Rangers in 6 games. I predict Jack Hughes will score a late go-ahead goal in a game at Madison Square Garden.
Holiday: The game goes seven games and devastates one fanbase, probably the Rangers who can’t handle the Devils speed.
Fink: New Jersey Devils in 5 games. I predict the Devils will win Game 1 in dominant fashion, and it sets the tone.
Russell: Devils to win in 6 games. Jack Hughes’s overtime game-winner in Game 6 (just like Henrique!)
Woo: Devils sweep the Rangers 4-0. The storyline will be the Rangers’ turnovers and the Devils’ ability to capitalize with quick transitions. One major event will be Jack Hughes scoring a hat trick with a game-winning goal in overtime.