Pucks and Pitchforks
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Grading Each New Jersey Devils Players’ Playoff Performances

By Jonathan Bailey

New Jersey Devils celebrate their win over the New York Rangers in game seven of the first round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports
New Jersey Devils celebrate their win over the New York Rangers in game seven of the first round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports /
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Brendan Smith #2 of the New Jersey Devils. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

Brendan Smith – Grade: D

As part of the plan to add more experience and sandpaper to the Devils’ lineup, the team signed Brendan Smith. In the playoffs, Smith’s role did not change at all.

Smith’s first appearance of the playoffs came against the Rangers in Game 2. Head Coach Lindy Ruff wanted to add more toughness. Well, Smith did so by taking a roughing penalty and getting misconduct in the 5-1 loss. He was immediately taken back out of the lineup and didn’t see the ice again for the rest of the first-round series.

Smith was one and done until the Carolina series, where he played in Games 3 and 4, adding one assist in Game 3 and a heap of turnovers in Game 4. The Devils utilized an 11-forward, 7-defenseman strategy in order to get Smith in the lineup with a playoff-debuting Luke Hughes. He was eventually benched once again in Game 5.

By his own admission, Brendan Smith is coming to the end of his career, and his play has generally reflected that sentiment. He’s signed for another year with the Devils, so expect to see him in the lineup at least next season.

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