If we went back to September and told a New Jersey Devils fan that at the end of the season, the team would be full steam ahead towards a first-round matchup with the Carolina Hurricanes as the third seed in the Metropolitan Division, most would accept that as a positive result. While the Devils had some hopes to win the Metropolitan Division and possibly more, most realistic fans knew a good step forward would be to make the playoffs at all.
With the Devils all but secured to their current playoff position, it's time to look at the team's playoff roster and who will actually get a shot to play the Carolina Hurricanes, the Devils' likely first-round opponent. Sheldon Keefe has been trying different lineups after the NHL Trade Deadline, where the Devils added Brian Dumoulin, Dennis Cholowski, Cody Glass, Daniel Sprong, and recently called up Seamus Casey and Nolan Foote.
This gives Keefe a chance to see all the lineup possibilities heading into the postseason. This also puts pressure on those players who have been underperforming. This could bring the best out of those players, and they can put together a postseason run that makes us forget about their misdeeds during the regular season. One specific name stands out.
Simon Nemec
Simon Nemec has been in and out of the lineup since he was called back up on February 18th. He was added to the roster when the Devils put Jonas Siegenthaler on injured reserve. We later learned that Siegenthaler would likely miss the rest of the season and possibly the postseason, so it gives Nemec a clear opportunity.
Nemec's "opportunity" has looked a lot like it has for most of the season. He has made mistakes, and while some haven't hurt as much as others, they almost always lead to a benching, even for a few shifts. It happens again and again, and it appears that Seamus Casey will get a shot at his spot in the lineup.
And that's why the Nemec redemption arc can begin in the playoffs. The Devils need to throw everything at the Hurricanes if they are going to have a shot to win. Nemec is a weapon. Despite the mistakes, Nemec is a fantastic passer and can make plays in the offensive zone. The Devils have to outscore the Hurricanes. That's how hockey works. Nemec can help them do it.
He has to get an opportunity, and we think Keefe will give him another shot to earn his playoff position. Nemec will show his talent will win out. He's done it in the past, and it's the reason why he keeps getting back in the lineup despite the mistakes. He can do the things that make him great on a more consistent basis and become a Devils' hero where all the pain of this season are erased in one series.