The New Jersey Devils are headed back to the Stanley Cup Playoffs. They have their work cut out for them in their first-round series against the Carolina Hurricanes. They’re certainly the underdogs against a tough Hurricanes team, but the Devils can make this a competitive series.
In order to make it to the second round, the Devils will need the most from players who can be big difference makers. Here are three players who are X-Factors for the Devils in the playoffs.
Jacob Markstrom can provide elite goaltending now that he’s healthy and locked in
Jacob Markstrom’s goaltending is an X-factor for the Devils. To be competitive in the playoffs, solid goaltending is critical. This is something the Devils lacked for years, and it held them back. Markstrom is the guy.
It’s been an up and down year for Markstrom, from a good start, to a string of brilliance, to an injury, struggles, and returning to form. Before he got hurt, he was in the Vezina Trophy conversation. He wasn’t going to win, but he could have been a finalist. That all changed when Markstrom went down with an MCL sprain in January. He didn’t look the same when he came back. It took some time, but he's back on track.
Markstrom ended the season with a .900 SV% and 2.50 GAA. His high-danger unblocked shot attempt save percentage was 0.831%, which is 5th in the NHL among goaltenders who played at least 20 games. Markstrom is healthy and locked in for the playoffs. He can keep the Devils in close games. An elite Markstrom can help the Devils pull off an upset.