Arseny Gristyuk is saving the New Jersey Devils' season

The New Jersey Devils ended their five-game losing streak on Tuesday night, beating the Ottawa Senators on the road 4-3. There were a few players who deserve credit. Jonas Siegenthaler made an insane block at the end of the game on Brady Tkachuk to keep his team out in front. Paul Cotter did his thing, stealing a puck and scoring on a breakaway. Cody Glass and Connor Brown were both great, but it was their linemate who was the player of the game.

Arseny Gritsyuk is one of the Devils’ best players this season. After a three-point effort, all at even strength, he has the second-most 5v5 points on the Devils this season. That’s right, a rookie is outscoring Jesper Bratt, Timo Meier, and even Jack Hughes. Gritsyuk has been incredible.

On Tuesday night, he took over play. He had a goal and two assists. His goal tied the game at two, a necessary moment where the Devils desperately needed momentum. 

We think it’s fair to say the Devils don’t win this game without Gritsyuk. He scored a goal, and he had the primary assist on the game-winning goal. Grits sent the puck to Cody Glass after getting a quick pass from Connor Brown. Those three have instant chemistry, and it stretches the lineup playing them as a third line. 

This might set the stage for Gritsyuk to get a top-six role for good, but it might make sense to keep the lines solid all around with a scorer on the third line.

This isn’t the first time Gritsyuk has put up a big performance at a necessary moment. He scored the first goal after Jack Hughes hurt his hand at a team dinner against the Washington Capitals. The Devils would go on to win that game 3-2 in the shootout. Earlier in November, he stole the puck against the Pittsburgh Penguins and scored, making him the only Devils player with a point in a shootout win. 

Gritsyuk hasn’t been consistent with his scoring, but he gets on a heater and becomes unstoppable. He was a main cog in the Devils' losing streak ending. We expect him to remain a key cog if the Devils get back in the swing of the playoff race. 

Gritsyuk will get more consistent with his points. The fact that he has the second most on the Devils is actually a bad look for the team, since he only has 13, but everyone would sign up for the season we’ve seen from Gritsyuk so far. He does everything right, from having a crazy motor along the boards to passing decisions and defensive responsibilities. 

This 24-year-old has fit right into the team, and if the Devils make the playoffs, he will be a major factor come season’s end.