The New Jersey Devils have a lot of things going for them after a 4-2 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes on Friday night, even if the referees don't always make the right calls. They are sitting in first place in the Metropolitan Division by points. Their stars are contributing, the defense is dominant, and Jacob Markstrom is finally playing like the guy they spent a first-round pick on this offseason. Now, even Dawson Mercer has been getting in on the fun.
After a slow start to the season that had him named in trade rumors, Mercer has turned it on slightly in December. We say slightly because his analytics are much better, but the results aren't there yet.
After scoring a goal on Friday night against the Carolina Hurricanes, his third point in two games, he's back at a half-point-per-game pace on the season. Mercer has 19 points (9 goals, 10 assists) in 38 games. In December, Mercer has six points. Yet, he has 12 individual high-danger chances (tied for fourth on the team with Timo Meier) and he's fourth in individual xG.
Jack Hughes leads in both categories and surprisingly, Erik Haula is second in six. Mercer was sixth in both categories in November and seventh in iHDCF in October. All numbers are at 5v5 via Natural Stat Trick.
Dawson Mercer is finally hitting his stride with New Jersey Devils.
The results might not be there, but we're clearly seeing a different guy on the ice for the Devils. He was moved down the lineup a few weeks ago to play back on the third line with Paul Cotter and Erik Haula. All three of them have been dealing with major scoring slumps. Cotter was the hottest player in the league at one point, but he hasn't had a goal since November 12th. Erik Haula has zero points this month and just three since the beginning of November.
It's not like the Devils are putting Mercer with offensive studs. He's making the most of his situation. He didn't do that when he was in the top six. Does Mercer deserve a promotion in lines, or is he exactly where he's supposed to be? For now, things are working, and the Devils shouldn't change anything.