After a sorely needed statement victory against the Minnesota Wild, the New Jersey Devils are only four points out of a playoff spot. The Buffalo Sabres (Wild Card 2) and Philadelphia Flyers (third in the Metropolitan Division) both have 52 standings points, while the Devils sit with 48.
Yes, it sounds almost unrealistic for those of you reading, but there’s plenty of hockey left. Johnathan Kovacevic's return has eased the pressure on minutes for Dougie Hamilton, Brett Pesce, and Simon Nemec. Hamilton is on the trade block, but he had a better game where he got two primary assists on key goals to help his trade value up a bit.
Having a fully functional defense in this game shines a light on what can go right as a blueprint for success: keeping pucks further to the outside of the faceoff circles and clogging up passing lanes. Players lagging behind in scoring, such as Ondrej Palat and Dawson Mercer, have contributed in a big way. Jesper Bratt finally scored two goals in this game and demonstrated how important it is to shoot and get to the net.
There was a lot of will to win, and the hits and blocks contributed to goals, and that is called Sasquatching, and it was led by Kovacevic and Brenden Dillon, while Palat, Cody Glass, and Timo Meier began pressuring the Wild’s defense, and offensive breakouts. This is the kind of effort that is truly needed, where the team is not far off from a playoff spot, but needs to win consistently to make it work.
What stood out in this game was the Devils’ collective will to win in a gritty, relentless style. Hits and blocked shots weren’t just statistics; they directly contributed to scoring chances and momentum shifts. Kovacevic led the charge, supported by Dillon, whose veteran presence ensured that energy translated into smart defensive play.
On the forward side, Palat, Cody Glass, and Timo Meier were relentless in pressuring Minnesota’s defense, forcing turnovers and sparking offensive breakouts. This high-pressure approach allowed the Devils to control both the pace and flow of the game, creating opportunities that ultimately turned into goals.
Consistency will be key moving forward. While the Devils aren’t far from a playoff spot, winning streaks like this one will need to become the norm rather than the exception. Each player must continue to balance skill with physicality, and the team as a whole must maintain discipline without sacrificing the aggression that fuels scoring chances. Players like Hamilton, Bratt, and Kovacevic will need to continue leading by example, showing that commitment to structure and effort pays off both on the scoreboard and in overall team cohesion.
The New Jersey Devils aren't dead in the water
This game also serves as a reminder of the importance of depth. With players like Mercer and Glass stepping up when others are struggling, the Devils show they have multiple lines capable of contributing offensively. The emergence of secondary scorers is critical for a playoff team, as relying solely on top-tier talent rarely suffices in a high-pressure postseason environment. Moreover, the return of Kovacevic demonstrates the tangible effect that a single roster adjustment can have on the team’s defensive and offensive balance.
The psychological impact of a win like this cannot be overstated. By making a statement against a competitive team like Minnesota, the Devils send a clear message to themselves and to the rest of the league that they are still very much in the hunt. The confidence gained from disciplined defense, timely scoring, and relentless effort can carry forward into the next stretch of games, provided the team maintains this focus and intensity.
In short, New Jersey has shown what happens when every aspect of the game clicks: defense, offense, physicality, and mental toughness. While there’s still a long road ahead, games like this provide a blueprint for how the Devils can secure a playoff berth and make a real impact once they get there. If they continue to execute with this balance of skill and effort, the postseason is not just a possibility but a realistic goal.