The New Jersey Devils have turned the corner after a rough start to the season. The analytics were always on their side, but the finishing was not. There are a few reasons for this. Timo Meier has one of the worst shooting percentages in the league of guys you would expect to score. Jesper Bratt’s finishing has left much to be desired. Nico Hischier is the one guy in the Devils' core scoring at the level one would expect.
And that includes Jack Hughes. The Devils star has struggled to score this season. His offense has still been great. He has 14 points in 13 games. That’s on pace for about 90 points. And he’s doing that with only one 5v5 goal. He has two goals in 3v3 overtime and one empty-net goal.
Despite the lack of scoring, Hughes is still producing offense at a rapid rate. He has 47 shots in 13 games. The puck is hitting the net, but not as often as one would like. Hughes has 109 shot attempts, and fewer than half are hitting the net.
The missed shot attempts are one thing, but it’s the blocks that are really hurting the Devils. A blocked shot often pushes a puck to the corner or outside of the zone. Hughes is an interesting guy to have near the top of the list. It’s not like he’s making shots from the blue line all the time, which is when shots get blocked the most. And even those are strategic. A blocked shot there could lead to a goal.
Jack Hughes isn't the only one getting his shots blocked
Luke Hughes is also facing a similar situation, but his blocks make a little more sense. While he isn’t exactly Dougie Hamilton, but he has been better with his shot this season. Still, he has as many blocked shots as Jack Hughes (36). Only Matthew Schaefer has more blocked shots against than the Devils’ duo.
The Devils as a whole are getting their shots blocked too often. It has a lot to do with their decision to shoot in a high-danger spot, but in a small window. Both Jack and Luke Hughes are incredibly confident. They believe they can get the puck in those tight spaces. When they do, it leads to goals.
It has just been happening for one of the Hughes brothers right now. While Luke Hughes has been playing very well, and he has a few goals up his sleeve, if he gets more shots on net, it should easily lead to more goals and especially more points.
As well as Luke Hughes has played, he’s not getting enough assists. Getting his shot on net and forcing a rebound would be the easiest way to get those assists.
Again, none of this is a criticism of the players. It’s just one part of the game for them. If they can avoid the blocks, more goals will come.
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