Key Takeaways From New Jersey Devils 2024 Global Series Performance
The New Jersey Devils are 2-0-0 after sweeping the Buffalo Sabres in the 2024 NHL Global Series. As the league leaders make their way back to North America, we point out some key takeaways from both games.
The 2024-2025 regular season is two games old, and the New Jersey Devils are in pretty good shape. After much anticipation and excitement heading into the new season, this Devils squad answered the bell and then some, outscoring a mismatched Sabres squad 7-2 in a back-to-back sweep in Prague. Many things to discuss and take away from these games as the Devils head back home to Jersey.
New Jersey Devils Goaltending Looks Promising
The elephant in the room for a while will be Jacob Markstrom’s save-of-the-year candidate. His athleticism to twist his body, stretch his blocker side, and stop a shot with the paddle of his stick was a sight for sore eyes for Devils fans everywhere. However, looking at both games from the outside, one of the takeaways must be the excellent play of both goaltenders.
Speak of the (New Jersey) devil, Markstrom backstopped the opening night victory on Friday with a stellar performance, posting a near .970 SV% and making 30 saves on 31 shots. Now, Markstrom, unlike the Devils’ goalies of the past few seasons, has tremendous confidence, including playing the puck. Although there were moments when his puck play led to turnovers, the Devils, with their speed, were attentive and vigilant with their zone coverage and able to mitigate any potential Buffalo opportunities. Markstrom's dominant performance set a precedent for what will come.
In the second half of the back-to-back, Jake Allen stepped in and more than did his part in making sure the Devils would leave Prague with four points, not just two. The Sabres got off to a better start in Saturday’s matchup but had only one goal to show for it. One could make the case that Buffalo had more quality scoring opportunities with less volume in the second matchup.
Whether or not that is true, Allen posted a .944 SV%, stopping 17 pucks on 18 total shots. When play opened up and a save needed to be made, Jake Allen got it done, which was more than what the Devils could ask for from their backup so early in the season.
The Defensive Adjustments Paid Off
Although goaltending was a major part of the 2024 Global Series for the New Jersey Devils, it’s only part of the overall story. For most of the first game, the Devils' defense played with a lead, and as the game progressed, found themselves on their heels more often than not, while the Sabres threw 31 shots on net. The result ended in the Devils' favor, but a theme was identified. “We were much better [in the second game] in terms of protecting our net,” commented Coach Keefe. “No real free sticks or bodies in and around our crease and in the slot.”
On Friday, it’s obvious the coaching staff saw replications of what haunted the Devils last year and quickly made the proper adjustments for game two. An inability to maintain leads was a common theme for the Devils last year. It is very difficult to capture and maintain a lead in the National Hockey League. The Devils passed the initial test on Friday by not giving up the lead and had an opportunity to make test corrections in their follow-up matchup. They did just that, minimizing the Sabres' opportunities, blocking 22 shots, and allowing only 18 shots on net. They passed the initial test on Friday and completed a job well done on Saturday, receiving a grade bump in the process.
Showing Off Their Depth
With two games in the books, it’s clear the Devils possess a plethora of depth this season. Paul Cotter, Stefan Noesen, and Johnathan “Kovechkin” are just a few of the new faces making an immediate impact. On Friday, the third line did exactly what was expected of them, playing a physical and gritty style of hockey, and being awarded with the first goal of the regular season off of Stefan Noesen’s stick. Johnathan “Kovechkin” earned himself a game puck with his first multipoint game as a Devil. Newly acquired multi-faceted forward Paul Cotter showed off his physicality and scoring acumen with three points and as many hits in both games, while Seamus Casey continued his impressive play. The fact that the Devils' top line was a day late to the party amplifies the potential impact depth scoring will have on this Devils team going forward.
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