New Jersey Devils: 3 Changes To Save The Season
By Nick Villano
The New Jersey Devils lost another game to one of the bottom feeders of the NHL Standings. After unacceptable losses to the Blue Jackets, Ducks, and Sharks, the Devils added a loss to the Montreal Canadiens on Wednesday night. The Devils offense fell off completely, scoring two goals on a double minor power play, then none the rest of the night.
The Devils currently sit in seventh place in the Metropolitan Division. If the Devils beat the lowly Canadiens, the Devils would have been in fourth place in the Metro. This division is too close to call. The Devils shouldn't panic yet. However, it's not just their place in the standings that is worrisome. The way the Devils are playing isn't going to get them anywhere this season.
The is plenty of time to get into the playoff race. They are also a few losses away from being far behind. The Red Wings are red hot. The Maple Leafs are going to make the playoffs. It's hard to say Tampa will miss. That leaves just three spots for the Metropolitan Division. The Flyers, Hurricanes, and Rangers are all at least six points ahead.
So, it would make sense for the Devils to do something right now to flip this season on its head. Here are a few options to make this season go a little better.
1. Get a goalie
This one is obvious. Even with Nico Daws playing the way he's been playing, the Devils statistically are one of the worst teams in terms of goaltending. Vitek Vanecek is still giving up too many soft goals. Akira Schmid hasn't been very good since his demotion to the AHL. If the answer is Daws, then great. He's only 23 years old, and he is coming off major hip surgery. He can't play every game.
The Devils need to add a goalie. They need a tandem. Just about every great team has two goalies. The Rangers have Jonathan Quick and Igor Shesterkin. The Winnipeg Jets have Connor Hellebuyck and Laurent Brossoit both playing well. So, if the Devils add someone to Nico Daws as a tandem, this could drive the Devils while the team gets healthy.
There are plenty of options. Our favorite for now is the Calgary Flames' Jacob Markstrom, but there are other options that could make great for a tandem.