New Jersey Devils: 3 Players Who Must Take Charge In Stadium Series Game
The New Jersey Devils are taking on the Philadelphia Flyers in the first game of the Stadium Series at MetLife Stadium. In a huge game for the standings, who needs to step up to produce a Devils win?
In just two weeks, the New Jersey Devils will be outside to play in the NHL Stadium Series game facing off against the Philadelphia Flyers. Despite this being an exciting time for the fans and the franchise, the team is in disarray. With the lack of their key pieces on the roster and their awful play, the last thing they want to do is head outside to be embarrassed by the Flyers in front of their fans and on national television. So, they need players who can take charge and help the team win, and here are a few who can take on those roles.
Tyler Toffoli
When Toffoli got brought over in the offseason in the trade with the Calgary Flames, the idea was that he would be an excellent linemate for Jack Hughes, and the two would create a strong line together after his 70+ point season last year.
Unfortunately for Toffoli, he isn't precisely producing like a 70-point player. He does have two Devils hat tricks this year, so it's not like he isn't performing horrifically. Despite all that, he's 3rd in scoring on the team, and this game would give him a confidence booster heading forward in the 2nd half.
Toffoli has had experience with outdoor games, as shown in the 2020 Stadium Series Game as a Los Angeles King facing the Colorado Avalanche. Toffoli was the main star, as he scored all three goals for the Kings, including one in the final minute to put them up 2-1 and the empty netter for the hat trick. So this would be an excellent opportunity for Toffoli to show everyone that the trade for Toffoli was still thriving, with a good game outdoors.
Timo Meier
Another Devil that has a lot of pressure on him is Timo Meier. Meier is currently in a down year where he has only 10 points. He's looked invisible most of the year, and for what he's only done during the year? Well, he scored a GW OT goal vs the Blue Jackets. Yeah, that's not getting it done for a guy that got an extension in the offseason.
After the trade last year, the excuse for him not having an excellent 2nd half was that he only knew his teammates for a few months, but here, with a lot of the depth out, there should be no reason why he can't step up! He needs a particular game, and luckily, this is just the game for him. While he may not have any experience playing in an outdoor game, this is just as good a time to get a taste for it and show that he can step up and be a leader for the team while depth returns.
Jesper Bratt
Now, onto a guy who's been an upside for the team ever since the team's central depth went down. Bratt has been playing good hockey this year, scoring 50 points, first on the Devils. He's perhaps been the main reason the team isn't in last place. Bratt's great play earned him an All-Star appearance this year on Team Hughes.
While the team depth is returning slowly, this would be a good time for Bratt to continue his pace as the Devils scoring leader in the Stadium Series game. Like Meier, he doesn't have experience in outdoor games. However, that doesn't mean Bratt can't have a solid game. If he can somehow score a goal or two in the game, it would showcase he can be a future leader for the team.
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