The New Jersey Devils are hoping to just get back into the NHL Playoffs for the 2024-25 season, and with a new coach and a new outlook, this talented team might just do that. And in the process, they will look to further erase what has been a rather rough 15 seasons in terms of winning playoff series, as it’s only occurred four times since 2009.
That mark puts one of the NHL’s most successful franchises between the mid-1990s and early 2000s at 23rd in the league. But if there’s one positive, the Devils gave their fans something to cheer for in what was a magical run in the 2012 NHL Playoffs when they defeated the New York Rangers four games to two in the Eastern Conference Finals to win the Prince of Wales Trophy.
While they lost to the Los Angeles Kings in the Final, it still didn’t take away from what was a memorable season. But unfortunately, Jersey has given the fanbase little to cheer for since, with their playoff series win over the Rangers in 2023 being their only one in the last decade.
Will the New Jersey Devils win more under coach Sheldon Keefe?
Sheldon Keefe isn’t inheriting a bad hockey team, as it’s easy to argue the Devils were a good team that just struggled through a down season. They need to make some adjustments at the blue line and at goaltending, but if their top scorers enjoy a healthy year in 2024-25, we don’t need to count them out.
Plus, they’re playing in a Metropolitan Division that, if you remember correctly, saw some of the NHL’s weakest playoff teams battling for even a top three spot. New Jersey is talented enough to claim at least third in the Metro in 2024-25, and perhaps doing so will set the stage for a second playoff series win in three seasons.
(Additional information provided by Hockey-Reference)