Prior to Tuesday's big win against the Columbus Blue Jackets, the Devils had gone two months since they beat a playoff team. They took down the Tampa Bay Lightning in overtime on January 11th, and they waited until March 11th to finally get another one in the win column against a quality opponent. But even the Blue Jackets are a Wild Card team. It was time for the Devils to show they could get two points from the best teams in the league.
They immediately got another chance on Thursday night, welcoming the Edmonton Oilers to the Prudential Center. With more bad news coming out this week that Dougie Hamilton would miss the rest of the regular season, the Devils needed to show they can beat teams as is. There might be no help coming, but it's not like this Devils team is out of stars.
On Thursday night, Jesper Bratt was the star. He had a goal and two assists, accounting for each of the Devils' three goals. Jake Allen was also solid in net again. He's been stellar whenever called upon in relief of Jacob Markstrom. Yet, what is going to stand out from this performance is a player's first goal of the season.
Simon says get the lead. pic.twitter.com/2COW9A0xPF
— New Jersey Devils (@NJDevils) March 14, 2025
Simon Nemec drew back into the lineup after a dreadful third period against the Winnipeg Jets last Friday. The sentiment around his return to the lineup was exclusively positive going into the game. He was drawing in for recently acquired Dennis Cholowski.
#NJDevils HC Keefe on Nemec back in the lineup:
— Amanda Stein (@amandacstein) March 13, 2025
“I think he’s played good hockey for us. He had one horrific period that we needed to rinse away (...) he’s handled himself very well in the time between his last game and now and I expect him to come in and be confident.”
FULL: pic.twitter.com/r2G4p51fvz
Simon Nemec's game-winning goal could be a boost for the New Jersey Devils
Seeing Sheldon Keefe back his guy was huge, and that's likely what led to his game-winning goal against the Oilers. Nemec showed poise and patience on the goal, seeing a blocked shooting lane and deciding to pass. Bratt sent the puck right back to Nemec, who had moved Vasily Podkolzin just enough to open the shooting lane.
Nemec's shot went in thanks to a perfect screen from Nico Hischier, but the whole game was pretty good from the second-year defenseman. Sheldon Keefe didn't give him much responsibility, letting him play his game. Even though he only played 10 minutes, those minutes were essential in building his confidence.
Natural Stat Trick analyzed that Nemec was on the ice for three high-danger chances and zero against. He was the only player on the Devils to have zero high-danger chances against, which makes sense against this incredible Edmonton Oilers offense. It's another reason to build confidence. While he played in such a small window, he had an incredible impact.
If Nemec can get back to the player he was in his rookie year, the loss of Hamilton will be much less impactful to the team as a whole. He doesn't provide the offense that Hamilton does, but when he's on, his defense is pretty good, and his offense is still way above average. Nemec has been through it this season, but it just takes one night to turn it around.
This feels like as good a night as any to start it off. Not only did Nemec play well after returning to the lineup, but he made zero mistakes. He didn't leave Allen out to dry, and Keefe should have more confidence in him moving forward.