WATCH: Lenni Hameenaho scores his first NHL goal to give New Jersey Devils the lead

The New Jersey Devils are desperate for offense right now, as the stars haven’t been able to put the puck in the net. Jack Hughes hasn’t scored since Christmas. Nico Hischier has six goals since December 1st (although he got his seventh on Friday night). The same goes for Jesper Bratt. 

They need secondary scoring from the bottom six. That’s been hard to come by. Connor Brown has been struggling. Outside of one Ondrej Palat two-goal performance, he hasn’t been scoring much. Neither has Paul Cotter or most of the other bottom-line forwards.

However, since Lenni Hameenaho entered the lineup, something changed. His connection with Cody Glass and Arseny Gritsyuk has been magic. He’s been the glue that keeps that line together. And it’s turned a good defensive line into a great offensive line.

Hameenaho’s offensive analytics looked great after two games. In Game 3, he broke onto the scoresheet. 

Hameenaho scored his first goal in just his third NHL game. He’s been exactly what this team needs. The 2023 second-round pick has grown into a really good hockey player, and he could become one of the best draft picks of the Tom Fitzgerald era. Seeing his offensive game evolve the way it has is impressive.

Honestly, Hameenaho’s success is one of the only wholly positive things to happen this season. Of course, it’s only three games, but this couldn’t have gone better for that third line. 

The scoring at the top of the lineup will get there. Hischier and Bratt have already shown signs of getting their touch back. Hughes will eventually take off the cast. Timo Meier has been very close lately, and after the Olympic Break, we get March Meier back. Adding a third line that can score goals every night is going to keep this team in the playoff race.