Lindy Ruff had good reason to smile. Not only because of the New Jersey Devils They were in the midst a winning streak which would extend to 11 games. However, fans who had demanded his dismissal at season’s beginning had audibly apologized.
“Fire Lindy!” “Sorry Lindy!” has been changed to
It happens when your entire team suddenly disappears leading the Metropolitan DivisionThe NHL’s second-best record holder,, is dominating both ends of the ice.
Ruff replied, “I accept your apology.” “Someday, we and the fans will sit down and drink a beer and laugh about this one.”
Since 2012, it’s been awhile since the Devils and their fan had reason to smile. Their most recent playoff appearance was in 2018, which was their first trip to the postseason since 2012. The team had a disastrous season last year, with a.384 point percentage. This was the lowest percentage since 1985-86. It also came in a campaign marked by significant lineup changes.
“We felt a lot of pain last season. Ruff explained that we are now playing the game exactly how we want it to be played. “We have everybody contributing to the win, on different nights. We’re giving ourselves the chance to win a hockey match on most nights.
Despite all the pain, Devils general manger Tom Fitzgerald knew there was potential for something extraordinary.
“I believe that if we look back to last years, you will see where our trend was.” “The underlying numbers indicated that we were headed in the right direction,” he stated.
How did the NHL’s hottest team get its groove? Can the Devils keep their dominance? These are six reasons New Jersey is the top team in the 2022-23 NHL Season.
Create a rush
The Devils were third in NHL goal per game at 3.75 after 16 games. Like winger Jesper Bratt, star center Jack Hughes As team captain Nico Hischier they were playing at more than a game per minute. Forwards such Miles Wood, Dawson Mercer, Yegor Sharangovich, Fabian Zetterlund Veteran Tomas Tatar were contributing goals. Defenseman Dougie HamiltonThe defensemen’s top 10 scorers were led by, who was a free huge agent signed in 2021.
New Jersey offers the chance to be fast and creative.
Meghan Chayka (co-founder of Stathletes) stated, “The Devils are all for high event hockey this year.” “This team operates like an offensive juggernaut.”
Chayka points out that the Devils are the NHL’s best team at creating shots from the rush through 16 games. They average 14.9 shots per event at strength. Average league shots are 11.8
The Devils have the NHL’s highest average number of expected goals (3.46 per sixty minutes) and high risk shot attempts (15.72 each 60 minutes) at even-strength.
Their speed and puck possession can be quite overwhelming. The win was 7-1. Columbus Blue Jackets The Devils held a 24-1 advantage on high-danger shot attempts, In the first period, they had a 19-3 shot try advantage over the Devils. New York Islanders. One of their most notable wins was a victory at the comeback. Edmonton OilersThe Devils had a 31-14 shot-try advantage.
Hughes, who is a catalyst for many Devils’ chances off rush is Hughes. His speed and creativity have already made Hughes a highlight-reel regular this season. Chayka says Hughes is fourth in goals off rush (0.15) and seventh in shots off rush (2.12 per game). He is first in scoring rush opportunities (17) in all circumstances.
“We like our game, even though we are getting more wins. Our play style is very appealing. Fast. Hughes stated that the forward group is hard working.” “When we’re skating we’re a pretty great team.”
“We can roll four lines, and dominate the rush. Ruff stated that when your four lines click like that, it is possible to be relentless at times.
Dimitri Filipovic is the host The Hockey PDOcast Sportsnet believes that the Devils’ offense is what makes them unique.
“They’re passing all of the checkpoints for my honesty. He said that they are finding other ways to score besides the rush. “Last season, I thought only the Avs and Panthers were better off the rush. But the Devils were 21st when it came to scoring on the forecheck or the cycle. They have now balanced that out. It’s still overwhelming to get started, but it’s not just one trick pony.
Goaltending
Ruff was fired last season. The consensus was that Ruff was still employed. The Devils used seven different goalies to start 2021-22 games, with a team save percentage of.881. Only expansion Seattle Kraken They were below them in this category.
The internal mantra is: “If only we could save …”.”
The Devils sought a veteran replacement to their current 25-year old goaltender to help them overcome their goalstending woes over the past three seasons. Mackenzie Blackwood. They signed Chicago Blackhawks Stanley Cup winner Corey Crawford, who was not a player for the team and retired in January 2020, signed with them. They signed former Detroit Red Wings Jonathan Bernier, goalie for the United States in July 2021. He played 10 games before undergoing surgery to his right hip. His return remains uncertain.
Enter Vitek Vanecek. Before moving to Washington, the 26-year-old had only two average seasons. Capitals They traded both their goalies for signing Darcy Kuemper last summer. Two draft picks were sent by the Devils to Washington in July to acquire Vanecek. They placed their bets on the offseason’s goalie Roulette table.
Their number may have reached. Vanecek was able to save.915 goals, 2.17 save percentage, and 0.6 more than expected in his 10 appearances. It’s not dominant but it isn’t detrimental. That’s the standard for Devils.
Fitzgerald said, “He is a very competitive goalie.” Fitzgerald said, “He will throw his leg or blocker out in order to make a save. He’s always on every puck. He is a fighter in traffic. He’s a champion.
Blackwood played seven games, before he was forced to withdraw due to an MCL injury. Although his overall performance was below replacement, with minus-2.9 goals more than expected, he still enjoyed the improved defense. Blackwood had an average of 20.5 shots per goal during his four wins. This is Martin Brodeur’s level of defensive insulation. Blackwood is like a young quarterback who suddenly finds himself playing behind an upgraded offensive line. The conditions are perfect for him to regain his form once he returns.
Fitzgerald sees a symbiotic partnership between his defense team and the goaltender, something that was absent in previous seasons of difficulties. Vanecek hasn’t stolen games, but he is giving the Devils the basic saves that are necessary to allow them to attack with confidence. Vanecek is benefitting from renewed defensive dedication.
The Devils have averaged 15.72 high-danger shot attempts per 60 min of 5-on-5 play, and 8.54 shots on an average. Five teams managed to average less than 10 high danger shot attempts against per match last season. One of them was Devils (9.88).
Fitzgerald stated, “Our guys play very confident in front” “If these are not given, we will lose them.” [goalies] We don’t expect them to make a mistake defensively. They should just save the sandwich. That’s what goalies really care about, I believe. Don’t expose us.”
Preventing odd-man rushes
Jack Fraser who runs the popular analytics account @JFreshHockey on TwitterAccording to, the Devils have managed to preserve the best parts of last season’s success while also addressing their greatest concerns. Preventing opponents’ rushes.
Fraser stated, “Last year, they were an offensive team that was dynamic and played at a high pace similar to what we are seeing now.” They were also among the worst rush defense teams in league, Fraser said. [in the NHL] at preventing possession entries and bottom five rush chances against. They’re suddenly allowing the fewest chances, and in particular the smallest rush chances, in the league.
Filipovic observed that New Jersey has allowed the lowest number of goals per 60 minutes at even strength (23.46) and the highest expected goals (2.05) in the NHL’s 16-game season. A large part of this has to do with the outstanding defensive play. Jonas Siegenthaler Particularly John MarinoThe Devils purchased a trade for the, who the Devils also acquired from the Pittsburgh Penguins In the offseason.
John Marino: A poem by Wrote @EPRinkside
He’s had an incredible start to the year and the enormous impact he’s already made on the Devils defense. And exactly what he did in all three zones so far.https://t.co/ME7I5oDo5I pic.twitter.com/eIhduXcGlP
— Dimitri Filipovic (@DimFilipovic) November 10, 2022
Filipovic spoke highly of Marino, saying that Marino has been “so good as the last one back” and either completely erasing any odd-man rushes or slowing down opponents sufficiently for his teammates to return and support him. “They were so rush-heavy last season, which made them great. However, every time they failed to score, the team took it back the other direction and scored a rush goal of their very own. That’s not what happened this year.
The Devils have found the secret sauce to their success in finding the right balance between their rapid offensive attack and defensive responsibility.
Fitzgerald stated, “Your offense begins in front your goalie, and your defense begins in front of them.”
The Devils’ GM believes in being aggressive in the offensive, with defensemen joining the play while forwards cycle deep to keep the zone time moving. “But once in awhile, the puck gets away from you. “They get caught once in a time,” he stated.
For the Devils, it was crucial to ensure that their F3 forward gets back defensively. This is the name of the forward who enters the attacking area on the rush.
“More often than not, the F3 would drive down in the past.” [into the zone] Because they were so [excited] to have an offensive opportunity. Fitzgerald said, “We weren’t supporting each others.”
Fitzgerald says that the Devils have made significant improvements in transition plays. “Get back quick. Learn your assignment. He stated, “End all plays and get on with our transition.” “Knowing the best time to release the puck is essential for taking a big step forward.
Fitzgerald stated that his playing days, which included 17 seasons in the NHL between 1988 and 2006, were filled with the desire to play for teams that made the opponent feel “they had seven guys out here” defending. Fitzgerald has seen the Devils show the same level of commitment this season. He uses the term “connected” to describe their efforts.
Fitzgerald would add an additional word: committed.
“We are having success because of how we follow the instructions.” He said that if we follow directions, we have a chance of winning. “I think the team is maturing. The younger players are maturing and understanding what it takes to win hockey.
Reformed special teams
Fitzgerald is more than happy talking about “Bruno.”
Andrew Brunette was the interim coach Florida Panthers The Jack Adams nominee for their guiding the team to a 122-point campaign last season was who won a Jack Adams nomination. After being outcoached in a sweep, the Tampa Bay Lightning In the playoffs, Brunette was fired by the Panthers and Paul Maurice was hired as their new coach. Brunette was an unrestricted free agent. Brunette was a free agent. He was signed by the Devils as an assistant coach to replace Mark Recchi, their power play architect.
Fitzgerald said, “He’s like the walking encyclopedia of hockey.” “He is just so passionate about it. He had other ideas. I observe him in action as he creates habits with our players.”
Similar to their goaltending, Devils’ power plays had to meet a low standard to succeed this season. In 2021-22, they were 28th in league (15.6%), with a man advantage. They have a 20.8% conversion rate after 16 games.
“Now, i’d like to click more on the PP. Fitzgerald stated that it was all about the players understanding Bruno’s message and their connection to him. “We’re moving forward, that’s certain.”
Participation is the most striking thing about Devils special teams. At least one player has been in at least 15 games. They have seen 40 seconds on either the penalty or power plays. The latter is 11th in NHL at 80.8%.
Fitzgerald stated that every forward on the team plays a part in one of the special teams. They have to own it. They earned it so we’re giving it to them. They feel part of the team. This is not the case for every team. We believe that 12 out 12 forwards are responsible for this role.
Hamilton, Hughes and Hischier: Health
Other than improved goaltending, special teams and other changes, the Devils had to keep their most valuable players in the lineup.
They haven’t been 100% healthy. They have not been completely healthy. Ondrej Palat Underwent groin surgery, and is now on injured reserve. Blackwood is out of commission with an MCL Injury. Hughes, Hischier and Hamilton are all healthy.
Hamilton was signed by the Devils to a seven year free agent contract in 2021. He was considered an integral part of their puck-moving plan. Natural Stat Trick reports that the Devils’ Triple H of stars played only 27 games last season. New Jersey had a 0.444 point percentage in those games. It also had a.355 percent percentage when one of its stars was injured. In those 27 games, their goal differential was minus-14. Without them together it was minus 45.
Fitzgerald stated that “when we were healthy last year I think those figures looked really good.” Fitzgerald said, “And we’ve all been healthy this year.” “Knock on wood.”
Hughes, particularly off the rush, has been an offensive engine for Devils. Hughes’ breakout offensive season came in 2021-22 when he scored 56 goals in 49 games… however, the key phrase was “in 49 matches.” Both his NHL seasons have been short-lived. As a rookie, he missed eight games and then 33 last season. The Devils lost their momentum last season due to the timing of his injury. He didn’t play one game between Oct. 20-Nov. 29.
Hamilton missed nearly two months in 2022 due to injury. He was limited to only 62 games during his first season in New Jersey. In his 18 last games of a season lost, he would only score three points. He scored 14 points in 16 of his first 16 games.
Hischier, who missed a total of 12 games last season, and played just 21 games in 2020-21 has also struggled with staying in the lineup. Fitzgerald stated that Fitzgerald has improved as a player, with talk already about the Selke Trophy for Hischier’s defensive play, and as a leader.
Fitzgerald stated, “Having Nico as a captain for another year and understanding that role is important” He said, “And having support around.”
Mindset
Fitzgerald could clearly see it at training camp. His players, especially the younger ones, had a successful summer of working out. Their enthusiasm and dedication in camp was also evident.
He said, “There was a new vibe.” “There was excitement among the players who were here about the additions we made, the care of ownership, and the understanding of management regarding building a team. This is not a team of talented individuals. It’s a team. Each member brings his own unique contribution.”
They were motivated by their disgust. As a group, Jack Hughes’ era did not produce a team capable of meeting their expectations.
Fitzgerald said that the “they had a bad feeling in their mouths from last year.” “So, we had to ask: “What’s our why?” What’s the reason we do this? What are we trying to achieve from this? It was just a different vibe.”
Their mentality has resulted in a solid start, and more importantly, a proof to concept for Ruff & Fitzgerald.
Fraser stated that it’s not a “Jack and Nico carry team” situation. The whole group is “clicking.” “I don’t think it’s crazy to suggest that this might be their 2020-21 Panthers moment where everything works together and they don’t look at the back from here.”
They can, provided they keep the momentum going. The Devils cannot predict the unexpected, such as injuries. Do they believe their own hype? All of these are possible. Those are part and parcel of the mindset.
“I believe in staying present in the moment. Let’s not get ahead. Fitzgerald said, “Let’s never put the horse before the cart.” Let’s not forget how it happened. Let’s recall how we got to where we are today. Let’s recall how we got out of training camp. Although we didn’t get the results we hoped for, we didn’t abandon the processes we had put in place. You can take control of your own game.
These six factors are the basis of the belief that it is time to give the Devils their due.
Fraser stated that they reminded him of the Panthers, Flames and Avalanche last year. They are dominating both ends of ice. They have every player who is above breakeven in all on-ice stats at even strength. Some of them are by wide margins.”