New Jersey Devils Stock Up/Stock Down: Captain Fantastic Edition

It has been a rocky road for the New Jersey Devils since our last stock up/stock down last week. After struggling with inconsistencies in effort, things only got worse at the beginning of the week. They took on an 8-5 shellacking from the Tampa Bay Lightning, lost a heartbreaker to the Detroit Red Wings, rescued a point versus the New York Islanders, but finished the weekend strong by dismantling the Anaheim Ducks.

The Devils boast a 6-4-2 record, which puts them at the top of the Metropolitan Division. They are now gearing up for a western Canadian road trip this week.

Devils Stock Up/Stock Down

Stock Up

Nico Hischier

What a start to the season it’s been for the Devils captain, Nico Hischier. He’s been a jack of all trades for head coach Sheldon Keefe. When they’ve needed a goal, a face-off win, or someone to take tough defensive matchups, it’s been Hischier’s number that’s been called. Lately, Keefe has been very vocal about his admiration for his play and for how selfless he is on the ice. His all-around game has reached new heights to start the season, as he notched his team and NHL-leading ninth goal against Anaheim.

Nico Hischier can't stop scoring 👀

That's his League-leading ninth goal of the season! pic.twitter.com/40MJJCHkTm

— NHL (@NHL) October 28, 2024

Stock Down

Goaltending

For fans and anyone in the organization last year, it must feel like Groundhog’s Day when it comes to the goaltending. Both the crown jewel acquisition of the offseason, Jacob Markstrom, and his supposedly steady backup, Jake Allen, have struggled mightily so far. Markstrom is currently the fifth-worst goalie in terms of Goals Saved Above Expected at -4.6. Meanwhile, Allen has a -1.1 GSAx and was in net for all eight goals against Tampa. Both goalies have struggled to make routine saves, and it’s already costing them games (i.e., Kane’s game-winning goal on Markstrom and Horvat’s overtime-winning goal on Allen). Poor goaltending submarined the Devils last year; they can’t let it happen again.

IF YOU'RE A GOALTENDER, TEND THE GOAL 🗣️

Nothing's going right for the Devils tonight, especially with this wild bank shot goal 😬 pic.twitter.com/js8eCnLfWf

— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) October 23, 2024

Stock Up

Power Play

The Devils power play was a major issue in the opening games of the season, but it looks as if the coaching staff’s changes are finally paying dividends. Their power play currently sits at 30%, which is sixth-best in the NHL. Over the past week, the Devils have gone 6/11 on the man advantage and have failed to score on the power play in just four of their 12 games so far this season. Compared to last season, their zone entries are more effective; there is significantly more player movement once they set up, and the addition of Stefan Noesen as the net-front presence has made a huge difference.

Stef feasting on duck a l’orange tonight.#NJDevils | @Mikes_Amazing pic.twitter.com/FcsGrcSSoA

— New Jersey Devils (@NJDevils) October 28, 2024

Stock Down

Penalty Kill

On the flip side, the Devils penalty kill has started to become a problem. After starting out the season on fire, they’ve dropped down to 15th in the NHL and are letting in goals, especially at inopportune times. Over the last week, the Devils PK has given up five goals on 12 kills, one of which was the heartbreaking game-winner against Detroit. As of late, when the Devils have needed a big kill, they haven’t been able to get it. This is in large part because of goaltending and the inability to get a big save, but they also lack the aggression, particularly at the blue line, that they had earlier in the season.

All this game needed was a little Showtime! 🤩#LGRW pic.twitter.com/1Zbe63EBYW

— FanDuel Sports Network Detroit (@FanDuelSN_DET) October 25, 2024

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