New Jersey Devils
New Jersey Devils Stock Up/Stock Down: Jacked Hughes Edition
In this edition of Devils stock up/stock down, Jack Hughes is officially back, the fourth line struggles and more.
The New Jersey Devils returned from Western Canada early last week, riding high off a successful trip. In our last stock up/stock down, we analyzed what went right during their three-game swing up north and what was trending in the wrong direction.
Since coming home, they took down a struggling Montreal Canadiens team, snatched victory from the jaws of defeat against the New York Islanders, then, in one of the strangest games of the season, were shut out on home ice to the last place San Jose Sharks.
Devils Stock Up/Stock Down
Stock Up
Jack Hughes
If Jack Hughes started the season at 50% after his injury, he’s now buzzing around at about 95%. Yes, these are all arbitrary numbers, but Jack’s play over the last few games highlights his ability to take over games. His hands, playmaking, and transition play were all on display in a three-point performance against the Canadiens. He followed that up by playing hero ball against the Islanders, registering two more goals, including the overtime game-winner. What’s been most impressive about Jack over these last few games is the other areas of his game that are improving. He’s winning 44.5% of his face-offs over the last three games, the highest total of his career, and he’s doing more of the little things that it takes to win.
“The biggest thing that I’ve seen is just a number of puck battles that he’s winning,” said Keefe. “He’s getting the puck back for us a great deal. Defensively, he’s been very solid. You know, it’s just he’s in a groove, he’s an elite player, and he’s in a group that when those guys are feeling like that, they’re hard to contend with.”
Say it with us… "Jack Hughes is inevitable." pic.twitter.com/eCFaz3RzfY
— New Jersey Devils (@NJDevils) November 10, 2024
Stock Down
Taking Advantage
This one is more specific to the San Jose game, but the Devils need to do a better job accruing points against inferior teams. It was something that plagued them all last year, and it’s seeped in at times this season. Head coach Sheldon Keefe even said postgame that despite their 44 shots on goal, they “made life easy on him [Sharks goalie MacKenzie Blackwood], quite honestly.” Of those 44 shots, only nine were high-danger chances. It felt like a game the Devils felt they could get by on having greater talent, but they played too cute and didn’t put enough pressure on the Sharks until late in the third period. There may not be an easier game on the schedule than the Sharks at home, and for the second time in as many years, they squandered the two points.
44/44 saves?
Head coach Sheldon Keefe says the #NJDevils "made life easy" en route to the 1-0 shutout for the Sharks goaltender⤵️https://t.co/FhSCaewYXD
— James Nichols (@JamesNicholsNHL) November 11, 2024
Stock Up
Stefan Noesen
Stefan Noesen needs to be getting more love from the Devil’s fanbase. He’s been better than anticipated since signing from Carolina and continues to have an impact in all situations. Adding him as a net-front presence has created more chances on the power play, is a net-positive penalty killer and sits in the top 20 in the NHL for Goals Above Expected. His late, game-tying goal against the Islanders shows how much of the coach’s trust he’s earned to be out there late in critical situations. As the season wears on and games get tighter, a player who can do a bit of everything, like Noesen, becomes extremely valuable.
YES! YES! YES! pic.twitter.com/Xq5lZqw2jb
— New Jersey Devils (@NJDevils) November 10, 2024
Stock Down
Fourth Line
With injuries to Curtis Lazar and Nathan Bastian, the Devils fourth line is a bit of a mess right now. Tomas Tatar has done a fine job but has had his ice time decreased severely, while Justin Dowling and Kurtis MacDermid are playing just how everyone expected. The Devils cannot afford to roll out a fourth line that’s averaging under five minutes of ice time together over the last four games. Whether it be an AHL call-up or a trade, General Manager Tom Fitzgerald needs to add something to the fourth line to get them going. Keefe will need to be able to roll all four lines to preserve energy throughout games and the season, and right now, he can’t do that with this fourth line.
RELATED: Devils Current Fourth Line Is Not Sustainable; What Can They Do?
