New Jersey Devils

Here’s Why Timo Meier is Staying on the Devils Second Power Play, For Now

New Jersey Devils head coach Sheldon Keefe explained why Timo Meier won’t be elevated to the top power play, for now.

Published

4 months ago

January 29, 2025

New Jersey Devils' Timo Meier (28) celebrates after scoring his third goal against the St. Louis Blues, during the second period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, March 7, 2024, in Newark, N.J. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

NEWARK—Now that the New Jersey Devils have officially ruled out their captain, there are holes in the lineup that will need to be plugged. At 5-on-5, the natural player to fill the void has been Dawson Mercer. However, on the power play, it doesn’t necessarily need to be a one-for-one switch. That should have opened the door for Timo Meier to move up to the top unit on the man advantage. However, it was explained he’ll stay put, for now.

In their first game without Nico Hischier, it was Ondrej Palat who was elevated to the first unit power play against the Philadelphia Flyers on Monday.

When asked, head coach Sheldon Keefe explained they considered elevating Meier, and are continuing to evaluate the best fit on the top unit.

“Yeah, we’ve had that conversation,” Keefe explained to New Jersey Hockey Now. “We have some adjustments in mind. But also, we’ve seen Timo on that first unit earlier in the season didn’t like it.”

Early in the 2024-25 season, Meier was moved to the second unit in favor of Stefan Noesen.

That move has worked out well for Noesen. He’s potted nine power play goals this season, which is a career high thus far.

The idea is that there were too many play-drivers with Meier on the first unit that command the puck.

Therefore, Keefe and Co. decided the second unit needs support as well, which is where Meier will stay for at least Wednesday’s tilt.

“We also need some help on the second unit, too,” Keefe said. “So that’s all part of it, but we’ll continue to look at it. Palat will be there to start the game tonight.”

The Devils got an early four-minute power play in Monday night’s tilt that essentially went to waste. The result was a deflated Devils team who quickly went to the penalty kill and then gave up the lead on the Flyers’ man advantage.

“The power play killed us. The four-minute power play was the worst of the season, and it sucked the life out of our game,” Keefe explained after the loss.

Keefe explained the first unit with Palat in place of Hischier looked quite good. It was the second unit that struggled, and Keefe believes removing Meier from that unit make them even weaker.

“Actually, looking back at it, the first unit was a lot better than I thought,” Keefe said. “The second unit was not good at all. And having the four-minute power play as much as we did, we had to lean on the second unit. So, taking [Meier] away from that unit doesn’t appeal to me too much at this point. We’ll trust the first group to get it going tonight.”

The Devils went 0/3 on the man advantage against the Flyers earlier this week. In fact, they gave the Flyers scoring chances as a result of sloppy play.

Overall, the Devils’ power play hasn’t been as dominant as it was at the beginning of the season, when it was statistically No.1 overall in the NHL at upwards of 36% conversion rate. It’s since fallen to about 28% over the last month.

In the face of adversity amid injuries, Keefe explained the Devils need the special teams to work as a boost as opposed to a hindrance.

“You’re playing games here without key players. You have to hold the fort down at 5-on-5, and you have to win the game on special teams,” Keefe said. “You out our power play and penalty kill together, we’re the best team in the NHL on special teams. It’s got to win us games, especially right now. And to me, it lost us the game the other night, and that’s not good enough. That is not going to help us overcome the adversity that we’ve got.”

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