New Jersey Devils
Why the Devils Say This Win Streak is Different
The Devils have won three games in a row for the first time in a long time. Here’s why they say this win streak is different.
NEWARK—The Mrs. Fields Linsanity run is in motion, and although it’s fun to point to the personified dessert as the New Jersey Devils’ propeller, that’s not why they’re on a three-game win streak.
It’s the Devils’ first time stringing along three wins in a row since Dec. 21st-27th.
Last week was a tough week. New Jersey dropped three straight games to the Vegas Golden Knights, Dallas Stars, and Winnipeg Jets. Three teams who are playoff-bound, and viewed as the juggernauts of the NHL.
In the process, they lost Jack Hughes and Dougie Hamilton to injury for the remainder of the season. That came after Jonas Siegenthaler’s season-ending injury.
Stringing together wins, especially against the top teams in the NHL, has been difficult enough as it is. They have yet to reach four wins in a row, and the injuries certainly don’t help.
Thursday night’s victory was the fifth time this season that they put together three consecutive wins.
However, the most recent string of wins feels different to the Devils. They’ve had to adjust their structure in the wake of injuries, and it’s paying off.
“We’re missing our No.1 defenseman and our No.1 player. Obviously [Siegenthaler] has been an absolute horse for us this year. Guys are stepping up. It’s not always going to be pretty. I think we have to understand that the offense that Jack and Dougie bring, [now, has] to come in a variety of different ways. Jack and dance and do things on his own. Dougie, he’s got his experience and the way he can play and shoot the puck.”
READ MORE: Which Devils Are Stepping Up in Absence of Jack Hughes, Key Players?
That’s no disrespect to the Devils’ stars, who are healthy and present. Jesper Bratt collected three points (1g, 2a) for a second straight night. The difference is whereas before it might’ve been on a highlight reel play alongside Hughes, the way the Devils are scoring goals now is different.
“But, you know, we got to step up and find ways to win and to get offense,” Allen continued. “And I think the guys are just finding that, grinding, playing solid, nothing pretty. Yeah, we’re going to get some nice goals, because we still have some really good players. But, you know, you see our two goals tonight in the third, just we haven’t had many of those in a long time. It’s just point shots, kudos to the guys.”
One of the buttons head coach Sheldon Keefe has pushed is moving Bratt down to the third line. The Swedish star forward wasn’t demoted. Keefe explained he’s spreading the wealth throughout the lineup, and it’s paying off.
Since Sunday’s tilt against the Philadelphia Flyers, the Devils’ third line has contributed four goals at even strength. Previously, the Devils’ depth was starved for offense. Erik Haula potted his first goal in 29 games and Paul Cotter was in a drought which warranted a healthy scratch.
Yet, the addition of Cody Glass has proven, thus far, to be a net positive. And Bratt’s inclusion on the third line is opening up the ice for others to score.
The depth scoring has really propelled the Devils as players like Nico Hischier and Timo Meier continue to contribute in the top-six.
“I think it’s just been a good feeling in the group that we feel like every single line is contributing in their way,” Bratt said. “Everyone is really finding their game, finding their structure. And I think that’s kind of what is the confidence boost for the whole team. It’s not just a few guys finding it apart, it’s everyone in the lineup that is really contributing right now.”
There’s a philosophy Keefe has recently adapted since the Devils’ circumstances have changed. It boils down to two words.
Sustain and overcome.
That’s what the Devils have been doing in this impressive stretch over the last three games.
They’ve separated themselves from those who are chasing them in the standings, beating a surprising Columbus Blue Jackets team on Tuesday. Another win on Thursday against the Edmonton Oilers gave the Devils an eight-point cushion in the standings after Columbus was shut out by the Vegas Golden Knights.
Thursday’s win felt different, however. It was the first time in a long time the Devils downed one of the NHLs top teams in a while. It adds to the Devils’ recent play of winning big games and collecting crucial points. Doing it without their top players makes it that much more impressive.
The Devils are still a good team, even with the significant absences from the lineup.
However, there’s a different buy in now. Even Keefe can see this string of wins feels different from before.
“Yeah, it does [feel different],” Keefe conceded to New Jersey Hockey Now. “These are great team wins, you know? I think there are individuals that are always going to step up, but I think we’ve been able to sustain our play for a few games here now, on the backs of just playing hard, [our] competitiveness and intensity, & structure. The guys are really bought into it, and that’s obviously a very high-end team here, up there.
“I know they got two on us, but I thought we did a pretty darn good job against that group for most of the game. That’s on the backs of everybody just being committed. So that gives us an opportunity to sustain our play. And with that, I think you can kind of overcome in any sort of circumstance, and that’s what we’ve been trying to build here. So really loved our response. Then there’s the trade deadline guys who have really come together and dug in. Obviously, we want that, want and need that to continue.”
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