Hey, Devils Fans.
This will likely be my last article before the long Olympic break, so I figured it would be a good opportunity to deep dive into some of my bigger picture thoughts on the Devils, and mainly, the lack of scoring this team has been plagued by for quite some time now. I will discuss the Bjugstad trade, Jack's injury, and tonight's game towards the end of the article (if you can make it that far, LOL).
SAL, WHY CAN’T THIS TEAM SCORE?!
I know, that's the burning question that everyone continues to want answers to... But the reality is that the lack of finish just continues to haunt the Devils. Despite their process generating the 11th-highest rate of HD Chances, and being expected to score the 13th-highest rate of goals (SportLogiq), their execution and finish is 31st. And because this inability to finish has lasted for the majority of the last 40+ games now, this team has completely lost its confidence. Too many players are snakebitten at once, and everyone’s pace of production is well below their totals from last season, or in the case of Dougie, not close enough back towards his 22 goals from his last fully healthy season with the Devils (2022-23). 
DISSECTING THINGS FURTHER
Hopefully, this three-week break is a great opportunity for the coaching staff to really look under the hood and dissect what's going on with this team, because when you look bigger picture, the scoring has been a major unresolved issue ever since returning from the Christmas break last season. No team has scored a lower rate of goals than the Devils (2.55 GF/GP) in a sample set of over 100 GP since then.
Yes, everyone has been able to point to injuries in this timespan as a scapegoat excuse for the offense drying up, but this issue has turned into way too large a sample size with this core for that to be viable.
Upon digging deeper into this, I decided to go back to see where the Devils ranked from March 9, 2024 – when the Devils traded Tyler Toffoli to WPG – up until the Christmas break last season, because I know this same core once was scoring goals at a high rate, even without Toffoli (arguably the one significant goalscorer the Devils have subtracted in the last few seasons). And to no surpise, my query showed that the Devils scored at the 13th-highest rate (3.20 GF/GP) in their first 50+ games without Toffoli in this date range.
So, that’s why I said at the beginning of this that the coaching staff really needs to do some reconstructive surgery on their offensive principles, because, again, this is the same core that was once scoring at a rate that was in the top half of the league. They should be far from dead last!
Nobody is expecting this to magically turn around against an elite goalie like Sorokin tonight — who stopped 7 Goals Above Expected in his two starts against the Devils this season — but you have to find a way to manufacture a couple of goals and get at least a point out of this game. Then, figure it out after the break.
CORE FOUR 5v5 DROUGHT
If one thing is for certain, the "Core 4" – Jack, Nico, Bratter, Timo – need to go build up their confidence in the Olympics, because what can't happen again after the break is these four guys having another 10-game stretch with three (!) combined 5v5 PTS!!!! 
JACKLESS AGAIN
Optically, I know how it looks that Jack hasn’t been able to play these last three critical games for the Devils, and is now reported to be healthy in time for the Olympics. But the reality is that, as frustrating as it is to be without Jack, it would have been even worse if he was held back from playing in the Olympics. As I talked about a couple of articles ago, that would be an emotional blow that might take him a very long time to recover from, similar to how we've seen Marky struggle ever since missing 4 Nations.
We have to hope that Jack gets an unbelievable Olympic bump and that his vintage self comes back from Milan to help this team go on a heater. If that doesn’t happen, then we can revisit this!
And obviously, for tonight's game, you have to find a way to manufacture goals, as only one goal and 0/11 on the PP in the two full games without him is not good enough.
NICK BJUGSTAD
Making his NJD debut tonight will be big 6'6" Nick Bjugstad, who Fitzy acquired via trade from STL yesterday. This was a much-needed addition down the middle for the rest of this season, and I like that he is signed at a reasonable price ($1.75M) through the end of next season, as well.
Despite putting up only 6-1–7 PTS this season with the Blues, Bjugstad is only two seasons removed from 22 Goals w/ the Coyotes, and 16 of those goals came in his last 36 GP that season. So, I believe he still has the upside to get hot and provide some depth scoring if this change of scenery bodes well for him.
Plus, with the Devils desperate for goals right now, I also like the fact that the last time Bjugstad was traded (from ARZ to EDM in March 2023), he went out and scored a big goal in his debut with the Oilers, and ultimately scored 3 goals in his first 8 GP with his new team. Fingers crossed, he has a similar start with the Devils!
PLAY FOR PRIDE
After Tuesday night’s loss (and NYI's OT win over PIT), it is obviously looking very difficult for the Devils to attain a playoff spot at this point. But that doesn’t change the fact that you have to look at each game ahead of you and be a pro.
For me, what will be telling about this team is the response we get based on what happened at UBS Arena in January. Because of the fact that they were embarrassed 9-0 in that game, the level of pride, urgency, intensity, and revenge undertone has to be evident throughout the entire 60 minutes of this one.
Standings aside, the reality is that this game will be a reflection of what this team’s character is made of. None of these guys should be coming into this game without the expectation of putting a beating on the Isles.
I'm looking forward to having Schneids join Rachel and me at the desk again tonight! Tune in as we break down the Bjugstad trade, the Metro standings, the lack of scoring, and some keys to beating Sorokin tonight. This will likely be my last article before the long Olympic break, so I hope you all enjoy watching the games and Team Canada taking home gold! 🇨🇦
-Sal
